Rare Lynx Eventer leads a British big cat auction

Fewer than 70 shooting brake versions of the Jaguar XJ-S were crafted by British coachbuilder Lynx, and now one is up for grabs.

As the name suggests the Eventer was a car to drive to posh events, its extended luggage area having plenty of room for your polo gear, matched pair of Purdey shotguns, or picnic hamper from Fortnum & Mason. Lynx built just 67 cars over 16 years and the majority, like this 1983 example, were fitted with Jaguar’s venerable V-12. The 5.3-liter HE (High Efficiency) engine produced 295 hp so the Lynx should growl along very nicely, having covered less than 35,000 miles.

The Silver Green paintwork has been refreshed at some point and is complemented by a dark chocolate leather interior. Having won an award at the Salon Privé Concours in 2012 the car has seen very little use since and is said to require “an element of recommissioning.” As a result the estimated hammer price is just $35,000–$42,000.

The Eventer is but one car from a private collection of 40 Jaguars and Daimlers that will go up for auction at Classic Car Auctions on March 26. There are six other examples of the XJ-S, expected to fetch little more than $14,000 apiece, and if it’s V-12s sedans you like then there’s choice of 11 Daimler Double Sixes for sale. The oldest car in the collection is a 1959 Daimler Majestic and the youngest a 1994 Daimler Majestic.

Most of the cars are offered without reserve and that’s reflected in their condition. If you do bid on one of these big cats don’t expect it to be purr-fect.