This is the 1991 JaguarSport XJR-15 (042). The JaguarSport XJR-15 was developed by Scottish racing driver Tom Walkinshaw, founder of Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR). His relationship with Jaguar rose after success racing a Jaguar XJ-S in the 1982 European Touring Car Championship. By 1988, the TWR-designed Jaguar XJR-9 won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With demand growing for a racing road car, TWR and Jaguar Cars Limited formed JaguarSport in the late 1980s to develop the XJR-15 and XJ220. Initially dubbed ‘XJR-14’, ‘R9-R’, or ‘S3’ internally, the Peter Stevens-designed XJR-15 was mechanically based on the running gear of the the Tony Southgate-designed, ahead-of-it’s-time, Le Mans-winning XJR-9LM. Stevens began with the ex-Win Percy XJR-8 tub, building a Le Mans-style road car per Walkinshaw’s request. Stevens later revised the carbon monocoque for road use, while Jim Router and David Fullerton tuned the chassis. Carbon fiber work was done by Astec Composites and Dove. Andy Morrison served as project manager, with Charlie Bamber and Martin Smith developing the engine under Allan Scott. It was also built to race in the 1991 Jaguar Sport Intercontinental Challenge—held at Monaco, Silverstone, and Spa—with 16 cars entered and two spares prepared. In total, 50 XJR-15s were made, including race cars, LM versions, road cars, and 2 R9R prototypes, each with unique differences. This particular example, which sold with @rmsothebys during their 2023 Amelia Island Auction showed just 153 miles on the odometer. This example was delivered to a collector in Asia in July 1991 via the NYK-operated container ship Kitano, this car remained on static display in the original owner’s collection until it was shipped to the U.S. in late 2022.
How many made? 50 total (+2 prototypes)
Engine: 6.0L 450hp naturally aspirated 24-valve Jaguar V12 engine
Debut: 1991 at the Silverstone circuit
Top Speed: around 191mph
0-60mph: around 3.9 seconds
Photo Credit: @am_media_ny
Research: @rarecarsonly