Jaguar XJC 1978

This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2025 on Saturday the 8th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. , The Jaguar XJC, the rare two-door coupé version of the XJ, has always carried a certain mystique, blending elegance with performance and rarity. The profile of these coupés with the windows down is so attractive that they have become highly sought after, and are consequently hard to find in good condition. Dating from April 1978, this particular example has transcended even that status, becoming one of the most famous XJCs in existence thanks to its high profile ownership by Harry Metcalfe, founder of EVO magazine and presenter of the highly acclaimed Harry’s Garage YouTube channel.Harry acquired the car as a long term project in 2014 and, over the years, meticulously transformed it into one of the best driving V12 Jaguars ever created, a process documented in detail across multiple episodes of Harry’s Garage, which together have attracted close to 6,000,000 views.The scope of the work is remarkable. The legendary Tom Lenthal was entrusted with the V12 engine build, ensuring it delivered both reliability and performance. Suspension duties were expertly handled by XJ Restoration, while Painting Classic Cars applied the Aston Martin DBS Minotaur Green paintwork (without the modern flip) to a superb standard. The car also benefits from a 5-speed manual gearbox conversion, unlocking the full potential of the V12’s power delivery.Over six figures have been invested in this XJC to date, much of it detailed on invoices in the car's history file alongside correspondence with previous owners. The car’s journey to its current state is well portrayed in the many Harry’s Garage videos, where its transformation has proven immensely popular with subscribers. The result is a car that not only presents beautifully but drives superbly, and is one of the best sounding Jaguars we’ve ever heard, delivering an experience far beyond standard specification. We can say first hand that we have not driven a classic Jaguar XJ that comes close to this.Offered today directly from Harry Metcalfe’s custodianship, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a world-renowned, one-off Jaguar Coupé, a car whose fame, provenance, and engineering excellence place it in a league of its own. Offered at a fraction of what it might cost to replicate, we welcome and encourage your inspection at the NEC.