Car is in great shape, does not seem to have any particular issues. It starts from cold with no smoke, heat and A/C work, no clonking from the suspension and it shifts smoothly. All told it seems like a great example. It has had 6 owners, worryingly the last two for a year each. It spent ~5 years of its life in NY/NJ but doesn't seem to have any tin worm that I can find.

The car is non smoker, no damage history on Carfax (not that that is worth much) and has just been re-upholstered. 122K miles and the dealer is asking just $2,500 for it.

This would be a weekend/occasional car and not a daily driver (I have an '09 XF SC for that!). I'd like to think that the last year for the V12 XJ would not drop too much further and might even start to climb if I keep it long enough!

1994 Jaguar XJ12

My heart says yes, wife says no, but I can probably bring her round and we do have an empty space in the garage....

Ok final question, the 4th digit of the VIN is M, (SAJMX1342RC700682) which the XJ40 wiki implies that it is a fabled Majestic. How can I tell apart from the 'M', are there any visual clues?

What say you all?

 

Hi Tim,

I can't help you with the Majestic part, other than to mention that all the (few) Majestics I've seen photos of were metallic red, had unique lattice wheels, and a Majestic badge on the trunk/boot.

The car you're looking at is a beauty and the price isn't bad, especially with the new upholstery. If I'm not mistaken, the wheels are missing their center caps. Otherwise it looks great and there is no doubt that you will love driving it!

Cheers,

Don

 

Is the license plate panel on the rear deck lid white?
The "M" says it's a Majestic and is in the correct location in the VIN so it is.
There were about 127 Majestics built in '93-'94.
Not sure if they were all V12s or only some.


The '89 - '90 Majestics (527 built) were indeed regency red.
I own a '90. The Majestic is a very special car; whatever its build date or engine'


If you buy welcome to a very exclusive club, even if some unsophisticated types consider Majestics to be
worn out "s**tboxes.

 

Total letdown.
Went to see it in person, having been told on the 'phone earlier that day that the car goes, runs, stops, new leather no clonking etc. Turns out that the dealer is a total liar (no surprise there then).

Car was a smoker.
Battery was half flat and it didn't start.
The leather had just been painted with some very foul smelling paint that was cracking as I sat on it with overspray all over the place.
The drivers door lock was broken.
Antenna didn't go up.
Half the seat controls didn't work.
No remote.
Only one key.
No manuals or service history.
New radiator which I think meant that the PO had tried to solve some overheating issues, eek!
Under the hood was a complete mess, various engine bits floating around unsecured, tie wraps everywhere.
Water, mouldy carpet and rust in the trunk.
All 4 tires and the spare were all in need of replacement.
Peeling tint on the windows and generally very tatty all round.

I walked away after 5 minutes as it was obviously not as described and would be a money pit. To cap it all it was not a Majestic, or even a XJL despite having the M in the VIN (verified by eye).

I am starting to think that I should of bought an almost mint '94 XJ40 that I looked at when I lived in Austin 5 years ago.

Oh well.

 

There are two 93/94 XJ12s advertised on Ebay tonight and they both have "M" as the
fourth character of the VIN. I am going to have to research the later model Majestic more.
BTW, some dealers have no ethics...