1978 Jaguar XJS Trans-Am Group 44 Race Car
- Engine
- 5.3L V12 with six Weber carburetors
- Colour
- Original 1978 race livery (unrestored)
The Group 44 Jaguar XJS chassis 78-44 is a purpose-built Trans-Am racing car that won seven consecutive races to close the 1978 season, securing both the Category 1 Drivers' Championship and the Manufacturers' title for Bob Tullius and Jaguar. Built on a tube-frame chassis with an acid-dipped body, it remained in Tullius's keeping for three decades before passing to a Jaguar specialist collector who commissioned a mechanical restoration. The car retains its original 1978 race livery without cosmetic restoration.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$207,200
- 1978 → 2007-12-01Factory deliveryBob Tullius / Group 44full documentation
Tullius received the car for racing in the 1978 Trans-Am season; after retirement from competition it was stored by him for roughly three decades before being sold.
- 2007-12-01 → 2013Private saleGary Bartlettfull documentation
Marque collector who commissioned UK-based Jaguar specialist Chris Keith-Lucas to carry out a mechanical restoration including a full engine rebuild.
- 2013 →Private saleCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Third owner of the car; obtained an FIA Historic Technical Passport and FIVA card during this period of ownership.
Competition
- 1977Trans-Am1977 Trans-Am Season — Category 1 divisionDriver: Bob TulliusCategory 1 Drivers' Championship
Tullius campaigned an XJS under Quaker State sponsorship; this entry covers the preceding season with a different car, not chassis 78-44.
- 1978-06-01Trans-Am1978 Trans-Am, WestwoodDriver: Bob Tullius2nd
Early-season round held at Westwood, British Columbia; one of the first outings for the purpose-built tube-frame XJS.
- 1978-06-01Trans-Am1978 Trans-Am, PortlandDriver: Bob Tullius3rd
Contested approximately one week after the Westwood round.
- 1978-06-25Trans-Am1978 Trans-Am, Mont TremblantDriver: Bob Tullius1st
First victory for this chassis; began a run of seven straight wins to end the season.
- 1978-09-01Trans-Am1978 Trans-Am, Road AmericaDriver: Bob Tullius1st
Win that clinched the Drivers' Championship for Tullius in the 1978 season.
- 1978-11-01Trans-Am1978 Trans-Am, Mexico CityDriver: Bob Tullius1st
Season-closing round; victory secured the Manufacturers' title for Jaguar.
- 2009-03-012009 Amelia Island Concours d'EleganceFIVA Award winner
Car was shown under Gary Bartlett's ownership following mechanical restoration.
- 2011-08-012011 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion
Displayed at Laguna Seca during this historic motorsport gathering.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1978ModificationGroup 44
Factory acid-dipped body to reduce weight, then mounted on a purpose-built tube-frame chassis with a 32-gallon fuel cell; fitted with a 5.3-litre V-12 equipped with six Weber carburettors for Trans-Am competition.
Body supplied by the factory; race preparation and chassis construction carried out by Group 44.
- 2013Inspection
Car certified for major historic events via the issue of an FIA Historic Technical Passport and a FIVA identity card.
Certification obtained approximately two years after the 2011 Laguna Seca display.
- —Engine rebuildChris Keith-Lucas
Comprehensive mechanical restoration including a full engine rebuild, carried out by Jaguar specialist Chris Keith-Lucas in England.
Commissioned by Gary Bartlett following his acquisition of the car in December 2007; completed prior to the March 2009 Amelia Island concours appearance.
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