Ten Iconic, Most Collectible Jaguar Cars

The SS100 was one of Jaguar’s first true sports cars, produced at a time when the company still bore the “SS” name but after a previous car on the platform was named “Jaguar”. Powered by a 2.66L and later 3.5L inline-6 OHV engine, referred to as 2½ and 3½ liters, the Jaguar 100 was supposed to be able to reach a top speed of 100mph. Thanks to its rarity, sleek pre-war design, and competitive performance, it is one of the most celebrated pre-war sports cars today.

The XK120 was Jaguar’s breakthrough model that combined elegant styling with high performance. It was the fastest production car of its time, thanks to a 3.4L DOHC inline-6 engine that developed up to 220hp with two Weber carburetors. A hit both on the road and on the track, the XK120 contributed to Jaguar’s racing heritage. Earlier production cars were hand-built with aluminum bodies and are especially prized today. From 1950, Jaguar started to use mass-produced pressed-steel bodies to meet demand.

The C-Type was Jaguar’s first purpose-built race car, with the “C” standing for “competition”. It won Le Mans in 1951 and 1953. The C-Type was powered by a 3.44L DOHC inline-6 engine with either SU or later twin-choke Weber carburetors. The C-Type introduced disc brakes to motorsport and laid the groundwork for Jaguar’s dominance at Le Mans. With only 53 built, the C-Type is one of the most valuable Jaguars in existence.

The D-Type was another purpose-built racing car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times between 1955 and 1957. A symbol of Jaguar’s racing prowess, the D-Type is known for its aerodynamic design and advanced engineering. Its distinctive fin and low-slung design are instantly recognizable. The car was powered by a dry-sump version of the XK6 engine from the C-Type.

After Jaguar briefly withdrew from racing in 1956, the remaining chasses were turned to the road-going XKSS. The XKSS ended up being rarer, with only 16 built before a factory fire stopped production. It was also famous as the car owned by Steve McQueen.

The E-Type was a sports car based on the D-Type. Referred to by Enzo Ferrari as “the most beautiful car ever made”, the E-Type is a symbol of 1960s motoring. It combined stunning looks with impressive performance. The Series 1 and 2 cars were powered by evolutions of the XK6 inline-6 engine that displaced 3.8L or 4.2L. From 1971, the Series 3 E-Type introduced the new 5.3L SOHC V12. Early production Series 1 cars with 3.8L engine are the rarest and most valuable today, while later V12 cars also have a special place in the hearts of collectors.

The first generation XJ was in production for over two decades, mostly due to disruptions from Britain’s economic malaise and deindustrialization in the 1970s. The Series 1 XJ produced between 1968 and 1973 was a landmark model for Jaguar, combining elegance, luxury, and performance in a way that set the standard for future luxury sedans. It was also the last model to have direct input from company founder Sir William Lyons. From 1972, the XJ12 was added with its 5.3L V12 from the E-Type, making it the fastest four-door sedan in the world. The engine was paired to a 3-speed Borg-Warner automatic transmission. The XJ12 was the world’s only mass-produced 12-cylinder sedan for many years, and Series 1 models are no doubt the most collectible.

The XJ-C was a two-door pillarless hardtop coupe variant of the Series 2 XJ. Based on a shortened wheelbase, the XJ-C combines luxury with a sporty design. The XJ12-C were powered by the 5.3L Jaguar V12 engine and saw a significantly lower production number than the 4.2L XJ6-C. Thanks for its exclusivity and unique, classic design, the XJ12-C remains a favorite among collectors.

The XJR-15 was a limited-edition supercar designed by Jaguar Sport, a joint venture between Jaguar and Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR). It was the first road car to use a carbon-fiber monocoque and is considered a precursor to the modern hypercar. The XJR-15 was based on the Le Mans-winning XJR-9. It was powered by a 6L DOHC V12 that produced 450hp. With only 53 made, the XJR-15 is extremely rare and desirable.

The XJ220 was an evolution of the XJR-15 that intended to make it to the 220mph mark, which it unfortunately missed. Similarly, while the concept car had a 6.2L DOHC V12 powering the car with all-wheel drive, the production version underwhelmed with a 3.5L biturbo V6 and rear-wheel drive. With the McLaren F1 coming into the scene, the halo of the XJ220 was abruptly taken away. Nevertheless, Jaguar achieved sales success, and the XJ220 is still a symbol of Jaguar’s technological achievements and still one of the most desirable supercars from the 1990s.

The XK8 introduced in 1996 harkened back to the sleek grand touring coupe design of the E-Type. The second generation XK designed by Ian Callum is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful GTs of the 2000s. The high-performance XKR was powered by supercharged variants of the base V8 engines, originally displacing 4.2L for 410hp and later displacing 5L with direction injection for 503hp or more. While earlier Jaguars were known to suffer from varying degrees of poor reliability, the X150 XKR marked the peak of Jaguar’s reliability and build quality. While its commercial success made it far from rare, it is a modern classic treasured by enthusiasts.