Limited use since 2007 and garaged when not in use
Very solid car in good, useable condition
Attractive Bordeaux Red metallic paint only available for two years
The Appeal
Jaguar’s clever 1980s metamorphosis of the early XJS into a more luxurious and stylish car gave the model a new lease of life and unlocked what made the car so different from its competitors. That can be summed up by the superlative V12 under the bonnet: smooth, relaxing, unruffled and very quick.
This lovely low mileage Bordeaux Red metallic XJS demonstrates just how good those svelte, distinctive lines look. It has been in the hands of the Seller since 1998. Although little used in recent years, which likely accounts for the very presentable and solid condition, it nevertheless has a good history file showing ongoing servicing and maintenance. It looks very useable and either a great introduction or a great reminder for would-be buyers of just how good these silky smooth V12 models are.
The History And Paperwork
First road registered 5th October 1987
VIN confirms this as a standard V12 XJS built towards the end of 1987
MOT to 1st August 2023 with no advisories
Previous owner purchased it in 1998
It has been owned by the current owner since 14th April 2017
All handbooks and service books included
Stamped service book to 1993 and 64,354 miles with invoices thereafter for ongoing servicing work
Thick folder of old MOTs to confirm mileage
Invoices for ongoing maintenance work by the Seller
The Interior
Biscuit leather interior piped with burgundy and in very good condition
Good carpets and Jaguar overmats
Wood veneers generally in very good condition
Original Jaguar sound system
Cruise control, air conditioning and heated front seats as standard
Small rear seats with seatbelts
New headlining fitted in 2013
All accessories work, including the electric aerial
It is in the interior of XJS models like this one where Jaguar’s early 80s redevelopment of the model is most obvious. Out went the vinyl, in came acres of wood veneer and leather, all creating the sort of luxurious, upmarket feel that Jaguar buyers expected from this most grand touring of GT cars.
The interior of this car is in very good condition, likely reflecting the low mileage and limited use over recent years. The biscuit leather interior is piped in burgundy to match the bodywork, a colour combination that seems to work particularly well on this car.
The leather is generally in very good condition: any wear is very localised, very limited and typical of this age of car. It is most evident on the driver’s seat where the side bolster is beginning to wear, there are some creases in the leather and the edge of the base has a small scuff. This seat would likely respond well to some hide feed. The rest of the seats are in very good condition. There is some wear to the right hand edge of the centre armrest but, again, this is minor.
The door trims, finished in the same colour as the seats, are in very good condition, including the veneers and chrome fittings.
The headlining, a common bugbear on XJS models, was replaced in 2013 and does not appear to be sagging or have any visible marks.
Likewise the carpets, in a darker shade of biscuit, are in very good condition, including the carpeting of the lower door trim. The factory overmats are present and complete, only the driver’s showing some marks that would likely shampoo out.
The plentiful walnut veneers are in generally very good condition, with none of the delamination that can affect the many corners and edges. The deterioration is limited to a crack on the left hand side of the central air vents panel and what appears to be a surface mark on the centre console ‘ski slope’ between the windows switches and the gear selector. Another thing the seller noted is that the fuel gauge reads low.
XJS’ of this period were well equipped with cruise control, air conditioning and heated seats. There are even two ashtrays, presumably for the front seat occupants’ cigars. There is also a period Jaguar factory sound system, also untested.
The Exterior
Attractive and rare Bordeaux Red metallic paintwork only available for two years in 1987 and 1988
Standard 15inch ‘lattice’ style Jaguar alloy wheels
Falken tyres fitted dating to 2008
Chrome and all fittings in very good condition
When Jaguar revamped the XJS in the early 1980s they chose to keep the car’s distinctive metawork but drizzle it with chrome. The makeover was very effective, helping this era of XJS seem more distinctive and upmarket. Production quality was also significantly improved, which means many more cars from this era have survived.
The paintwork on this low mileage car appears to be original and is generally in very good condition. It is Bordeaux Red, an attractive metallic finish that was only available for the 1987 and 1988 XJS model years. The bodywork is in similar condition, appearing very solid with none of the usual corrosion problems that can beset Jaguars of this era. For example, the door bottoms are very good and the sills and arches similar.
The signs of age are very limited and could either be left or gradually improved whilst enjoying the car. We list them for transparency but all are difficult to see in the photographs.
On the nearside there appears to be an area of either deterioration or older repair in the chrome on the rear bumper blade. There is a small tear in the pinstriping on the rear wing beside the door and there are some light scuffs in the rubber on the front bumper nearside return.
On the offside there is a small bubble of corrosion on the tip of the front wing top. This wing also has a small chip on the wheel arch. The driver’s door has a number of small parking dings on the swage line and there is a 1mm bubble of corrosion below the door handle. There are also two scuffs on the inside edge of this door where it has met the interior trim.
The front edge of the rear wheel arch, where the wing meets the sill, shows a bubble of corrosion. The rear wing also has a small tear in the pinstriping at the rear edge.
At the back of the car the rear bumper has deformed slightly around the nearside fog lamp. The chrome on this bumper also appears to have been repaired. The offside fog lamp as a small crack in it.
The front of the car is very good, in particular the headlamps – which can be very hard to replace – are in excellent condition. The chrome windscreen surround appears to have a small number of marks on the top edge.
The attractive Jaguar factory lattice wheels are each kerbed and would benefit from reconditioning to bring them up to the standard of the rest of the car. They are fitted with Falken tyres – date stamps on the tyres and the history file indicate these were fitted in 2008. Although the car has travelled few miles since and they have plenty of tread left, it may be advisable to replace them.
The Mechanics
5.3litre V12 285bhp fuel injected Jaguar engine with revised 'High Efficiency' HE head
3spd automatic gearbox
Stamped service book to 64,354 miles then invoices for servicing work
ECU repaired in 2014
Rear suspension overall in 2000 including subframes
Suspension work in 2008
Covered less than 10,000 miles since 2007
Jaguar’s vast V12 was specifically designed to out-smooth its V8-equipped American rivals. That it is possible to balance a 50p piece on the top of a well maintained example suggest they achieved just that. The engine was revamped in the early 1980s with a 'high efficiency' HE head that delivered better fuel economy and therefore enabled the motor to continue in production.
The 5.3litre engine is good for around 285bhp and power is delivered via a robust 3spd automatic. The motor fills the XJS’ engine bay and has a reputation for complexity but in reality a well maintained V12 is as durable and capable of high mileages as any engine. They key is keeping the coolant mix right and keeping up with the servicing regime.
This low mileage XJS has a good history file showing ongoing servicing work throughout its life. The stamped service book goes up to 1993 and 64,354. In 2007 it had covered 77,000 miles and it has covered less than 86,000 miles now. Reflecting this limited use, the history file shows invoices for servicing work in 2006, 2016, 2011 and 2018. The buyer may wish to check with the Seller when the car was last serviced.
The Seller, who has owned the car since 1998, has also undertaken other useful maintenance work. The ECU was overhauled in 2014 and new brake pads were fitted in the same year. Further back the suspension was attended to in 2008 and XJS enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the rear subframe was worked on extensively in 2000.
Summary
The XJS was maligned on its launch but matured during the 1980s into a supremely stylish and capable luxury GT car. Quality was also improved, making these cars very useable modern classics.
This attractive, low mileage XJS not only looks good but has the added advantage of that turbine-smooth V12 Jaguar engine. The condition reflects the limited use and there is a good history file. It looks solid and very useable and ready for a summer grand tour.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
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1987 Jaguar XJS V12 HE Auto
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