This car is not only the last XJS coupé but also the very last XJS to be built. Together with the last XJS 4-litre convertible, the car was donated to Jaguar Heritage for preservation.

Introduced in September 1975 with the 5.3-litre V12 engine, the XJS was at that time the most expensive production car Jaguar had ever produced at £8,900. Intended as a prestige Grand Touring coupé, the XJS nevertheless had sports car performance with a top speed close to 150 mph (240 km/h), and with comfort and refinement to match.

Its unconventional styling and lack of traditional wood veneer caused some concerns initially. However, over the years the XJS grew in reputation, and eventually became the most successful sporting car that Jaguar had ever produced. The model also enjoyed success in competition, appearing in American races with the Group 44 team from 1976 to 1982. In 1982, the Jaguar TWR team of XJS cars was first entered in the European Touring Car Group A championship. In 1984 Tom Walkinshaw won this championship, and together with Win Percy, won the Spa 24-hour race as well.

From 1983, the new AJ6 3.6-litre six-cylinder engine became available in the new cabriolet soft-top version, which was later also offered with the V12 engine. In 1988, the cabriolet was replaced by the convertible with a fully folding top, and the first TWR-tuned XJR-S model was introduced. The XJS range went through a major restyling in 1991, and was now fitted with the much improved 6-litre version of the V12 engine, while the six-cylinder model was uprated with a 4-litre engine.

The XJS was in production for twenty-one years during which time a total of 115,413 were made. Production came to an end in April 1996 prior to the introduction of the new XK8 sports car later that year. By that time the list price of the XJS V12 coupé was £50,500.