Highlights

Beautifully presented
Just over 41,000 genuine miles from new
Excellent history
Original example

THE APPEAL

The first convertible Jaguars were available in 1986 through some select dealers after being modified by Hess & Eisenhardt, located in Ohio, USA, who were under contract from Jaguar to convert the cars into full convertibles. This was until 1988, when the official convertible XJ-S, like the one we have here today, became available, and as expected, it was a huge success.

The perfect British tourer can munch the miles with ease, thanks to the 5.3 litre V12 and automatic gearbox. Even better in the summer months with the roof dropped. This 1990 XJ-S looks to be an extremely original car, which in itself is something of a rare sight, but with the excellent history and very low mileage, if you are looking for that perfect XJ-S, then this is a serious contender, as finding another this original will be quite a task.

THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK

Registered 1st October 1990
MOT valid until 7th August 2023
Last MOT passed with no advisories
Comprehensive service history list
Service list backed up with invoices
Last oil, filter, and antifreeze change on 3rd August 2022
10,000 miles covered in the past 13 years
Original owner manual cassette tape
The vendor also has 42 various spares for the XJ-S, which are available by separate negotiation

THE INTERIOR

Doeskin (AEE) Leather interior
Burr walnut steering wheel
Original radio cassette player
Fuel trip computer

Inside, the Jaguar is in lovely condition and in no way would you say the interior matches the car's age. The colour of the interior is code AEE Doeskin. Opening the door, the seats are a sports style, similar in shape to a Recaro. There is a small amount of patina to the driver’s bolster seam, but nothing excessive. The passenger seat is in excellent condition, as is the optional extra rear seat, which doesn’t appear to have had a great deal of use.

Sitting in the driver's seat, the dashboard is finished in black, which is in good condition and with no splits. The burr walnut fascia is free from crazing to the lacquer and is in excellent condition across the dash. The instruments are nice and clean, with no apparent scratches to the faces, and everything is reported to work correctly. The odometer shows a reading of just 41,531 miles. The switchgear is all in excellent condition with no apparent signs of wear. Moving to the centre, the trip computer is reported to be working and just below it, which is nice to see, is the original radio cassette head unit. There is minimal cracking to the wood trim around the gear lever, but quite an easy item to replace should you wish.

The carpets are in excellent condition, having had rubber mats over them to protect them. Inside the boot is spotless; the spare wheel, jack and original tool kit are present, and all in excellent condition.

THE EXTERIOR

Regency Red (CFA) Paintwork presents extremely well
Upgraded headlights to twin round
Original alloy wheels
Chrome work is in excellent condition

Finished in paint code CFA, which is Regency Red, this is believed to be 95% original and presents exceptionally well. Starting at the front, the classic XJ-S front end is in excellent order, both the brightwork and the paintwork. Stone chips are minimal, and the lights are all in good order with no cracks to them. The lights were upgraded to the twin round lights in 2013, which give a more classic look to the XJ-S. The grille is nice and straight, with the V12 badge in good order. The bonnet aligns as it should with the grille and wings. Moving up the bonnet, the windscreen surround is in excellent condition, and the windscreen has no noticeable scratches.

The smooth flanks of the XJ-S don't disappoint, there are no dings or dents, and the panels have an equal gap. The door handles and chrome window trim are in excellent condition with no tarnishing. The convertible roof is in lovely condition and operates as quickly as it should, going up and down. There are just a couple of wear marks where it folds up on the corners, as you usually get with a fabric hood.

The rear of the Jag is as good as the rest. The boot aligns well with an equal gap, the lights are free from splits or cracks, and the bumper has a nice bright finish like the rest of the brightwork, together with the boot handle.

The wheels on the car are all original and in good condition. There is a tiny amount of surface corrosion on one wheel, but generally, they are in excellent condition for their age. The tyres are all matching and would be described as nearly new condition.

THE MECHANICS

5.4 litre V12
Superb service history
Rust-protected underside

Turn the key, and the V12 fires into life with ease and sounds fantastic, purring away from all 12 cylinders. Give it a gentle blip of the throttle, and it awakens nicely with no unwanted noises. The transmission is automatic, and the car is said to pull well through the gears, with the change being nice and smooth.

The XJ-S sits just as it should and looks as good as it handles; the car effortlessly soaks up the bumps on today's roads with ease. In addition, the vendor reports that the vehicle comes to a halt in a straight with no juddering through the pedal. The underside has been treated with a rust preventer and then sealed to futureproof it against any unwanted corrosion issues.

SUMMARY

The Jaguar has been well cared for over the years, having been owned by enthusiasts who have meticulously maintained the car, which is documented in the service history. Just 41,531 miles have passed through the XJ-S’s life in 32 years, making it a very rare find and sought-after example. Can you give this big cat a new home?

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