1982 Jaguar TWR XJS FIA Touring Car to 'Group A' specification

• A potentially remarkable piece of racing history, this car's bodyshell is considered to be from the original TWR XJS Jaguar Show Car owned and displayed, in period, by Jaguar Cars; subsequently owned and raced by prominent Jaguar enthusiasts
• Now fully restored by Jaguar specialists M&C Wilkinson to full race specification, with FIA papers (10-year expiration date), it features some rare TWR components
• The car is now beautifully restored, in exhaustive detail, to Chassis #1 specification, featuring many original and unique TWR components, plus an accompanying spares package

Purchased directly by John Pearson of HP Tyres from Jaguar, then by Brian Stevens and since 2012, it has formed part of the Chris Scragg Race Collection. During its restoration by M&C Wilkinson to race specification, it is considered by some, that evidence came to light to suggest that this vehicle could possibly be prototype development car - Chassis #1.

Having previously been stripped of its engine and retained by Jaguar as a show car for use in promoting the race series, the XJS had fallen into the hands of Jaguar Heritage Trust where it continued to be exhibited as an example of a race series ‘show car’. Later, it was fitted with a standard XJS 5.3-litre V12 production engine and inboard rear brakes for display purposes at shows and events.

When the Trust decided to sell the car, it was purchased by John Pearson, renowned Jaguar enthusiast, who then quickly sold the vehicle to Brian Stevens, who purchased it with a view to using it for racing. Retaining the existing paint scheme, the engine was replaced by a full-race Rob Beere unit with throttle bodies, (a glass fibre bonnet is used to accommodate the bulge although the original is retained), outboard rear brakes, a 5-speed Getrag manual gearbox, catch tanks and an alloy fuel tank. The underside was cleaned and painted white, with Perspex door windows and a roll cage fitted. Finally, in 2010, a PAS steering rack replaced the manual steering. The car was then put up for sale as it did not meet the specification requirements to acquire FIA papers and was acquired by Chris Scragg.

Chris entrusted the car to Mike Wilkinson, to prepare it to the correct racing specification, and during 2012, the car was raced several times including an outing at Brands Hatch when, as it was about to the take the lead with only minutes to go, a wheel bearing failed forcing him to retire from the race early. At the Silverstone Classic that same year, Chris's son, Ant Scragg, triumphed over the competition going on to win the ‘Win Percy Trophy’.

With preparation now complete; the FIA papers were acquired with a view to selling the car, however, a chance meeting with an ex-employee of TWR at the 2012 Stoneleigh Historic Racing Car Show raised the possible historical significance of this vehicle, which until this point had been lost. His assertion was that this XJS might well be ‘Tom’s Hack’.

The vehicle was returned to Mike Wilkinson’s workshop for further investigation to see if this could be the original TWR001 that competed in the 1982 championship and the findings are well documented in Nigel Thorley’s article "The car that never was or still is" in the December 2013 edition of the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club Magazine. At this point, Chris decided to restore the Jaguar to its 1982 Donnington TT specification and livery.

The car is now beautifully restored, in intimate detail, to Chassis #1 specification, featuring many original and unique TWR original components and is supplied with new 10-year FIA Papers and a spares package. Whatever the exact history this car may or may not have, and any purchaser should remain wholly open-minded, it's still a formidable machine restored to the highest standards, well presented and undoubtedly highly competitive.