1989 Jaguar XJ-S V12 Convertible Auto
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Highlights
- Sought-after classic British grand tourer
- Recently refurbished for use at the wedding of the owners daughter
- Original UK RHD car that spent many years in the south of France
The Appeal
Jaguar’s luxury grand tourer, the XJ-S, was launched in 1975 and stayed in the company’s line-up, in thre distinct iterations, until it was finally superseded by the XK-8 in 1996. By the time the last car rolled off the production line more than 115, 000 had been produced – more than Jaguar managed with the legendary E-type.
Having had a mixed reception at launch, the car has matured into a bona fide – and highly desirable – classic. Renowned for effortless performance and a high level of refinement, both straight-six and V12 versions of the car offer a high-quality driving experience.
Having spent half its life inland on the French/Spanish border, this example presents in excellent condition for its age, have been subject to a sympathetic refurbishment by the vendor.
The History and Paperwork
- Previous MoT certificates
- MoT valid until April 2024
- Appropriate registration number
- Current V5
- Original leather folder
- Original owner’s manual
- Original service book
- Service history right through to 103, 000 miles
- Original contemporary brochure
- French paperwork
- Recent invoices
- Featured in XJ-S Owners’ Club magazine, XJS Today, in August 2022
Having always wanted an XJ-S, the vendor was presented with an opportunity to look for one when his daughter announced that she wanted a convertible as a wedding car. A protracted search ensued until he came across this example, advertised for sale in southern France by a long-term owner. When the deal was done, the French owner (who also uses a 250,000-mile XJ-S coupé as a daily driver) drove the car to the UK to complete the sale.
The vendor then had a considerable amount of work done to prepare the car for his daughter’s big day, including a respray in the Moorland Green metallic paint it left the factory with. The car performed faultlessly on the wedding day and the vendor wrote the whole story up for the August 2022 issue of XJS Today, the magazine for the owners’ club.
However, with other cars in his collection, and having lost the use of his triple garage following a house move, the vendor has decided that the XJ-S has to go.
The desirable registration number will remain on the car for the new owner.
The Interior
- Leather seats with electrical adjustment
- Heated front seats
- Driver’s seat in need of repair
- ‘Ski slope’ centre console refurbished by vendor
- Lockable rear storage compartment
- Excellent door cards
- Electric windows
- Vanity mirror in glovebox
- Original toolkit, all complete
- Warning triangles
- Sound spare wheel
- Clarion radio/cassette player
- Door speakers
The interior here shows some signs of the car’s age and mileage, most notably on the driver’s seat, where the base is split in two places. The passenger seat also has some slight damage where the stitching on the base has come adrift, and there’s a nick in the piping.
The walnut dash has some deterioration, with the varnish cracked and damaged in places, and the vendor refurbished the ‘ski-slope’ centre-console himself soon after buying the car.
The carpets and mats are in very good condition, and there’s a handy (lockable) storage compartment behind the seats.
In the boot, there’s a spare wheel and cover, plus the original toolbox with all its tools, and warning triangles in a matching sleeve.
The Exterior
- Iconic grand-tourer profile
- Moorland Green paintwork in excellent condition
- Resprayed in 2022
- Wheels in extremely good condition
- Recent Pirelli P600 tyres
- Excellent hood
- Hood cover
- Good badges and brightwork
- Euro-spec headlights
The vendor had the car repainted in advance of his daughter’s wedding and consequently the bodywork presents extremely well. There are two small ridges evident on the bonnet, on close inspection, where the ‘leaping cat’ mascot was removed in the past. Otherwise, the Moorland Green paint looks great.
Also, there’s a ding in the offside of the rear bumper and some minor dents in the chrome windscreen surround, and one of the rear fog-lights is cracked.
The car is still fitted with European-spec headlights, from its days in France, and as the vendor liked the appearance of these he’s left them on and fitted headlamp adaptors to satisfy UK MoT requirements.
The vendor believes that the hood was replaced around 2006, before the car was sold to its French owner, and it stills looks extremely good, plus there’s the added bonus of a hood cover.
The alloy wheels are in remarkably good condition, and there are recent Pirelli P600 tyres fitted all round.
The Mechanics
- 5.3-litre V12 engine
- 3-speed auto transmission
- Rear-wheel drive
- Starts and runs beautifully
- No warning lights
- Clean and tidy underneath
- Hood mechanism operates well
- £1394 spent on rear brakes in May 2022
On the day of our photo shoot the cars 2yr old battery needed some help from a starter pack having had limited use for a while, but it sprang readily into life and ran smoothly. The vendor reports that it’s a joy to drive.
The electric hood mechanism works well, but the window on the passenger side was sticking when lifting on the day – this will likely need investigation by the new owner.
Under the bonnet, the engine has the inevitable signs of its age and mileage but there’s no obvious leaks or corrosion, and similarly the underside of the car all looks good.
Following an MoT advisory note, the vendor had the rear brakes refurbished in May 2022, with new discs and pads, and issues with the handbrake resolved; the invoice for this (£1394) is included in the paperwork.
Summary
Now a sought-after classic, the XJS has a keen following and good specialist and parts support. With a refined interior and strong performance, its grand-touring credentials are impeccable.
Looking smart in its recent Moorland Green paintwork, and with its appropriate numberplate, F 21 XJS has only a few minor issues to address to become a stunning modern classic.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1981
- Make Jaguar
- Model XJS
- Colour Green
- Odometer 122,622 Miles
- Engine size 5343
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Sailsbury
- Location Wiltshire
- Country United Kingdom
14
bids
from 6
bidders
- st•••• £6,700 08/04/24
- ta•••• £6,600 08/04/24
- st•••• £6,500 08/04/24
- ta•••• £6,400 08/04/24
- st•••• £6,300 08/04/24
- JS•••• £6,200 08/04/24
- st•••• £6,100 08/04/24
- st•••• £6,000 06/04/24
- bt•••• £5,500 05/04/24
- st•••• £5,000 03/04/24
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