1982 Jaguar TWR XJS FIA Touring Car to 'Group A' specification

Silverstone Auctions are representing this XJS on behalf of our vendor, utilising information provided by him and those involved in inspecting and subsequently writing about the car, plus those who have restored and prepared it. We are presenting all of this material here for the benefit of any potential buyer and instruct him/her to fully read all of this, research and read-around the history of the TWR XJS cars and invite any inspection of this particular car.

Information offered up from the aforementioned persons to Silverstone Auctions:

A remarkable piece of racing history, this is the original TWR XJS Jaguar show car owned and displayed, in period, at ETCC races by Jaguar Cars. Purchased directly from Jaguar by John Pearson of HP Tyres, then by Brian Stevens; since 2012 it has formed part of the Chris Scragg Race Collection. During its restoration by M&C Wilkinson to race specification, compelling evidence has come to light to suggest that this vehicle could in fact possibly be the prototype development car - Chassis #1.

Having previously been stripped of its engine and retained by Jaguar as a show car for use in promoting the race series, the XJS had fallen into the hands of Jaguar Heritage Trust where it continued to be exhibited as an example of a race series ‘show car’. Later, it was fitted with a standard XJS 5.3-litre V12 production engine and inboard rear brakes for display purposes at shows.

When the Trust decided to sell the car, it was purchased by John Pearson, renowned Jaguar enthusiast, who then quickly sold it to Brian Stevens, who purchased it with a view to using it for racing. Retaining the paint scheme, the engine was replaced by a full-race Rob Beere unit with throttle bodies, (a fibreglass bonnet is used to accommodate the bulge although the original is retained), outboard rear brakes, a 5-speed Getrag manual gearbox, catch tanks and an alloy fuel tank. The underside was cleaned and painted white, with perspex door windows and a roll-cage fitted. Finally, in 2010, a PAS steering rack replaced the manual steering. The car was then put up for sale as it did not meet the specification requirements to acquire FIA papers and it was acquired by Chris Scragg.

Chris entrusted the car to Mike Wilkinson to prepare it to the correct racing specification and during 2012 the car was raced several times. Chris competed at Brands Hatch and was about to the take the lead, when, with only minutes to go, a wheel bearing failed forcing him to retire from the race early. At the Silverstone Classic, his son, Ant Scragg triumphed over the competition going on to win the ‘Win Percy Trophy’.

With preparation now complete, the FIA papers were acquired with a view to selling on the car. However, a chance meeting with an ex-employee of TWR at the 2012 Stoneleigh Historic Racing Car Show raised the possible historical significance of this vehicle, which until this point had been lost. His assertion was that this XJS was ‘Tom’s Hack’.

The vehicle was returned to Mike Wilkinson’s workshop for further investigation to see if this could be the original TWR001 that competed in the 1982 championship and the findings are well documented in Nigel Thorley’s article ‘The Car that never was or still is!’ in the December 2013 edition of the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club Magazine. Chris decided to restore this vehicle to its 1982 Donington TT specification and livery.

The car is now beautifully restored, in intimate detail, to the Chassis #001 spec, featuring many original and unique TWR original components. This vehicle comes with new 10-year FIA Papers and a spares package.