My first old Jaguar

[Dunks]

Hi everyone, I'm very new to this club and indeed to any forum so please bear with me! I've just bought my first classic Jaguar and wondered if anyone could shed some light on a little bit of confusion relating to it.
Its a 1989 'F' registration described in the log book as a JaguarSport XJR-S Auto and confirmed on the telephone to be an XJR-S by Jaguar heritage at the British motor museum.
The problem I have is that the chassis number on the log book has an 'N' as the fifth digit, which I was under the understanding relates to an XJS rather than an XJR-S which I believe should have an 'S' as the fifth digit. The car itself physically has the same chassis number but is showing an S as the fifth digit on all the chassis numbers (windscreen plaque, bulkhead brace bracket and door jam sticker).
Although the car is in lovely condition with a full MOT etc, I would like to have the car fully restored but really need to clear up this confusion over the fifth digit on the chassis number before sinking a lot of hard earned cash into it!
Has anyone heard of this issue before or could offer any advice regarding where I go from here?
Many thanks, Duncan.

[BrizzleJag]

TBH, I don't know a lot about XJS's, however I recall reading somewhere that the R's were shipped out from Browns Lane as a standard car to Jaguar Sports (TWR) in Bloxham where the R conversion took place, so unless they were pre-designated cars they would have had standard chassis numbers when they left Browns Lane.

[Dunks]

Many thanks for the reply, the car certainly looks like it left the factory as a JaguarSport car according to the paperwork as the logbook & service book state this plus Jaguar Heritage at the British Motor Museum have confirmed this, but physically the car shows the fifth digit on the chassis number as an S not an N as listed in all the paperwork. Does anyone have any knowledge of a standard cars chassis number being changed from an N to an S during the cars upgrade/conversion?

[davidr]

Hi Duncan and welcome to XJS ownership!
Assuming that the red car in your post is your car, I'm not sure that is an XJR-S. I would be expecting to see the XJR-S modifications such as the bodykit and wheels. Your car looks standard from what I can see.
It may be that your V5 is wrong? Does it perhaps say "XJ-S Sports"?
It's not unknown for mistakes to be on the V5.
Regards
David

[BrizzleJag]

Hi Duncan and welcome to XJS ownership!
Assuming that the red car in your post is your car, I'm not sure that is an XJR-S. I would be expecting to see the XJR-S modifications such as the bodykit and wheels. Your car looks standard from what I can see.
It may be that your V5 is wrong? Does it perhaps say "XJ-S Sports"?
It's not unknown for mistakes to be on the V5.
Regards
David

That's what I thought but I didn't like to assume that this was the car, don't the R's have a badge on the grille as well?

[Dunks]

Thanks David, it's all very confusing! Yes, the car in the pic is my car and I agree, it looks nothing like an XJR-S, more like a standard XJS. The problem I have is that the car was registered by jaguar as an XJR-S and is described in the log book as 'JAGUARSPORT XJR-S AUTO' even though the fifth digit on the chassis number (in the log book) is an N...which I understand relates to a standard XJS. The physical chassis numbers on the car are an S as the fifth digit with all the other numbers/letters being the same as the log book....it's driving me a bit loopy!
The car was definitely registered to Jaguar Cars Ltd Company Vehicles for the first year of its life so I'm wondering if there would be a record of its build anywhere?
I've even tried to research the technician that serviced the car four times in its first year of use...a Paul Wadely, to see if he could remember the vehicle....grasping at straws with that line of enquiry I think!

[BrizzleJag]

As you say curious and a bit intriguing. It's highly unlikely that someone would have turned it from an R back into a standard car, however what if had been designated for shipment to Bloxham to be R'd but was never actually sent and instead put into the Jaguar fleet and the paperwork was never altered? Just guessing of course. Does it have any badges on the rear end?

[BrizzleJag]

Previous thread on a similar subject it might help ? viewtopic.php?t=7789

[davidr]

What's the engine size? Does it have a JaguarSport 6.0ltr?

[Dunks]

Thanks for the link to that, very interesting. I think I’ve probavly got something along similar lines as the car is listed as an XJR-S both on the log book and the original sticker in the front of the original service book....even though the chassis number is an N on the paperwork.
The bit I’m really struggling to get my head round is why the car has got an XJR-S chassis number (5th digit S) it all looks very original and not tampered with. The car is badged XJS V12 on the back. The only other badges are stickers on the front wings behind the wheels saying ‘World Sportscar champions 1987’ which I’m guessing refers to the Le Mans victory....has someone just stuck them on....or could it have been Jaguar when it was in their ownership? I’ll try to add a pic.

[Dunks]

David, it’s listed in the log book as a 5345cc but I’m starting to think nothings to be believed in that!
It doesn’t have the JaguarSport badges anywhere on the top of the engine

[BrizzleJag]

From what you have described it sounds pretty unlikely that your car is an R. I have attached a picture of what the engine should look like with the Sports rocker covers. The 1987 stickers refer to the World Sports Car Championship rather than the 1988 Le Man win with the XJR-9. It might be worth seeking out some expert help from someone like Nigel Thornley who has written countless Jaguar books and edits the JEC magazine because an awful lot doesn't add up.

[BrizzleJag]

Actually after a little checking, I don't think the earlier 5.3's had the Sport rocker covers, I think these may have been added later in 1989 when the capacity was increased to 6.0l.

[davidr]

Does the engine number on the car match the V5?
What is the engine number? We can tell from that what kind of engine it is.

[BrizzleJag]

This R sold at auction in 2015 and was registered the month before yours, it lists the full spec as well as the VIN and engine No. so everything about your car should be pretty close to this one.https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auct ... wr-53-v12/