1974 Jaguar XJ12L (LWB) 5.3 Series 2

• Quite possibly the lowest mileage, most original XJ12 LWB Series 2 example available anywhere
• Just 9,500 miles from new, supported by an extensive service history, previous MOT Certificates, plus detailed hand-written notes
• Always privately owned by genuine Jaguar enthusiasts, with known continuity of ownership
• Accompanied by its original Bill of Sale, period invoices, handbooks, service book, and maintenance charts, all in the correct, undamaged Jaguar wallet
• The ultimate example in the model range with its silky smooth 5.3-litre V12, it was as fast as it was stylish
• One of the few and desirable carburettor examples made during the first year of Series 2 production
• Elegantly finished in Dark Blue with Dark Blue leather, this XJ is the epitome of 1970s luxury motoring
• The long wheelbase Jaguar XJ12: the rare Executive model and the reserve of CEOs and cabinet ministers

By the mid-to-late 1960s, competition for the lucrative luxury car market was led by Jaguar with the successful Mk10, Mk2, S-Type and 420 saloons. However, it had been clear for some time that if Jaguar were to remain at the top of this sector into the 1970s and beyond there was a pressing need to develop just one saloon to replace all of the cars in the existing range. To succeed the new car would need to be very special indeed. It was - the all-new XJ range made its debut in 1968 at London’s Earls Court Motor Show. The car was an immediate success with the public overwhelmed by this new large luxury Jaguar. However, perhaps of greater importance, was the attention from the motoring press. It is doubtful that any car had ever received such unqualified praise from the press as the XJ did.

So overwhelmed by the XJ range were the motoring press that Jaguar themselves produced a 21-page booklet which they called ‘Praise indeed’ which contained almost 100 thoroughly positive press comments. Almost overnight from its launch the XJ became and remained until production ended, the ‘must have’ luxury car.

1973 saw the introduction of the improved Series 2 range, luxuriously appointed and with a ride quality unequalled in its day, it’s no wonder that it won the accolade ‘The Best Car in the World’. The new model had more power, featured a raised front bumper and shallower grill, the interior was redesigned, the ventilation improved, and the car benefited from more rear leg room.By the mid-1970s, the most popular XJ was the 4.2 version with automatic gear box. The ultimate model though was the silky-smooth, exceptionally quick and quiet to drive XJ12 with its 5.3-litre engine.

Jaguar enthusiasts agree, that to find an XJ12 which is totally period-correct in original condition with exceptionally low mileage, is very rare indeed. Due to the 70s fuel crisis, most of them were company-owned and covered big mileages. However, here we have one. The car presented here, quite astonishingly, has covered just 9,500 miles from new, with lots of supporting evidence and clear continuity of ownership, this is a collector’s dream.

On the 14th September 1974, the first owner of ‘LFM 405N’ travelled the 10 or so miles from his home to ‘James Winsor & Son’, Jaguar dealers on Nottingham Road in Mansfield, to collect this XJ12 that he had specially ordered in Dark Blue with Dark Blue trim. The original Bill of Sale (present in the history file) shows that the car was supplied with Tinted Glass and a Radiomobile 108 SR Radio/8 Track player, which remains in place today, and front fog and spotlights. A supplementary invoice details Jaguar chrome side trims being supplied and fitted. Period hand-written details also explain that Jaguar chrome-plated wheels, door mirrors (period Paddy Hopkirk types), four door-mounted speakers, an electric aerial, and underseal/early cavity rust-proofing were to be added.

LFM 405N was first registered the day before its collection, the 13th September 1974, with the owner’s cherished registration number.

Servicing was carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and much of it done by the supplying dealer, as illustrated by invoices in the history file. Attached to some copies of those invoices are very neat and precise handwritten instructions to the garage, plus further clarity about what work had been carried out. The first owner went on to keep his beloved XJ12 for over 30 years. The last MOT that he had carried out in 2004 shows that the car had covered just 3,998 since new. All of the previous MOTs are also in the file, many carried out by the supplying dealer, and help verify the ultra-low mileage

In May 2005, LFM 405N was acquired by its second owner, a Jaguar enthusiast. Although registered to an address in Birmingham, shortly after it was acquired it was shipped to Southern Ireland to be added to a car collection. In 2006, LFM 405N, still with the first owner’s cherished registration number, was driven to Enniskillen in Northern Ireland to acquire a UK test certificate to enable it to remain on its UK plates. The mileage towards the end of 2006 recorded on that test certificate had risen to just 5,614.

In 2011, LFM 405N returned to the mainland, still on its private plate, and an MOT in the file records the mileage at 7,691. In 2013 and with 7,766 miles, it was acquired from one of the country's leading prestige car dealers, by its third owner and, around this time, the current registration number was issued.

The third owner, in his mid-sixties when he bought the car, is an extremely well-respected Hong Kong-based architect/interior designer, who the Chinese press call ‘Hong Kong's Father of interior design'. LFM 405N was used as his car on the rare occasions that he was in the UK working on some of London most prestigious design projects. When it was not in use, it was laid up under covers in private London garaging and in the care of the owner’s UK representative. During his 5-year ownership, the XJ12 covered just a further 1,500 miles or so before the owner now in his seventies returned to Hong Kong on a more permanent basis.

The last owner of LFM 405N only sold it as he had the opportunity to purchase a Series 2 Coupé, that being his dream car for a number of years.

Our vendor now, also an avid Jaguar collector, is sad to part with such a special car which has form part of his eclectic collection, however, the realisation that ‘you can’t keep them all’ affects even the most hardened collectors.