Lot 03: Jaguar Sovereign 5.3

Although originally developed for the Series III E-Type it did not take much to persuade Jaguar's engineers to slip the superb V12 engine into the saloon body of the XJ6, the resulting XJ12 being an instant sales success.  By 1993, now in Series III form, the XJ12 became the Sovereign 5.3 and survived the introduction of the newer XJ40 Series saloons (with an engine bay design precluding the fitment of a vee configuration engine) smoothly and silently continuing, largely unchanged, and assembled by hand in a corner of the Browns Lane works until 1993, when the XJ40 engine bay was altered to accept the new 6-litre version of the engine.This example is finished in light metallic blue with a biscuit hide interior and was initially registered as a demonstrator for Appleyards of Edinburgh in November 1986.  A wealth of invoices and history supplied would suggest that the car has been well kept, including a comprehensive body restoration, repaint and subsequent Dinitrol rust proofing carried out in 1999.  It is described now as excellent throughout, with the exception of some minor paint blistering to the driver's side wing and the air-conditioning system needing recharging.  The car is offered for sale having been largely unused for the last year following the owner's move to Southern Ireland and the prohibitive costs of taxation and insurance in Eire.