1992 Jaguar XJ220

• One of only 281 ever built!
• Completed on 20/11/1992 and despatched to Germany on 18/12/1992
• Finished in rare Le Mans Blue Metallic with Smoke Grey leather
• Modified in 2001 to comply with California emissions regulations
• Welcome in the US. EPA and CARB emission control certified
• Serviced/new clutch ($10,400) at North Coast Exotics of Cleveland, Feb 2009
• Returned to the UK in 2013 to join the world's foremost supercar collection
• New MOT valid until July 2021

It was at the 1988 British Motor Show in Birmingham, appropriately, that the sensational Jaguar XJ220 concept prototype was first revealed to the public and, as expected, orders and the required ú50,000 deposits flooded in from all corners of the world. The original concept was for a V12 engined car with a six-speed gearbox and four-wheel drive priced at just under ú300,000. However, some four years later when production commenced, the XJ220 had become a two-wheel drive, twin-turbo V6 with a five-speed box on offer at ú470,000. Predictably many of the 1,200 option holders tried to cancel their purchase blaming the massive change in the specification but the collapse in values of collectable supercars at the time was probably more of a factor. Eventually, the car found 275 buyers and the others don't know what they missed. Producing an impressive 549bhp at 7,000rpm and 473lb.ft at 4,500rpm and now slightly shorter by some ten inches courtesy of the smaller dimensions of the V6 engine against the bulky V12, but still, with a not inconsiderable girth of six feet and six inches, the XJ220 proved more than capable of reaching its target maximum speed. In 1992 at the Italian Nardo test track Formula One and sportscar ace, Martin Brundle, recorded 212.3mph around the banking in standard trim and 217.1mph with the catalytic converters disconnected, the latter speed equivalent to 223mph on a straight road.

With 0-60mph acceleration in a brutal 3.5 seconds, the XJ220 was indisputably the fastest road car on the planet at that time and, thanks to motorsport-developed, inboard wishbone suspension and huge ventilated disc brakes with four-piston calipers, it held the road beautifully and stopped equally as well. Production of the car began the following year in a purpose-built factory at Bloxham in Oxfordshire with the first cars delivered in July. On the circuits, the Jaguar also proved highly effective. In the full-race version, the XJ220C, another sports car ace, Win Percy, took victory on the car's race debut in the BRDC National Sports GT Challenge and in the 1993 Le Mans 24 Hours, John Nielsen, David Brabham and David Coulthard finished first in the GT class.

This particular car is finished in a beautiful dark Le Mans Blue metallic with Smoke Grey leather hides and, like all XJ220s, is equipped with factory air conditioning. It was completed on 20th November 1992 and departed Bloxham on 18th December destined for its first owner in Germany, arriving just in time for Christmas.

Modifications to enable the Jaguar to conform to Californian emissions regulations were completed on 27th June 2001 and it is now compliant with U.S. EPA and CARB emission control regulations applicable to 1992 passenger cars. Following this certification, the XJ spent 12 years in the USA.

In February 2009, the car was entrusted to North Coast Exotics, of Cleveland, Ohio for maintenance and repairs, and the account for this was in excess of $10,400. The invoice for this work is in the Owner's File and details the installation of a new clutch and slave cylinder and the replacement of timing belts, tensioners, spark plugs, and air, oil, and fuel filters, as well as all fluids. A few years later, in 2013, the car was repatriated to the UK to join, what must be the most complete collection of supercars anywhere, sharing a garage with a complete set of Ferrari 'F' cars, a McLaren F1 GTR and Mercedes CLK GTR AMG and everything in between from the Miura to a 'World Speed Record' Veyron.

The Jaguar is accompanied by its, very smartly presented, XJ220 manuals in the original Smoke Grey leather owner's wallet, its V5C, older MOT/SORN ref, US-Title and ownership docs, the invoice from North Coast Exotics, HMRC import paperwork and a copy of the January 2013 RM Auctions Catalogue at which the car was sold

Maintained within the vendor's collection in more recent times and with a new MOT just prior to the sale, this particular car remains a stunning example of Jaguar's iconic 'Supercar', and in arguably the best colour combination!