Jaguar XJ5.3C

TIPPED BY: MARTIN CHISHOLM

‘It’s a phenomenal engine in a heck of a car,’ says Martin. ‘Before they were seen as classics they were the choice of banger racers… which means they’re now pretty rare.’

The XJC is certainly a model that’s found its fanbase fairly recently. Ten years ago, there was little difference in values between the Coupé and the XJ saloon, but that’s no longer the case, with the best coupés now advertised north of £35k in the trade, while even the smartest XJ Series 2 saloon struggles to reach £20k. So can we really find one for our £25k budget? Martin thinks so, but points out you won’t be buying a concours car.

‘If I went out with £25k in cash and started hunting around, I reckon I could find one. Might be at the back of a workshop covered in dust, because the V12 engine has frightened the owner, but they’re still out there.’

We’re not recommending a basket case for restoration, either. Just as a running, driving 4.2-litre six-cylinder XJCS still appear for £15,000, so the V12s can be had for something under our limit. A survivor fresh out of dry storage is a better bet than a tarted-up example that’s running well but full of filler. Although the V12 looks intimidating, mechanical recommissioning will still be cheaper and quicker than the terrors you’ll encounter when fixing a rusty bodyshell.

The XJC had a slow start to production thanks to issues with weather-sealing the pillarless coupé body, but eventually some 10,400 were made between 1973 and 1978, of which about 2250 were V12s. Those left on the road may number in the dozens rather than hundreds now, with rather more six-cylinder cars around. So why not a 4.2 version? Much the same waft, all the same visual appeal. That’s missing the point, says Martin.

‘Go and smoke a V12 while you can. No-one is going to come out with a V12 ever again, are they?’