Cars

The Jaguar XJC (often written XJ-C) is the two-door coupé version of the XJ “Series II” saloon, designed to offer the same hushed luxury but with lower, tauter, more exclusive lines. The project existed on paper as early as the late 1960s, but Jaguar unveiled it to the public later, notably at the London Motor Show in October 1973… before having to wait a long time before actually putting it into production.

The XJC adopted a hardtop body with no central pillar and frameless windows, giving it a very “grand touring” silhouette, but making the sealing and adjustment of the windows much more difficult to ensure. Added to this was the complicated industrial and economic context of the mid-1970s (British Leyland period and the aftershocks of the oil crisis), which didn’t help to speed up the launch.

When it finally arrived in dealerships, the XJC was based on the short wheelbase of the XJ Series II: long doors, a stretched roof, and that very “English club” look that immediately distinguishes it from a four-door XJ. The philosophy is less that of a pure sports coupé than of a prestige coupé, made to swallow up kilometers quickly and calmly, with a typically Jaguar interior presentation and comfort.

This model was sold new in Europe in December 1977. The certificate of conformity is still present.

For a 1977 XJC with a 4.2 L engine, we’re talking about the famous Jaguar XK 4,235 cm³ in-line six-cylinder, with twin camshafts, which constitutes the brand’s “historic heart” for this period. The XJC could be ordered with this 4.2 or with the 5.3 V12, but the 4.2 is often seen as the best balance between flexibility, running costs and “old-school” mechanical character.

The year 1977 is particularly important because it marks the end of the XJ’s career: production of XJ coupes ceases in November 1977 (with a few very last registrations, depending on the market), which explains why they are so rare today. Based on generally accepted production figures, XJC 4.2s totalled around 6,487 units over the entire period, including 1,776 for 1977, making it a sought-after “end-of-series” vintage.

It has a total of 125,500 km and is in very good condition, both aesthetically and mechanically. It shows no corrosion, and the interior is still in superb original condition. It is also equipped with a 123 electronic ignition, and underwent general maintenance in 2026.