1997 Jaguar XJR 4.0 Supercharged
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Price - £16,995
Year - 1997
Mileage - 76,254 miles
The X300 generation marked an important point in Jaguar's history. Introduced in the mid-1990s, it retained much of the traditional styling and character associated with the marque, but underneath was a considerably more modern car than the XJ40 it replaced.
Sitting at the top of the performance range was the XJR. Powered by Jaguar's supercharged 4.0-litre AJ16 straight-six, the X300 XJR offered around 320bhp in factory form and combined genuine performance with the understated appearance, comfort and refinement expected of a Jaguar saloon. It was also produced for a relatively short period before the supercharged straight-six gave way to the later V8-powered X308.
Today, a good X300 XJR is becoming increasingly difficult to find, particularly one with sensible mileage, strong provenance and a properly documented history.
The car offered here is rather more unusual again.
Finished in Antigua Blue with Cream leather, this 1997 XJR has covered just 76,254 miles and retains a remarkably discreet, largely factory appearance. Beneath the surface, however, it has undergone an extensive and very well documented programme of mechanical development, including a five-speed manual conversion carried out by respected Jaguar specialist Tom Lenthall Ltd, followed by MaxxECU standalone engine management, drive-by-wire throttle integration and dyno tuning by Swallows Racing, together with Brembo brakes and a stainless sports exhaust system.
With 362.3bhp and approximately 425lb ft, performance is broadly comparable with the later supercharged V8 XJR models, while the torque output actually exceeds that of both the subsequent 4.0-litre X308 and 4.2-litre X350 XJR. More importantly, over 400lb ft is available from around 2,000rpm to beyond 4,500rpm
Crucially, this isn't a modified XJR with an unknown past. The accompanying history is exceptional and traces the car from new through almost three decades of ownership, maintenance and development.
History and Provenance
This example was manufactured on 16 December 1996, dispatched on 31 December and first registered on 21 March 1997.
The accompanying Jaguar Heritage Production Record Trace Certificate confirms its original specification as an X300 XJR 4.0 Supercharged saloon, supplied through Dutton Forshaw in Stockton-on-Tees and finished from new in Antigua with Cream trim.
The original Jaguar book pack remains with the car, including the service book, which begins with its pre-delivery inspection at just 18 miles.
From there the mileage and maintenance history is particularly comprehensive, with recorded servicing at:
10,069 miles – 1998
13,984 miles – 2000
25,966 miles – 2001
36,074 miles – 2004
45,108 miles – 2008
54,128 miles – 2011
63,111 miles – 2016
64,505 miles – 2017
66,273 miles – 2018
67,070 miles – 2019
69,281 miles – 2020
72,003 miles – 2022
74,714 miles – 2023
74,797 miles – 2025
76,001 miles – 2026
The history file contains a very large quantity of invoices from Jaguar main dealers and respected independent specialists, including H.A. Fox Jaguar, Guy Salmon Jaguar, Beechdown Garage, Coopercraft, Tom Lenthall and Swallows Racing.
From the invoices currently present with the car, there is in excess of £33,000 of documented expenditure, and that figure does not include work supported only by service-book entries or invoices no longer present.
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Five-Speed Manual Conversion
Although genuine factory-manual X300 XJRs are exceptionally rare, this particular car was originally supplied as an automatic, something clearly confirmed by its Jaguar Heritage Certificate.
Its subsequent five-speed manual conversion was carried out by respected Jaguar specialist Tom Lenthall Ltd, and the work is comprehensively documented in the accompanying history file.
The centre console and transmission tunnel were professionally adapted, with the finished installation sitting very naturally within the original interior rather than appearing as an improvised aftermarket conversion.
Following the mechanical conversion, Swallows Racing carried out the associated engine-management and integration work, including the MaxxECU standalone system, bespoke wiring harness, drive-by-wire throttle conversion, exhaust-centre-section fabrication and final dyno tuning.
That division of work is particularly reassuring: the manual conversion itself was completed by Tom Lenthall Ltd, while the electronic integration and final setup were handled by Swallows Racing - two very highly respected Jaguar specialists.
More recent work by Swallows Racing has included further development of the clutch arrangement, with a Helix organic sprung clutch plate, machining of the flywheel face and subsequent upgraded 240DS pressure-plate hardware.
Engine Management and Performance
As mentioned, part of the later development of the car included the MaxxECU Sport Premium standalone engine-management system installation.
Rather than simply fitting an aftermarket ECU, the work involved the construction of a bespoke integration harness together with an upgraded Bosch 82mm drive-by-wire throttle body, pedal-position sensor and associated XJR6 adaptor hardware.
The car was then professionally dyno tuned by Performance Vehicle Engineering.
The accompanying Dyno Dynamics printout records:
362.3 bhp at the flywheel and approximately 425 lb ft peak torque
The headline torque figure only tells part of the story. Of particular note is the shape of the curve, with the engine producing in excess of 400 lb ft from approximately 2,000rpm through to beyond 4,500rpm.
The result is an engine which delivers its performance across a very broad part of the rev range rather than relying on a narrow peak figure.
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Exhaust and Supercharger
The car is fitted with a full 2-inch stainless-steel exhaust system incorporating sports catalytic converters, supplied by Fast Road Conversions at a cost of £1,200.
The history also documents various stages of supercharger pulley development over the years, together with servicing of the Eaton supercharger and replacement of its water pump.
Brakes and Chassis
In 2022, Tom Lenthall carried out a substantial programme of mechanical work totalling more than £6,600.
This included a significant Brembo brake conversion, using Brembo calipers together with appropriate mounting brackets, new front and rear brake discs, pads and associated hardware.
The car also received:
- Replacement steering rack
- Four-wheel alignment
- Front upper damper bushes
- 15mm front wheel spacers
- 20mm rear wheel spacers
- Replacement supercharger belt
- Further servicing and maintenance
There is also supporting documentation for Powerflex suspension components covering areas including the front wishbones, lower shock mounts, rear anti-roll bar, Panhard arrangement and rear beam.
Earlier in its life the car received replacement Jaguar front shock absorbers, together with considerable additional suspension and bush maintenance.
Preservation
One particularly reassuring aspect of the history is that corrosion prevention has clearly been taken seriously for many years rather than only immediately before the car was offered for sale.
There are invoices dating back to the 2000s for Waxoyl and corrosion treatment, including the cleaning and protection of suspension components and sections of the underside.
More extensive work was subsequently carried out in 2017, including cleaning the underside and wheelarches, removing loose underseal where required, treating areas of surface corrosion, priming and painting before applying Waxoyl.
The front sill cavities were also drilled and internally treated with Waxoyl.
Other Documented Work
The history is far too extensive to list every individual invoice, but other notable work includes:
- Replacement exhaust manifolds
- Rear subframe bushes
- Front wishbone bushes
- Front and rear brake work
- Replacement windscreen
- Replacement battery
- Transmission servicing
- Replacement drive belts
- Supercharger servicing
- Spark plugs
- Fuel-pressure regulator and fuel filter
- Replacement front lower ball joint
- Cooling-system servicing
- Thermostat housing treatment
- Replacement steering rack
- Replacement supercharger water pump
- Replacement A/C pipe and regas
- Replacement aerial mast
- Replacement headlining board
- Cruise-control retrofit
- Colour-coded parking sensors
- K&N air filter
- Replacement cam-cover gasket
It is rare to find an X300 where so much of its mechanical history can still be followed through the accompanying paperwork.
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Condition
Perhaps one of the most appealing things about this particular XJR is how little its appearance gives away.
Despite the substantial mechanical changes underneath, externally it retains the understated character of the original car.
The Antigua Blue paintwork presents very well, retaining a strong depth and gloss, while the original-style XJR alloy wheels keep the car looking as Jaguar intended. The Brembo front calipers provide one of the few external clues that the mechanical specification is rather different from standard.
The Cream leather interior also presents particularly well for a car approaching 30 years old. There is some age-related wear and creasing to the driver's seat, as would reasonably be expected, but overall the cabin remains extremely attractive.
The original Jaguar wood trim, dashboard and switchgear have all been retained, while the manual gearlever has been neatly incorporated into the centre console.
This is not presented as a concours or untouched collector example. It is a car which has been used, maintained and progressively developed by enthusiasts over a long period of time.
What makes it particularly interesting is the combination of its condition, modest mileage, extensive provenance and the quality of the documented mechanical work.