Jaguar XJ6 Series III With 13k Goes for Insane Price

By John Coyle - March 4, 2022

The classic Jaguar XJ6 has never really climbed in value, but that doesn’t mean these pretty kitties will be cheap forever.

As I’ve written about on Jaguar Forums ad nauseam, a Jaguar XJ6 was the car that made me fall in love with cars. So these machines — especially the Series I and II cars — will always hold a special place in my heart. While I had to sell my 1978 model, I’m resolved to own another one someday, with the plan being to drop in an LS motor and make it a sleeper. So I tend to keep an eye on XJ prices, and wow, did this recent sale on Bring a Trailer ever catch me off guard.

For the record, even if it’s shod with hideous white walls and has an almost-scary low 13,000 miles on the clock? I can honestly say this 1986 Series III is among the nicest examples of the vintage I’ve see since I was a child. Plus, the little imperfections here and there mean that actually driving it — gasp! — leaving it parked on the street wouldn’t feel malicious. Since this was a no-reserve auction, I was thinking it might actually go for a song — and holy crap was I ever wrong.

When the bidding ended, this car sold for a whopping $38,330, which seems completely insane. That price actually made me a little queasy, because as much as I think the classic XJ is a masterpiece of automotive design, the prices have been flat for, well, since I’ve been able to drive. I’m still convinced that with a little searching, I could find a decent example of a Series III for $5,000 or less. But it’s beginning to dawn on me that these cars might finally, finally be starting to appreciate.

That thought made me wonder if I might actually wind up priced out. It’s honestly something I’ve never considered, and while that situation still seems remote, it’s important to remember just how much markets can shift in a few years. After all, it wasn’t too long ago that classic Mopars were something people paid to have towed out of their yards. Then suddenly, collectors were forking over 60k for a rusty piece of frame rail with a VIN.

So what do you think? Are we going to see Jaguar XJ6 prices skyrocket in the next few years? Or am I just taking one weird auction result out of context? Hit me up and let me know!

Photos: Bring a Trailer