Hello Folks, I’m on a quest to find my late Father’s car. My Father was a Jaguar enthusiast, he owned 3, a J plate series 1 xj 4.2 in dark blue, a brown M reg xj 4.2 which was so unreliable and leaked oil and hydraulic fluid almost from every pore. His final car was a 1977 S reg 4.2 xjc in white with a blue velour interior. He owned it from new until his death in 1979.
For a bit of fun in November I checked the registration number on the mot system and discovered the car still existed. The XJ data site shows the car going through auctions in 2012/13 but since then no sign of it. The DVLA show it as having been exported. I’ve checked with Ireland and they advise it isn’t there so I’m assuming NI perhaps but no confirmation has yet been possible.
If anyone knows of the car, UK reg UYR447S a white XJC with a black vinyl roof I’d love some details.
I’d like to acquire the car in part for sentimental reasons but also for my Mother who is quite elderly and it would bring back some positive memories for her.
I can’t help you as to whereabouts now but I did see and briefly inspect that car at the Historics auction it is shown as being sold at 2011/2012 IIRC. At that time the drivers seat mechanism looked to be FUBAR as it was immovable at a crazy angle but apart from that looked to be in OK condition whilst still in need of both use and TLC.
Have you tried to follow the trace of the auction? Maybe you can impress the person at the auctioning house enough to pass on your request to the person who bought it - might be a coincidence, but even after nine years there might be some computer data left.
Thanks Jochen, I’ve spoken to the dealer who sold the car in 2011 to a publican in Burnham on Crouch, the car then went to auction in 2012 and again in 2013 But it didn’t sell at the second auction. At that point the trail goes cold save for it being exported on dvla records to I think Northern Ireland.
So I’m hopeful someone will see this thread and get in touch.
with a strong probability on Northern Ireland, where a white XJ Coupe should not be parked under every other street light, it would seem good advice to turn to local car clubs, the NI division of JEC and the like. Frankly, I’m not sure whether this part of the world is represented on this list at all.
Hi Paul,
I know a lot about this car.
My grandfather bought it in 1979. He used it daily until his death in 1989 where my father inherited it. It was garaged, cared for and then sorn from about 1996 until he sold it in 2000. He sold it for £1000. It needed work doing and the gearbox to be overhauled. It was sold to an enthusiast who had it locked away I believe in Maldon in Essex for around 12 years. He then sold it and I went to visit it in Vauxhall, Lonfon in approx 2013. The car was still completely original as it was from my Father. No paintwork sprayed at all and the interior as it was born. I went with the intention of buying it back but it needed all new seals and some rust attending to around the doors and bulkhead. It was too much for me at that time. I have the most amazing childhood memories of being in the Jag ( i was born in 86.) Ive been trying to track it since but like yourself cannot find anything on its location either. Happy to take a call from you if you want to discu further. Happy searching and if you do find/buy it, please give me a shout. Chris
Thanks for the message about the car, it is pleasing to know it was loved when sold to your Grandfather. It was a firm favourite of my Fathers and his early death at just 43 meant my Mother had no use for the car and as I was only 15 at the time I couldn’t have done anything with it or appreciated it.
The owner in Maldon or Burnham was a publican who put it through an auction house and after that it went to Silverstone Auctions but didn’t sell and then in 2013 it was marked as exported. The car isn’t in Northern Ireland or Eire so I’m guessing Australia or NZ but no joy thus far in locating her.
I hope to find the car but I fear I am a few years too late.