1996 Jaguar XJ220

It was at the 1988 British Motor Show that the sensational Jaguar XJ220 concept prototype was first revealed to the public and, predictably, orders and the mandatory £80,000 deposits flooded in from all corners of the world. Producing an impressive 549bhp at 7,000rpm and 473lb.ft at 4,500rpm. Now slightly shorter, by some 10 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.

Combined with 0-60mph acceleration in a brutal 3.5 seconds, the XJ220 was indisputably the fastest road car on the planet. Thanks to racing 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 at a purpose-built factory at Bloxham in Oxfordshire with the first cars delivered in July to, amongst other well known names, Elton John and the Sultan of Brunei. On the race track, the Jaguar also proved highly effective: in the competition version, the XJ220C, another sportscar ace, Win Percy, took victory on the car's race debut in the BRDC National Sports GT Challenge. In the 1993 Le Mans 24 Hours John Nielsen, David Brabham and David Coulthard finished first in the GT class, though only for their XJ220C to be subsequently disqualified over a spurious technical infringement.

Manufactured in 1996 and first registered in the UK in May 2001, this left hand drive car was purchased by the current owner 3 years ago with a total mileage of 3,576 kilometres. The car has now covered only 4,103 kilometres and has been professionally laid up and stored as part of a very significant private collection. In February 2011 it was sent to the respected Jaguar specialists "Don Law" where it had a new fuel cell fitted and all fuel hoses replaced with stainless steel over braided, along with a full 24 month comprehensive service.

Finished in striking Silverstone green with sand leather interior this XJ220 is perhaps the finest example on the market today and is supplied with the original owner's service manuals and original tool kit, as well as a UK V5C registration document. With only 281 examples produced, the XJ220 is a rare beast indeed and offers genuine 200+mph performance at a fraction of the cost of its contemporaries. Now finally being recognised by Historic collectors globally values are starting to climb.