Automotive youtuber and long-standing C&D brand ambassador Tom Exton (TGE), has secured his dream Jaguar XJ220 after years of patience and careful monitoring of the market. "I actually tried to buy one of these a couple of years ago," Tom revealed in his collection video, "but I've finally done it.".
The car in question is a 1996 Le Mans Blue XJ220, chassis 124, with just 10,000 miles on the clock. It’s one of only 69 right-hand-drive examples produced out of a total 281. Importantly, Tom acquired it through specialist finance with Charles & Dean rather than paying outright. For Tom, financing was part of a strategic approach to asset acquisition.
Tom’s purchase wasn’t purely emotional. He described the XJ220 as “incredibly misunderstood, undervalued, and with excellent potential for appreciation.” Working with Charles & Dean, he was able to preserve liquidity for his businesses whilst acquiring a high-quality, appreciating asset.
The numbers also back up his argument. Originally priced at £450,000, the XJ220’s value today would equate to roughly £1 million. Yet current market prices remain between £400,000-£550,000. By comparison, contemporary Ferrari F40s now exceed £2-2.5 million, and McLaren F1s sell for £15-20 million.
Tom also emphasised the car’s genuine credentials: “This was a member of the 200mph club. It was the fastest production car in the world. I’m calling this a ’90s hypercar.’”
For Tom, the XJ220 represents the pinnacle of British engineering. "This was the car you wanted in Top Trumps. It’s peak British car-making."
Developed by Jaguar’s “Saturday Club”, twelve engineers working in their spare time under Jim Randle, the car debuted at the 1988 Birmingham Motor Show. Jaguar received around 1,500 deposits of £50,000 each.
Production specs were remarkable:
While the switch from a V12 to a twin-turbo V6 was controversial, Tom saw it as a strength: “You got a proper race-proven engine in the back.”
After years of monitoring the market, Tom sourced his XJ220 through Pendine Historic. The car came equipped with Don Law Racing’s £50,000 big brake conversion, an upgrade Tom deemed essential. Don Law Racing remains the global authority on XJ220 maintenance, having acquired Jaguar’s entire parts inventory after the ten-year spares obligation ended.
“Doing 200 mph on the original brakes wasn’t realistic,” Tom noted. “Even though they’re not original, these upgrades are highly valued.”
This deal example highlights the benefits of specialist classic car finance. Options with tailored balloon payments allow collectors to preserve capital while leveraging potential asset appreciation.
Key factors making the XJ220 ideal for finance included:
Traditional lenders don’t always understand low-production hypercars, making specialist finance essential. Charles & Dean’s expertise ensured favourable terms, taking into account both the car’s rarity and long-term appreciation potential.
The XJ220 now joins a collection that includes a Porsche Carrera GT, Ferrari 250 GT, and Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Tom consistently seeks cars with:
Patience Pays - Waiting for the right example with low mileage, upgrades, and desirable specification is essential.
Specialist Support Matters - From Pendine Historic, to Don Law Racing and Charles & Dean, expert guidance is key.
Finance Enables Smart Collecting - Specialist finance allows collectors to preserve capital while securing appreciating assets.
For collectors considering a model similar to the XJ220, or any high-value classic, Charles & Dean provide bespoke finance solutions often unavailable through traditional lenders. Specialist financing can help turn a significant upfront cost into structured monthly payments, allowing buyers to preserve capital while accessing their dream car.
Whether you’re drawn to the XJ220’s heritage, performance, or long-term value, Charles & Dean can structure finance aligned with your broader strategy, just as we did for TGE.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
If Tom’s journey has inspired you to consider financing your own modern classic, hypercar or rare collector model, Charles & Dean are here to help.
Book a consultation with Charles & Dean to explore finance options tailored to you. We specialise in creating bespoke solutions that turn dream cars into reality with clarity, confidence, and expert guidance at every stage.
Book a no-obligation consultation today to see how much you could save - personalised quotes and rates are available within 24 hours. Contact us now or call 01780 763836.