Having loved XJS’s for as long as I can remember I was always on the lookout for that ‘special’ car. In December 1992 I saw an ad from a Unique Cars magazine. The ad featured the above photo and read:
' THIS RARE MANUAL JAGUAR XJS V12 (1975) was the original car tested in the English Autocar Magazine (February 1976 issue). Genuine 57,000 miles, immaculate condition...'
You will notice that the original external mirror has already been removed in this ad and its second British number plate was still affixed (the first number being LDU 870P).
In April 1994 another ad appeared with the above photo and it read:
'RARE MANUAL JAGUAR XJS V12 (1975) Perfect condition, as tested in Autocar Magazine, Long history, absolutely everything original. Genuine 57,000 miles'
I told my wife that I would one day own this car, cut out the ad and laminated it. The ad says that the car was tested in English Autocar Magazine (February 1976 issue). In fact, this is incorrect. Below is the complete list of magazines where this car was tested.
This car was originally registered on 15 September 1975 by Jaguar Cars Ltd (LDU 870P) and used as a press car from 1975 until 1978. It was used as a test vehicle for writers of car magazine reviews and featured in the following magazines:
1. Motor 21 February 1976: Jaguar XJ-S: tank or supercar?
2. Autosport 1 April 1976: XJS: nothing but the best
3. What Car? August 1976: The 10 Grand Tourer
4. Car August 1976: Giant test
5. Autosport 5 January 1978: Travelling in grand style
I have an original copy of each of these magazines. There is at least one photo of the speedo showing this car travelling at 148 mph (a phenominal sped for a road car in 1975!)
The engine number is 8S 3143 SA, the chassis number is 2W 1131 and it was the 131st right hand drive XJS built. It was built on 21 August 1975 - 20 days before the official world release on 10 September.
The car used in the 1975 TV series ‘The Saint’ was built on 22 August 1975. Chassis no. 2W1138 (7 cars after this car), engine no 8S 1166SA, gearbox no KM1004, rego PWK530R and the 138th XJS built. It lives in the north of England ad is in good condition.
