Although the Xj6 had been introduced with XK six-cylinder power under the bonnet, it had always been Jaguar's intention that its flagship saloon would accommodate the new all-alloy V12 engine that had debuted in the E-Type sports car, and the resulting XJ12 duly appeared in July 1972.

With a top speed of 145mph courtesy of the 5.3-litre V12's 272bhp, the newcomer combined high performance with a level of luxury unmatched by many a less-accommodating Grand Tourer costing several times as much.

The prohibitive expense of getting its two-door bodyshell to meet United States safety regulations meant that the Coupé version never went on sale in the USA, Jaguar's biggest export market.

Consequently the model is one of the rarest of the XJ family, being produced between 1975 and 1977, during which period only 1,873 were completed with the 5.3-litre V12 engine.

This example of one of the rarest and most highly sought-after of modern Jaguars was delivered to its first owner in Innsbruck, Au...