Majesetic Three by Letitia Mace

letitia746
Feb 28
4 min read

TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THE NAME ‘MAJESTIC ’ WAS FIRST COINED BY

DAIMLER BEFORE THEY WERE BROUGHT OUT BY JAGUAR IN 1960, SO, W HEN IT WAS

USED BY JAGUAR IN 1989/90 FOR THE USA MARKET, IT WAS NOT ENTIRELY NEW.

Vanden Plas Majestic

In the USA the base specification XJ6 is built to UK Sovereign specification and the Vanden Plas is built to UK Daimler specification. In order to provide a third tier to the USA market offering, Jaguar produced the “Vanden Plas Majestic” - a limited edition of circa 527 cars with a standard wheelbase, 4 litre engine and a host of extra luxuries and unique features. Most were finished in Regency Red, although we have been made aware of a few in Black Cherry.

This Majestic is not to be confused with the later car, a long wheel base XJ40/XJ81. Circa 270 of which were produced, being built by Jaguar at the factory for the 1993 and 1994 model years only and available to most markets across the globe.

Long Wheel-base Majestic

Unlike its namesake, which preceded it by a couple of years, this was a sophisticated conversion, rather than ‘badge engineering’ accompanied by a few trim upgrades and signature colour scheme.

Part finished body shells were supplied by Jaguar to Project Aerospace in Coventry. Here the floorpan was lengthened by 5 inches, immediately behind the B-post.

A bespoke roof, which was longer and 2 inches higher (at the rear) than that of a standard XJ40, was manufactured and added. B-posts, door frames and rear doors were all bespoke, to fit a car that was not only longer, but also higher than standard. The rear screen is larger and set at a steeper angle than a standard XJ40.

The completed shells were then returned to Brown’s Lane to be added to the production line and finished alongside the standard wheelbase cars.

Due to their added length and roof height some parts are unique to these cars, such as, the fuel lines, propshaft, all glass (except windscreen) and trim details, all of which were bespoke items manufactured specifically for these cars, rather than adapted or extended from existing parts.

In the case of a Majestic XJ40 finished to Insignia specification, the shell was returned to the production line via the SVO department where it would be painted and supplied with any requested special trim details before final finishing.

How often do you see an XJ40 Majestic?

Would you know a Majestic if you saw one?

Rob Jenner has owned 8 of the 71 cars that were built for the UK market and we currently have three, one of which must go as we are short of storage space. So, while we still have 3 I thought I should make a record of this because each one is different, and two are unique, as far as our extensive research can confirm. We are happy to be proven wrong if another one of these splendid cars is found, previously hidden away somewhere in the world!

3.2 Gold Majestic - Regency Red with Magnolia Hide Trim

According to the build records, 3 Majestics were produced in XJ40 run out specification, marketed as the limited edition ‘Gold’. This is the only 3.2 ‘Majestic Gold’ produced in Regency Red with Magnolia hide trim.

It was supplied, via Lancaster Jaguar, to Northampton City Council as the official car for the Mayor of Northampton and first registered NH1.

The whereabouts of the other two cars is unknown.

4.0 Sovereign Majestic - Regency Red with Magnolia Hide Trim

Of the 71 RHD UK Majestic XJ40’s 39 were 4.0 litre, and of those, only 2 were produced in Regency Red with Magnolia hide trim.

This one was retained by Browns Lane for over 12 months before being registered to the Jaguar company fleet. Later it was supplied via Rossleigh Jaguar to Perth City Council as the official car for the Mayor of Perth.

4.0 Daimler Majestic Insignia - White Pearl with Cream Hide Trim

Only 63 of the Majestic XJ40’s were trimmed to Insignia specification, and only 7 of those were for the UK RHD market. This one is very special, being the only one of its kind in this colour scheme.

Ordered new by a Saudi Royal family, when the Insignia Range was available, it was retained at their London home to be chauffeur driven only when they were in the UK, hence the ultra-low mileage of 11,000 when purchased by us. To date it has covered less than 15,000 genuine miles in total and has a full and comprehensive history.

Specified without the Insignia badges, it is finished in stunning ‘White Pearl’ pearlescent, a colour that shimmers and changes with the light, and is unique to the Insignia Range. It is beautifully trimmed in Cream Autolux hide and deep burr walnut, with a matching factory fitted phone handset.

Of the 314 Insignia cars produced worldwide, only 7 were ordered in White Pearl, 3 Daimlers and 4 Jaguars. Of these 7, only 3 were Majestic Insignia cars, and this is the only RHD example.

Please note

All figures quoted here are approximate, as occasionally a new car comes to light that had been incorrectly recorded on the original build records.