The XJ220 is easily one of the coolest and most beautiful cars ever made. So-called for its targeted top speed of 220 miles per hour, it was never originally intended for production, but was so well-received at the 1988 British Motor Show that Jaguar did make just 281 examples for public consumption. One can imagine the awe it inspired as Thatcher-era yuppies licked their lips and feasted their eyes on it.
The original concept had a V12 and all-wheel drive. For production, a twin-turbocharged V6 was used instead to reduce weight and complexity and increase balance. It was mounted in the rear of the car and pumped out 542 horsepower to just the rear wheels.
Keith Helfet's styling is truly something to behold, a masterpiece looking both back and forward at the same time. It almost reminds me of something Luigi Colani might create. In the 80s, Jaguar was moving away from their luscious curves of the 50s and 60s and towards harder edges and boxy shapes in vogue at the time and employed to great effect by the Germans and Japanese. But when the XJ40 debuted in 1986 with large rectangular headlights, it backfired, and almost killed the brand, along with quality and reliability issues. The XJ220 revived association of Jaguar with sensuous curves and did so in a manner that was futuristic and classic at the same time. It's a huge home run and is one for the ages.
Inside, occupants are surrounded by sculpted leather racing seats, stitched leather dashboard and extra analog gauges on the door.
The seller says this example has just 960 miles on the odometer and is clearly a near-mint museum-quality collector's piece. The XJ220 is amazing to look at, very fast, and extremely rare. It is a classic supercar from the late 80s/early 90s heyday of supercars, and is a high point in Jaguar's history.
Available here on ebay in Barrington, Illinois for $300,000 or "reasonable offers".
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