Highlights
- Full service history with recent work
- £5,400 mechanical refurbishment
- Resprayed in 2015 with few miles since
- MOT to March 2025 with no advisories
- Smart and usable V12 convertible
The Appeal
In 1988 Jaguar delivered what enthusiasts had been waiting for: a new drop head coupe. The V12 convertible broadened the XJ-S’ appeal and gave buyers a svelte GT cruiser quite unlike anything else on the market.
All those reasons explain the enduring popularity of these factory drop tops. Good examples, particularly equipped with the illustrious V12, are excellent weekend drivers or long distance holiday road trip wheels.
This one has been enjoyed for both, a sparingly used early convertible that has spent much of the last 10 years in the warm climes of the South of France. That has helped the 2015 respray hold up well. It presents with the buyer in stand-out red and very usable condition. The service history shows regular and ongoing maintenance up to 3,000 miles ago.
Recent work includes a £5,400 mechanical refurbishment so that it drives as well as these supremely comfortable cars were intended to do. With few miles since the last service and a long, advisory-free MOT, this smart car is ready to enjoy.
History and Paperwork
- First registered 15th June 1988 making it an early convertible
- DVLA UK V5 in vendor’s name
- Previously registered in France
- Spent 10 years in Southern France
- Eight registered keepers
- Current keeper acquired car in December 2016
- Regularly serviced during current keeper's tenure, although paperwork is limited
- MOT to 26th March 2025 with no advisories and 100,851 miles showing on test
- Extensive recent mechanical work shown in photographs and summarised below
- Full handbook set in good condition
- Stamped service book with latest service at 98,143 miles in January 2022
- Old MOTs and tax discs
- Various older invoices showing ongoing maintenance
- 2 sets of keys
- Factory tool kit which appears to be complete and little used
Notable recent maintenance:
- Re-assembled suspension
- New shock absorbers
- New brake discs
- Replacement radius bushes
- Reconditioned steering rack
- New battery
- Hood ram replaced
- Handbrake callipers replaced
The Condition
- Attractive red paintwork resprayed in 2015 and in generally good condition
- Some localised areas of deterioration to note in photos such as offside rear sill edge
- Underneath presents well with no structural advisories on current MOT
- Car appears to have been undersealed in the past
- Fitted with a bonnet leaper but otherwise exterior is factory standard
- Jaguar lattice-style alloy wheels in very presentable condition with matching spare
- Tyres appear to be in good order with plenty of tread
- Supplied with a wind deflector
- Black fabric roof in good order with matching tonneau and factory tonneau bag
- Beige leather interior in original, lightly patinated condition showing some wear
- Driver's seat leather shows some cracking and piping is scuffed
- Veneers are in good condition showing some light cracking and delamination
- Roof headlining is stained and torn in one area
- Switchgear generally well kept with window switches loose, a common fault
- Fitted with heated front seats with electric lumbar support
- Original Jaguar radio cassette system fitted with factory manual included
The Mechanics
- Super smooth 5.3litre V12 Jaguar engine developing 285bhp
- 3spd automatic gearbox
- Vendor reports that the car starts immediately
- Engine bay is tidy and appears well kept
- Recent mechanical and running gear refurbishment totalling over £5,400
- Serviced 3,000 miles ago with regular attention during car’s life
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:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ 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.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]
