The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum has recently added a remarkable piece to its collection: a 1987 Jaguar XJR-7, generously donated by Jim Rogers from Vero Beach, Florida. This vehicle was developed by Group 44, an American racing team led by Bob Tullius, specifically for the IMSA GT Championship.
The XJR-7, chassis XJR-7/001, is particularly notable as it is the first model of its kind and boasts an impressive racing history. Equipped with a powerful 7.0L Jaguar V-12 engine generating 720 hp, it is adorned in the iconic white, green, and gold Group 44 colors. The car made its debut at the 1985 Daytona 3 Hours, finishing fourth, and went on to compete in several IMSA seasons, piloted by esteemed drivers including Hurley Haywood, Brian Redman, and John Morton. It achieved Group 44’s final victory at the West Palm Beach 3 Hours.
The XJR-7’s last competitive outing was at the 1988 Daytona 24 Hours before it was sold to the Rogers in 1992. Harry Hurst, the museum’s director of programs, emphasized the car’s significance, noting it was the most advanced vehicle produced by Group 44 and successfully faced off against formidable competitors like the Porsche 962 and Nissan GTP.
The XJR-7 joins an extensive lineup of over 70 vehicles at the museum that chronicles the history of endurance racing, including a 1966 Ford GT40 MkII and a 1970 Porsche 917 LH. Kevin Kelly, the museum’s executive director, praised the car as a testament to American ingenuity in motorsport.
