Just returned from an 800 mile round trip to France with no issues
The Appeal
The venerable XJS not only outsold the E Type, which cast such a shadow over it, but it stayed in production for 21 years.
Perhaps, then, it is fitting that the final versions, like this one, were called Celebration models. Ostensibly celebrating the 60th anniversary of Jaguar, the name feels particularly fitting for a car that came to be much loved by Jaguar enthusiasts and lovers of fine GT cars.
This Celebration is from the final year of XJS production and is powered by Jaguar’s ultra reliable AJ16 4litre engine. It lived in San Francisco before being imported by the Seller at the end of 2022 and UK registered in early 2023. It is a low mileage, very presentable LHD car that has clearly been cared for. There is a good history file and a long MOT. With the advent of Summer Time, this highly capable GT drop top looks ready for some long distance continental adventures.
The History And Paperwork
First registered 1st January 1996
UK registered 10th January 2023
All import duties and VAT paid
CARFAX history shows recent expenditure on servicing, brakes and EGR valve
Last serviced in April 2022 at 78,109 miles
All factory handbooks and service manuals included
The Interior
Attractive charcoal leather seats with grey piping
Walnut veneer dashboard, door and centre console inserts in good condition
Part wood leather steering wheel
Original factory Jaguar 10 CD multi-changer sound system
Black cloth convertible roof in very good condition, including headlining
Rear seats in unmarked condition with seatbelts fitted
Tonneau cover included
Jaguar made the XJS progressively more luxuriously as the model evolved and the Celebration version got all the bells and whistles. These cars also benefited from Ford’s quality input, resulting in improvements to the switchgear and materials.
This Celebration nicely contrasts the acres of bright wood veneer with charcoal leather seats highlighted with grey piping. The veneer is in very good condition, just a crack to the right of the centre vents detracting. The veneer on the ski slope centre console, which can be prone to deterioration, is unmarked.
The seats are in similar condition. Both front seats are electrically operated and heated. The small rear seats appear unused and the passenger seat is in very good condition. Only the driver’s seat shows any signs of age or wear and these are minor: the leather on the base of the seat is creased and shiny with use and the sill-side bolster appears to be sagging. There is also a small mark on the back of the driver’s seat headrest.
The car still has its factory correct Jaguar sound system, which includes a 10 CD multi-changer in the boot. It is also fitted with cruise control. There is a tonneau cover for the electric roof. The roof itself is in very good condition, with excellent light grey headlining which appears unmarked.
The dark grey carpets throughout the cabin and in the boot are in very good, unmarked condition. There are original Jaguar overmats to both front footwells.
The Exterior
16inch diamond-polished Celebration alloy wheels in very good condition
Black paintwork in excellent condition with no visible corrosion
Underside in very good condition with no MOT structural advisories
Quality Pirelli tyres fitted
High level USA specification brake light
The black paintwork of this XJS seems to suit the design, giving this long, low car a svelte, understated appeal. The bodywork is in very good condition: save for a few minor blemishes, it is very presentable.
Moving around the car, there are three small scuffs on the offside front wheel arch and one chip on the offside rear arch. There is a small shallow dent on the centre of the rear bumper and a handful of small chips. On the nearside the rear arch has a small chip.
The bonnet has a small number of stone chips and there is an area of poor paint repair on the left hand edge.
The attractive diamond-polished 16 inch Celebration wheels are fitted with quality Pirelli rubber. We were only able to check photographs of the offside wheels but both front and rear are in good condition save for light kerbing on the edge of both wheels.
Post-1991 XJS’ benefitted from investment by Jaguar’s then-owner Ford. Improvements in build quality and galvanising of the bodies improved rust resistance and durability. Convertibles built after 1992 were fitted with a front brace which significantly reduces scuttle shake.
The Mechanics
4litre straight six AJ16 fuel injected Jaguar engine
4spd automatic ZF gearbox
Last service at 78,109 miles in April 2022
Radius arms and EGR valve replaced and polybushes fitted in April 2022
Brake fluid and differential fluid flushed and replaced in April 2022
New brake pads fitted in February 2021 around 2,000 miles ago
Seller reports that the car runs cool with good oil pressure
The AJ16 engine fitted to this XJS is an evolution of the earlier AJ6 6cylinder straight six Jaguar engine and widely acknowledged as one of the most reliable and durable of the firm’s engines. It is powerful – with 238bhp on tap – and very smooth. Facelift XJS’ like this one also got the 4spd ZF gearbox, which provides relaxed high speed cruising.
This low mileage XJS has a comprehensive CARFAX print out in its history file, which shows regular servicing and maintenance while the car was in San Francisco. Between January 2021 and April 2022 it appears to have been serviced twice, most recently at 77,924 miles.
The odometer currently shows 78,377 miles. The vendor, who imported the car in late 2022, says she completed an 800 mile French tour without incident. Alongside the service work the Seller says that the rear suspension cradle has been refurbished, an important job that can be an expensive task if not already done. New radius arms, EGR valve, polybushes and brake pads have also been fitted within the last 2,000 miles.
The Seller says that the car runs cool with excellent oil pressure. The MOT runs to November 2023 and there were no advisories. For transparency, the V5 states that the car was registered on 1st January 1996 but the DVLA MOT records indicate that it was first registered on 1st April 1996.
Summary
The XJS is a very useable modern classic, a svelte and capable long distance GT convertible that’s ideal for trans-continental jaunts. Facelift models like this Celebration got improved Ford build quality and rustproofing.
At the heart of this low mileage LHD Celebration is that excellent AJ16 engine. It has clearly been cared for, as the CARFAX documents attest, and looks distinctive in black with charcoal interior. The Seller has just returned from a trip across France: with summer beckoning this lithe Jaguar looks perfect for a return trip, or perhaps venture further afield.
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.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
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1996 XJS 4.0 Celebration Convertible LHD
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