Previously owned by regional chairman of Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club
THE APPEAL
From the moment it debuted in 1975, there was a demand for a topless version of the Jaguar XJ-S to replace the iconic E-Type Roadster.
But with Jaguar under the control of British Leyland, there wasn’t the budget to invest in two body styles for the new V12 sports car and it would be a whole eight years before a soft-top XJ-S did appear, to tie-in with the model’s mid-life facelift and the introduction of the new high efficiency “HE” engine – a rather odd moniker for a 12-cylinder behemoth that still only returned 17mpg, albeit an improvement on the original.
Even then, the ragtop XJ-S wasn’t a full convertible. Called the XJ-SC, it was a targa top model á la Triumph Stag so as not to impair the XJ-S’s structural rigidity.
By 1988, the formula had been refined and the XJS-C was replaced with a full convertible, making the stop-gap car a rarity in XJS circles. This one is as good as they get – a full-fat V12, fully restored and with incredible pedigree.Lp6ASldNNFgeMod2Ui6Vlj2XlQgKC2vnQif8LLEK.jpeg1.61 MB
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Amazing history file
Owned by last keeper for over two decades
Well-known on the show circuit
Files of invoices, sorted by year back to 1991
All old MOTs
Jaguar Heritage Certificate
All old V5s
Spare set of keys
Jaguar document wallet
UK V5C
Owners’ manuals and books
Photographic record of bare metal respray
Handbooks and valuation certificates
Jaguar Heritage Certificate
The previous owner of the XJS had it for over two decades and was a senior figure in the Ridings Region of the Jaguar Enthusiast’s Club, with the car being well-known on the show scene under its previous registration, A14UGH.
It was supplied new in 1985 to a contract hire company with its head office in Glasgow, but spent most of its early life in or around London with its first few years of servicing carried out by RA Creamer of Kensington – the Royal Family’s preferred garage.
It then moved to Scotland where it remained until the most recent owner bought it in 1999. During his ownership the car has been fully rebuilt and repainted.
There are invoices for parts and some repairs over the past two decades, but the majority of service work was carried out by the owner who was a skilled mechanic. Prior to that, the car was specialist maintained and there a reams and reams of invoices, all filled into year order.
It also has every MOT certificate back to 1990 and a Jaguar Heritage Certificate showing that it was built in July 1985 and despatched to Julian’s of Reading, originally registered as ‘HTC 80’.
To round things off, there’s also a photo album showing the car’s body restoration – there simply aren’t many cars that come with a history folder like this. It’s incredible.
The interior of any XJS is special but this one is a particularly pleasant example, with just the right amount of patina – it’s not worn or tired in any way, but nor does it look brand new – it’s exactly how you’d want it.
It has a period radio-cassette player and air conditioning, which has recently been serviced and re-gassed, along with a fully functioning LCD trip computer.
The black leather is free of any imperfections and has aged charmingly, while the wood veneers and carpets are in excellent original condition. The boot area is clean and contains the original spare wheel and toolkit along with a tonneau cover.M4KrrLBsU4dQKzdOP2aascoQLoVK84zixTwtr39Q.jpeg1.19 MB
THE EXTERIOR
Full bare metal respray
Excellent wheels and tyres
Superb paintwork
Excellent hood
Sebring Red is quite a daring colour for an XJS but this one pulls it off really well, not least because it has had a high quality repaint and has been lovingly care for since. It also wears Jaguar’s stunning ‘Lattice’ alloy wheels shod with Falken tyres on the front and Pirellis on the back, all with plenty of tread.
It also has dealer option genuine mudflaps, front and rear foglamps and an electric aerial, all superbly presented. The two-piece targa roof and fold-down rear window are in great condition, too.
It may look like a terrifying mass of pipework and cables but the Jaguar 5.3-litre V12 is actually an extremely reliable powerplant. This one has been diligently maintained by a Jaguar enthusiast and has wanted for nothing.
We were able to take the car for a short test drive and it performed exceptionally, with great performance and no untoward knocks or rattles, plus strong brakes and typically great ride quality.
This is a fantastic example of one of the rarest and most collectable XJSs – a terrific car with a pedigree the like of which you don’t come across very often. If the incredible history file doesn’t sell it, the condition will. It’s a cracker.
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