This historically important Jaguar is one of only four factory-backed XJ12C Broadspeed race cars and the most original survivor.

In March 1976 Leyland Cars announced that the Jaguar marque would return to the world of international racing with its plans to contend the European Championship for Touring Cars with two XJ12C 5.3 coupes, which were to be driven by Derek Bell/David Hobbs and Andy Rouse/Steve Thompson. The cars were built under contract by Broadspeed Engineering Ltd, a tuning and engineering company founded by Ralph Broad, which had previously achieved some success in campaigning MkI BMC Minis and Ford Cologne Capris.