The very first production spec Lynx Eventer will be going under the hammer in Silverstone Auctions’ Autumn Sale on September 20th.

The incredibly rare car, one of just 67 produced, is a shooting brake version of Jaguar’s XJS V12 HE. Each car was hand- built to order in East Sussex on a custom-made jig taking 14 weeks from order to delivery. The major change was the removal of the XJS’ buttresses replaced instead by an extended roof with rear and side windows offering a vast expanse of glass.

Managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, said: “We’re no stranger to these beautiful estate cars having sold build number 40 at The Silverstone Classic Sale in July. These cars are incredibly rare and offer an unusual and practical classic car ownership experience.”

The Eventer was applauded by the contemporary motoring press for the way it drove, and a marked improvement on the Jaguar it was based on. The rearward shift in weight distribution required stiffer rear suspension but the XJS accepted this modification gracefully. The Eventer actually weighed less than the standard XJS so acceleration was sharper. Testament to the skills of British engineers working in small workshops up and down the land, the Lynx team created a car that drove like the product of a multi-million pound R&D programme, matched by a level of finish and detail to rival the best.

This important 1982 example, estimated at between £25,000 and £30,000, was the first to be sold to the public. 1 HOP was also used extensively in Lynx marketing featuring in the factory brochure and magazines of the time. Copies of the original brochure and press cuttings on the car are included in the substantial history file.

The car is offered for sale having been in storage for the last 15 years and is in need of restoration.

For more information on the car please visit http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1982-lynx-eventer-v12.