INFO GUIDE: 1984 - 1988 Jaguar XJS (TWR Enhanced)

This identification guide has been written for the first series of Jaguar XJS coupe and cabriolet cars enhanced by Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR). Specifically, this guide deals with the cars made by TWR prior to the 1988 formation of 'JaguarSport' (the joint venture between Jaguar and TWR). From the end of 1984, TWR (under the name of 'TWR JaguarSport' but prior to the joint venture), offered sporting versions of the XJS. Various bodywork, trim and engine upgrade options were available on both the 3.6 litre 6-cylinder and 5.3 litre V12 vehicles. These cars are particularly unique and rare, often misrepresented and misunderstood due to the poor record keeping for the pre-1988 cars. Further confusion is caused by the production of later XJS 'JaguarSport' cars to similar specifications.

The TWR XJS vehicles started out as a standard XJS coupes or cabriolets, and were sent by dealers or existing owners to the TWR factory for heavy modification to the customer's personal liking. There are a number of unique and important features distinguishing these from the standard XJS. This guide outlines a number of features unique to the original pre-1988 Jaguar XJS TWR vehicles.

Production numbers and markets:

- Total production:

The TWR Jaguars were available through approximately 10 dealerships across the UK, with a number of left hand drive cars delivered to Europe and the USA. Specific export numbers are not known, and several British cars have since made their way to markets such as Australia and New Zealand. Unfortunately, even Jaguar Heritage has stated that they are not aware of any data on the pre-88 TWR cars. This was largely due to the fact that dealers and customers could both deal with the TWR factory directly. We have, however, confirmed from an old article, that the pre-'JaguarSport' TWR factory had capacity to produce three cars per week (thanks to ‘Motorsport Magazine’, February 1984). Assuming full demand production from late 1984 – 1988, this would indicate that it is likely only several hundred were produced. This is consistent with many estimates which we have seen on Jaguar forums during our research.

- V12 6.0 litre production:

It was widely believed that only a small portion of the several hundred cars produced included the 6.0l engine upgrade. Since publising this information guide, we have been contacted by several engineers who worked in the TWR factory and have been able to share with us some of their intricate knowledge. Importantly, one of those engineers has provided a table confirming 39 vehicles that received the 6.0 litre conversion. The table includes the majority of the engine numbers for those converted V12 units. A copy of this table is provided in Section 6 of this guide - "engine and gearbox numbers".

Period of manufacture:

No specific production dates have been confirmed, however, it is generally accepted that the pre-'Jaguar-Sport' cars were produced from late 1984 through to late 1988, just after 'JaguarSport' was formed. Jaguar Sport was formed in May 1988, however, it is cited in “Sports Sponsorship and Brand Development: The Subaru and Jaguar Stories“, that production of individual vehicles (not under the 'JaguarSport' Marque) continued until late 1988, probably due to pre-existing orders with customers. It is also should be considered that pre-1984 cars may have also been received TWR upgrades, as the conversions were not necessarily limited to new vehicles from 1984 - 1988

If you have further information on the vehicles covered by this guide, please get in contact with us. This information guide has been written based on a variety of online and published sources, and enthusiast input. You should not rely on this guide to make any purchasing decision and we make no representation as to the accuracy of the information provided. You should always make and rely on your own enquiries when purchasing a vehicle.