Highlights

One of the first XJ-S convertibles made
Invoices totalling thousands of pounds
Only 5,000 miles covered since 2000
MoT until September 2023

The Appeal

With a 20-year production run from 1975 to 1995, the XJ-S proved to be an even greater success for Jaguar than its predecessor, the E-type. With most being built with V12s and automatic gearboxes, it was less of a sports-car than the E-type and more of a grand tourer, rivalling Mercedes’s popular line of SL models. As time progressed, the XJ-S was steadily improved, firstly with the introduction of the HE (High Efficiency) version of the V12 introduced in 1981, which returned better fuel economy.

With its clean styling, spacious, comfortable interior and a quiet, powerful engine well-suited to covering long distances, the XJ-S HE was the perfect car for summer touring. The only thing missing was a soft-top. Jaguar first addressed this surprising omission by unveiling the XJ-SC, a targa-roofed convertible, in 1983, but a fully convertible XJ-S did not appear until 1988.

The new soft-top proved extremely popular, and it’s not difficult to understand why. It blended good looks with great luxury and effortless driving. Simply put, it was all anyone could want in a grand tourer, and the perfect car for a long driving holiday. Between 1988 and 1990, when the XJ-S received a facelift, 30,946 convertibles were built of which 16,469 had the V12, but what was once a common sight is now rarely seen, and surviving cars have become very collectible.

This example must be one of the most collectible, representing as it does one of the very earliest XJ-S convertibles. It happens to have been beautifully cared for, too, and being attractively finished in Arctic Blue Metallic with complementary cream upholstery and dark blue roof, everything about it appeals. It’s in excellent mechanical fettle and all ready to use and enjoy, so it would make a fine addition to anyone’s motor stable.

The History and Paperwork

First registered in Manchester in August 1988
Earliest recorded owner is Mr. Stephen Ashurst of Warrington, Cheshire, from 1991 to 1993
Purchased by the eighth and present keeper in November 2021, but now offered for sale due to his collection being downsized
Offered for sale with the current and historic logbooks, original owner’s literature including the handbook and service book, various MoT certificates dating back to 2000 and numerous recent maintenance invoices

The Interior

Very well-presented with a light patina
Contains ‘the last seats from the factory’
Very luxurious specification
Still retains its original radio-cassette player and toolkit

We expect Jaguar interiors to be rather plush and, given their desirability from new, we also expect to them to be reasonably well looked-after, and this XJ-S does not disappoint. The interior has mellowed and matured very nicely over its 35-year life and presents in extremely good condition with just a light patina across the lovely walnut dash.

The seats are of some particular interest, as we are told they are ‘the last seats from the factory’. We understand that the original seats had become somewhat tired, and while looking for replacements the owner at the time got wind that a pair of original, unused seats had been found in storage at the Jaguar factory. He was able to buy them and so they ended up in this car, which accounts for the superb state of preservation. There is, unfortunately, a little bit of wear affecting the piping on the driver’s seat, but they certainly don’t look as if they’ve seen much use.

All other aspects of the interior – the carpets, dash, door trims and so on – are in excellent shape. Being a Jaguar, it boasts no end of luxury items which were by no means commonplace in the 1980s, including power windows and a multi-function digital clock, which provides information about fuel, distances and average speed in addition to telling the time. One of the most pleasing features, though, is the original Jaguar radio-cassette player. So many cars of this era lost their original radio players when cassettes were superseded by CDs in the 1990s and early 2000s, making this example that extra bit special.

In the boot, the situation is every bit as good. It has been kept clean and tidy and, in addition to the spare wheel, it also retains its original jack and factory toolkit, which is almost totally complete.

The Exterior

Received full Waxoyl treatment in 2020
Some welding repairs undertaken in 2022
Passenger door freshly resprayed

The XJ-S is a fine sight in its shimmering Arctic Blue Metallic, its handsome appearance today owing much to the sympathetic care and upkeep it has received in recent years. From what we have seen, the bodywork and underside of the car both appear to be exceptionally good. The fact that it received full Waxoyl treatment from Clarke’s Jaguar in 2020 has helped to preserve it, but more recent repairs have really brought it up to scratch.

Clarke’s Restorations undertook rust repairs to one door and the rear arches in 2021, and in 2022 it additionally benefitted from new sections being welded to areas in the quarter-panels, arches, sills, driver’s door and front wings, which must account for why it looks so good underneath.

On account of the repairs, the car has been at least partially resprayed in the past, and the paint still presents very well albeit with a few very minor blemishes. The passenger door, however, is immaculate, as it has just been freshly painted. The rest of the car is in the same general condition. There are some very slight blemishes in the chrome bumpers and the plastic sections display a light patina, but it all remains highly presentable.

The alloy wheels are likewise in good condition. Considering their age, one could forgive them if the rims were a bit scuffed, but there is very little to fault. They have picked up some small marks over the years, as the photographs will show but, all things considered, they look wonderful.

The hood may be one of the Jaguar’s best features. It does not exhibit any obvious marks and could almost be taken for new material, and the same might also be said for the tonneau cover.

The Mechanics

Starts and runs beautifully
New brake discs and pads in 2019
MoT with no advisories until September 2023

This XJ-S appears to be in superb mechanical health. It fires up readily, idles well and pulls away obligingly, and a look back over its service record, MoT history and invoices suggests that all maintenance has been performed as and when necessary.

The car was serviced regularly up to 1994, since when it has only been used very sparingly, though it received a full specialist service from Arun Ltd. in 2019. In addition to servicing, recent work has included the fitment of new brake discs and pads and a front suspension overhaul in 2019, fitment of a new alternator and water pump and used stainless-steel exhaust boxes in 2020, and fitment of a reconditioned power-steering rack in 2021.

With such meticulous care being taken, it’s not surprising that the Jaguar has passed every MoT test since 2020 with no advisories. Mechanically, it seems to be as good a car as anyone could hope to find.

The Summary

Jaguar XJ-Ss were popular when new and they remain very popular today with enthusiasts who appreciate stylish and refined motoring. If they’ve been looked after, they can be as useable and reliable as any modern car, and this one certainly has been looked after.

A superb early example from the first year of production, it presents very well cosmetically and appears to be in the best condition mechanically. With XJ-Ss becoming increasingly desirable, now is surely the time to buy one, and this one promises to be very rewarding.

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.

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