Produced in very low volumes and built between 1975 and 1978, XJ Coupé production reached a mere 6,505 cars. The two-door XJ Coupés, with a pillarless hardtop body called the XJ-C, were built at Jaguar's Browns Lane factory. The car was actually launched at the London Motor Show in October 1973, but it subsequently became clear that it was not ready for production - it was reported that problems with window sealing delayed production. XJ Coupés finally started to emerge from Jaguar showrooms some two years later to widespread delight.

The Coupé was based on the short wheelbase version of the XJ. Both six and twelve-cylinder models were offered, 6,505 of the former and 1,873 of the latter. Both the door and side windows could be wound down, resulting in a most attractive pillar-less look. However, the prohibitive expense of getting its two-door bodyshell to meet United States safety regulations meant that the Coupé version never went on sale in the USA. Consequently, the model is one of the rarest of the XJ family with production ending in 1977.

Presented here is an exceptional right-hand drive XJ-C that was delivered new in New Zealand by Shorter Jaguar on 26th September 1977 and is showing only 18,541 miles on the odometer. Finished in British Racing Green with an Apple Green leather interior, this 4.2-litre six-cylinder car was first registered to Mr Shorter himself under the company name until 1995, when Mr Shorter Jr. took ownership of the car. In his possession until 2014, the XJ has a full Shorter Jaguar Main Dealer service history as one would expect.

This remarkable XJ-C was bought by our vendor from Silverstone Auctions in May 2015 and it has resided in his impressive private collection on the Isle of Man ever since. Accompanied by its history file and some original manuals contained in the leather Jaguar wallet, including the passport to service and having covered a mere 18,541 miles this is surely one of the finest XJ-Cs to come to the market in recent times.

This vehicle is currently unregistered in the UK. The number plate displayed in the photos 1100 MAN is not included in the sale.