Jaguar Heritage Auction

Bonhams 25th July 2009

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To celebrate changing its name from Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust to Jaguar Heritage Trust it is disposing of several superfluous cars. Thankfully the likes of XJ13 and the Cs and Ds stay, but this auction concentrated on duplicates that are more accessible.

The moderns

The nature of the auction saw Jaguar Heritage concentrating on their newer ('80s/'90s) collection. At this point motor manufacturers 'collected' first and last cars, how they must wish that they did this with SS, XKs and E-Types! As it is Jaguar are getting rid of a lot of XJSs.

1985 Jaguar XJ-SC V12
Of interest to the author is this car that he once drove back from Snetterton after an old JCC meeting. This was the prototype cabriolet, now with a hard top and flashing lights as it was used as a pace car for many a year. A possible conversion back to a cabriolet, although it would have been nice if the JEC bought it and offered it as a pace car. £5,000 bought this.

The last cabriolet (1988 E 1,677 miles) off the production line and the first full convertible (1987 E 13,471 miles) went for £19,000 and £17,000 retrospectively.
1991 Jaguar XJR-S
Another car driven, well parked, by this author. £15,250 was a lot to pay for a K-reg XJS, even an XJR-S.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Daimlers
A trio of Daimlers that were supplied to the Queen were offered.
1984 B Daimler Double-Six SIII, 43,076miles, £10,750
1998 S Daimler V8 LWB Saloon, 12,242miles, £11,500
2001 Y Daimler Super V8 Saloon, 15,000miles, £12,500
1976 Jaguar XJS V12
By way of comparison this 1976 early XJS was not an ex-Jaguar Heritage. In decent condition and with MOT went for only £3,500. Same auction, same day, but it is clear people paid for the Jaguar Heritage premium.
1984 Jaguar XJS V12
Another Jaguar XJS not from the Heritage stable. However as good as it can get, if you ignore the crome wheel arches that are not done to hide rust on this on; One owner low mileage, but not ex-Jaguar so only £7,200. A lot of car, but still a B-reg Jag.

2001 Jaguar XKR '100' Conertible
Flash brakes and a discrete limited edition badge, the first limited edition XKR100 enjoyed life as a press car and has covered 21,253miles. £21,000 grabbed this example, another healthy premium.

Even if you consider these cars as retail standard, certainly these are low mileage and should sail through an MOT, being owned by Jaguar Heritage adds a decent premium to the value of these cars. At a venue where we are used to race history adding value, it seems we have seen a new provenance. That of being parked in the backroom of a manufacturer's museum adds value too. Ex-factory museum cars? Add 50%, 100%, maybe more.

The Classics

Not too much of the older stuff, but there were a couple of interesting items. Items that were under-valued in the estimation, but fetched a realistic price.

1921 Daimler TL30 Van The Bass Bottle
An interesting promotional tool. It had an engine, in bits in the back rather than the front. So it classes as a project! £13,700 and unique.
1974 M Jaguar XJ6 SII 4.2l
Modern in comparison, but 35 years old. It has covered 81,368miles, but that is less than 2,500 miles per year. The Series 2 with a more modern look and a good development of the Series 1 XJ6. £4,500; suprisingly little Heritage premium here. Still, no one realises what a great classic the Series 2 XJ6 is.
1931 Austin Seven Swallow Saloon
An estimate of £5,000 to £7,000 made this look like the bargain of the day. In the end this made a sensible £18,500. Good condition and a wonderul example of pre-war motoring.

Links

Jaguar Heritage have recently opened their doors to members of the public every day of the week. You've missed the cars above, but check out the website and pay a visit.