1982 JAGUAR XJR-5
Backed by funding from Jaguar, and their magnificent 6.2L, V12 power plant, Bob Tullius’ American firm, Group 44, constructed the XJR-5 for competition in North America’s International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) GTP class, as well as an all-out effort for an overall win in sports car racing’s most sought after prize- the 24 Hours of Lemans. The XJR-5 project represented Jaguar’s re-entry into international motorsports after a 20 year absence. Noted ground effects specialist Lee Dykstra was engaged by Group 44 to design the chassis, intelligently using the slim but long V12 unit as a stressed member and therefore allowing more room for underbody aerodynamics. Randy Witeen designed the simple yet curvaceous body that is regarded by many as being one of the most beautiful shapes in the GTP field.
IMSA’s GTP proved to be one of America’s golden eras for road racing, hotly contested by a number of major manufactures including Porsche, BMW, Ford, Chevrolet, and Buick, among many other smaller makes. While Porsche remained dominate throughout the era, Jaguar proved to be their only major competitor, logging 12 wins in total.
This particular car, s/n 001, is the very first XJR-5 constructed, initially track tested in June of 1982. The new design proved instantly victorious with a class win in its initial outing at the Road America Pabst 500 during that same year, driven by Bob Tullius and Bill Adam. During the 1983 GTP season Tullius, driving alone, again found himself on the podium, scoring a second place at Laguna Seca. More recently, s/n 001 was invited to participate at the 2000 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it was exhibited by Tullius himself, who can be in large part credited with the car’s achievements in period.
The car was purchased by the current owner direct from Group 44, effectively making this example a one-owner vehicle. Period racecar driver and long time enthusiast Jim Busby, having recently restored Jaguar XJR-5, s/n 010, was contracted to restore this example to event ready specification for the current owner. The work was done in a no-expense spared fashion, and the results are outstanding.
The restoration work included rebuilding the suspension corners, with fresh plating, new seals, bearings, jam nuts and washers. The brakes calipers were rebuilt and re-plated, as was the master cylinder. The radiator was removed, checked, and cleaned. The fire bottle was recharged, the pedal assembly was rebuilt and re-plated, and seat was reconditioned. The air jack, cooling, and oiling systems were all rebuilt as required for competition purposes.
The engine was rebuilt by marquee specialist Ed Pink, and dyno tested at 625 horsepower. Before being mated to the Hewland VG 600, a new clutch and throughout bearing was installed, as was a new input shaft. The CV joints were rebuilt and new boots installed. The engine ancillary bits were also freshened, including the starter, alternator, and water pump. The headers are freshly jet coated, and a new battery with battery tender has been installed.
Additionally, the car was repainted in its original racing livery from the 1983 season, the tub nicely polished, and the dash refinished. The car was successfully track tested in December of 2010 at Willow Springs with period racer Rick Knoop at the wheel, and delivered directly to Fantasy Junction for sale. Accordingly the car presents extremely well, with excellent racecar cosmetics inside and out, and evidence of all the recent attention to detail paid by Jim Busby’s workshop. The car has an amazing, larger than life presence in person, and is a welcome change from the comparatively common Porsche 956/962.
This specific chassis, s/n 001, represents Jaguar’s re-entry into international motorsports after a two-decade absence, and with a GTP win by endurance racing legends Tullius and Bill Adams to its credit, cannot be overlooked as a historically significant piece of Jaguar’s prototype competition history. Although collectable, there are an increasing number of racing venues around the globe in which to use this fantastic automobile, where the V12 exhaust note is sure to garner much positive attention. Accompanying the car is a significant spares package including team memorabilia, to assist the new owner it his racing exploits.
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Located in California
photo and edited text credit: fantasyjunction.com
