Highlights
- Lovely condition
- Very original
- Recently recommissioned
The Appeal
With the warm weather making more frequent appearances, what better way to waft through the countryside than in a V12 XJ-S Convertible? Described by Octane magazine as ‘the best of the XJ-S range’, it’s a silky smooth classic.
This lovely example had been in dry storage from 2016 until it was recommissioned last year and it’s once again ready to be enjoyed. The Arctic Blue paintwork and matching blue hood suit it well, while the twin headlamp conversion gives it a more sporting look.
Provided with a full year’s MOT and nothing to do, you should simply be able to drive this away, savouring the super smooth V12. Get bidding now to make it your own.
The History and Paperwork
- Registered new 1 August 1989
- Sold to a London-based lady who kept it until 1996
- Twin headlamp conversion fitted in 1998
- It remained with the second owner for another seven years and the third for a further three before passing into the hands of a collector in 2006
- Since 2006 it has covered fewer than 1,500 miles in the hands of three collectors
- SORN’d since 2016, it was sent to a classic car restoration specialist for a full service and re-commissioning in 2021
- Work carried out included:
- New battery
- Replacing the AVG unit on the engine
- General testing and re-tuning
- Automatic gearbox removed and overhauled with all seals, filters and fluids renewed
- Front brakes stripped, new callipers and vented discs fitted, cylinder pistons overhauled, new pads
- New bushes on the front shock absorbers, anti-roll bar, lower wishbones and top suspension joints
- Rear axle dropped, new vented discs fitted, new handbrake and disc pads, new piston seals, bleed nipples and grease
- Tyres were tested and removed and re-sealed as necessary
- The power hood was freed off and lubricated, all relays removed and tested and all mechanisms lubricated
- All locks and hinges lubricated
- All auxiliaries and systems tested
- Fully road tested
- MOT issued in May 2022 with no advisories
- Selection of invoices and old MOT certificates
- Service book showing full history
- Original handbook in leather wallet
- V5 present
The Interior
- Cream leather with blue piping
- Original toolkit
- Jaguar umbrella
Roof up or down, sliding behind the wheel feels suitably luxurious as you are cocooned in a cockpit that majors on wood and leather. The aftermarket gear knob matches the slightly more sporting intent of the twin headlamp conversion but otherwise it’s all original in here, save for an additional pair of speakers behind the seats.
Everything works as it should, too, although the electric aerial has been sticking a little of late. The vendor hopes to have it freed up before the sale completes. Condition-wise, it’s all looking very good with only a little minor wear.
The boot houses a full size spare and a pristine original toolkit as well as an unused Jaguar-branded umbrella. There’s also a handy cut out switch to help with periods of extended storage.
The Exterior
- Arctic blue metallic paint
- Fully functioning matching blue hood
- Twin headlamp conversion
Arctic blue suits the car well and, with a matching blue hood with a glass rear window, it’s one of those convertibles that manages to look good with the hood up or down. The paintwork is in lovely condition with only a couple of chips to the driver’s door and is matched by excellent brightwork all round, save for a little pitting on the driver’s door mirror.
The hood is very well preserved with good glass and the wheels are in good condition with a matching set of Pirelli P6000 tyres which have good tread all round. The underside is undersealed and shows no visible signs of anything other than surface corrosion. In all, it’s in lovely condition and will look the part wherever it goes.
The Mechanics
- Creamy 5.2litre V12
- Automatic gearbox
- Drives well
Under the front-hinged bonnet, the engine bay is very original and there’s no sign of the corrosion that can sometimes be found around the join at the top of the wings. With a fresh battery, it starts reliably the first time and settles into a smooth idle. On the road, the seller reports that it drives just as it should with torque-rich acceleration, good performance from the freshly-refreshed brakes and smooth gear changes up and down the box. In short, it’s ready to go.
Summary
The pinnacle of the XJ-S range, this V12 convertible is a lovely way to get around and should make its next owner very happy indeed.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
