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Only 281 models produced by Jaguar from 1992 to 1994
All original cosmetic finish and drivetrain
Limited ownership since new
Includes service records, owners handbook, tool kit, first aid kit,
parts and service manuals
During the 1980's and early 90's, car manufacturers were exploring
new concepts, pushing the technology of their cars into a new era,
with the goal of producing the fastest and most powerful car they
could create. The era of the supercar was born, and Jaguar wanted
to lead the way, just as it had done with its C-Type three decades
earlier. In the 1980's, Jaguar's chief engineer, Jim Randle, as
part of an informal group called "The Saturday Club", began work on
a concept car, code-named XJ220, which if put into production,
could compete in a potential new Group B racing category competing
against the likes of Ferrari's F40 and the Porsche 959.
While seemingly the obvious choice, the Jaguar 6.2-litre V12 had
been judged too difficult to get past emissions regulations, so in
its place was chosen a Tom Walkinshaw developed 3.5 litre V6 as
used in the Group C XJR-10/11 racers, fitted with twin Garrett T3
turbochargers, generating 542 horsepower and 476 lb�ft of torque.
The engine was the first V6 in Jaguar's history, being a 6-cylinder
derivation from the Cosworth DFV Formula 1 engine, originally
designed by David Wood for the Austin Metro 6R4 rally car. It was
also the first Jaguar engine to use forced induction. In spite of
the smaller displacement, it produced more power than the V12, and
offered improved handling by being set lower and more centrally in
the car.
Constructed on January 28th 1993, this XJ220 is number 237 of a
limited run of 281 handmade cars. It was delivered to Geneva
Switzerland on April 1st 1993, and on June 22, 1993, Gilbert
Llorens, a South American expatriate, became the XJ220's first
owner. Unfortunately, Llorens passed away before he could
officially register the car, and his estate sold the Jaguar by
title only to Ted Schroeder in Switzerland in 1999. Shortly after
the purchase Schroeder began investigating the process to bring the
car into the US. He contacted Jaguar North America for advice, who
in turn contacted Sun International Racing in Manhattan Beach,
California.
Sun International was known for importing exotic European street
cars into the US, such as the Ford Escort RS Cosworth, Renault R5
Turbo and Lotus' series one Elise. After thoroughly investigating
the importation of such a rare car, the XJ220 was granted a "show
and display" exemption by the U.S. Department of Transportation on
June 11th 2001. With the all clear, the Jaguar was shipped from
Garage Roland Affolter in Porrentruy, Switzerland, and arrived in
Los Angeles on June 28th 2001. It was then held in a private
collection for the next fourteen years. Chassis #237 has never been
registered in any country, and has only 2,682 km (1,667miles) on
the odometer. Sold by Canepa in 2015, only 242 km (150 miles) were
added to the car, having now returned to our facility in search of
a lucky new custodian.
Upon arriving at Canepa, the XJ220 went under the "Canepa
Difference" process. It was put through our rigorous detailing
regimen, with the entire car cleaned from top to bottom, ensuring
no surface was left untouched. Finally, a show-level foam pad
polish was carried out on the exterior paint, producing a lustrous
shine and mirror finish. Found to be in excellent mechanical shape
due to prior extensive mechanical preparation by ourselves, the
Jaguar was signed off with a clean bill of health.
The XJ220 was the first road car to exploit under-body airflow and
venturi technology to generate a downforce of around 3000 lb for
high-speed stability. It utilized a Group C suspension
configuration, leading to handling described by Autocar as "the
finest handling supercar we have ever driven. Such is its damping
that supercars we previously considered superlatively
well-controlled over difficult roads now seem flawed and spongy
after the Jaguar." This expertly cared-for XJ220 would make a
superb complement to any collection of Jaguars, or modern
supercars. It is sure to find acclaim at club meetings and regional
concours d'elegance, while continuing to leave supercar aficionados
breathless.
