Description
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.
