200MPH INVESTMENT | THE JAGUAR XJ220

In the world of collectable cars, there are few topics that spark more debate than whether a classic can truly outperform the stock market. For most enthusiasts, ownership is about passion, heritage, and the thrill of the drive — not financial return. But now and then, a story emerges that blurs those lines entirely.

One such case? The Jaguar XJ220. Once the world’s fastest production car, this misunderstood supercar of the 1990s has quietly become one of the most compelling automotive investments of the last decade.

OVERLOOKED TO OVERPERFORMING

When Jaguar unveiled the XJ220 in 1992, it was a technical marvel — capable of 217 mph and wearing a price tag north of £400,000. Yet, the early ’90s recession and controversy over its switch from a V12 to a twin-turbo V6 saw demand evaporate almost overnight. Many cars sat unsold, and prices in the secondary market plummeted.

Fast-forward twenty years, and the tide has turned dramatically. Once dismissed as a failed halo car, the XJ220 is now celebrated for its rarity, performance and design purity — a true analogue supercar in an increasingly digital world. With just 281 examples built, it has entered the pantheon of blue-chip collectables.

Photo Credit: 2019 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

FACT OR FICTION?

Something we spotted recently, a viral post doing the rounds claimed: “You won’t believe me, but this old Jag has outperformed the stock market. You could have bought it for $195,000 in 2013 — today it’s worth over $700,000. That’s a 259% gain, or 11.24% a year. Over the same period, the MSCI World Index returned 210%.”

It’s a bold statement — but how true is it?

While it’s hard to verify that precise 2013 sale figure, market data supports the general trajectory. Back then, XJ220s could be found for around £150,000–£200,000 ($230,000–$300,000). Today, top-condition examples have achieved between £400,000 and £600,000, with rare, low-mileage cars breaking the £600,000 mark at auction.

Mathematically, that’s indeed a 200–250% rise — placing the car’s appreciation roughly on par with, or slightly above, global equity performance over the same period.

CARS VS STOCKS

The MSCI World Index, a benchmark tracking major developed markets, delivered around 10–12% annualised total returns between 2013 and 2025 (roughly +200–250% cumulative). So, an XJ220 purchased at the right time may well have kept pace with or even outperformed the stock market — at least in headline terms.

But here’s where the comparison falters:

- Owning a car involves costs — storage, maintenance, insurance, and upkeep.
- Market liquidity is limited — selling an XJ220 isn’t as simple as offloading shares.
- Values vary dramatically by condition, history, and originality.

So while the numbers are eye-catching, they don’t tell the full story.

Photo Credit: 2019 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

WHY THE XJ220

Beyond investment math, several factors explain the XJ220’s rise:

- Rarity – Only 281 examples were built, making it one of Jaguar’s rarest production models.
- Design & Performance – A genuine 200 mph car with race-derived engineering and timeless lines.
- Reappraisal – As the collector market matured, enthusiasts began valuing 1990s supercars with renewed respect.
- Analogue Appeal – In an era of hybrid hypercars, the XJ220’s raw driving experience feels increasingly special.

This shift has placed the car firmly in the company of icons such as the Ferrari F40, Porsche 959, and McLaren F1 — cars that once depreciated before becoming cornerstone collectables.

TAKEAWAY | INVESTING THROUGH PASSION

So, did the Jaguar XJ220 really beat the stock market?
In some cases, yes — potentially. But not every example, and not without costs, care, and a little bit of courage.

What the XJ220 truly demonstrates is that passion and performance can align — that a car built to chase records can, decades later, deliver returns beyond the financial. It’s proof that a well-chosen classic, maintained with knowledge and patience, can become both a driving experience and an appreciating asset.

At DM Historics, we’ve long believed that great cars are more than numbers on a spreadsheet. They’re tangible investments — in heritage, in craftsmanship, and in the joy of motoring itself. Every car we handle is selected for its provenance, engineering integrity and long-term appeal. Because when you invest through passion, you don’t just watch value rise — you drive it.