PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum has expanded its collection of historic endurance racing cars with the acquisition of a 1987 Jaguar XJR-7, one of the few examples built for IMSA competition and a car with a documented professional racing history.
The vehicle, donated by Jim Rogers of Vero Beach, Florida, has been added to the museum’s collection of more than 70 historic sports and racing cars, the museum announced.
Known as chassis XJR-7/001, the car was developed by the Group 44 racing team led by Bob Tullius for the IMSA GT Championship. Powered by a 7.0-liter Jaguar V12 engine producing 720 horsepower, it debuted with a fourth-place finish at the 1985 Daytona 3 Hours before competing in multiple IMSA seasons.
The Jaguar was driven during its racing career by Hurley Haywood, Brian Redman and John Morton. It also recorded what became Group 44’s final race victory at the West Palm Beach 3 Hours before making its last competitive appearance at the 1988 Rolex 24 at Daytona.
“XJR-7/001 was the culmination of three decades of racing excellence by Group 44 and Bob Tullius,” Harry Hurst, the museum’s director of programs, said. “It was the fastest, most powerful, and most sophisticated car the small group had ever produced.”
The museum said Bob Tullius retained the car after its retirement before selling it to Jim and Mary Rogers in 1992.
Executive Director Kevin Kelly described the Jaguar as an important addition to the museum’s collection because of its role in American sports car racing and endurance competition.
The XJR-7 is now on public display at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, 6825-31 Norwitch Drive in Philadelphia. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and free for children younger than 18.
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