Description
A beautiful example of the glorious Jaguar XJ-S Convertible, resplendent in metallic Solent Blue with contrasting Magnolia leather and Champagne carpet. In fantastic condition inside and out, having just completed a thorough restoration.
First delivered on 24th February 1990 by Hartwells of Oxford Ltd, this car is now 35 years old. In that time, it has covered just shy of 53, 500 miles.
I have owned this car for nearly 10 years. I took it off the road in 2017 for what had initially started as a quick freshen-up but evolved into a more thorough restoration.
Externally, this included repairing some minor blemishes and rust spots, followed by a full respray in its original metallic Solent Blue colour, completed in March 2024. The 15” Lattice wheels were fully refurbished with new centre caps and new Fulda tyres, offering better efficiency and performance than the P600 tyres they replaced. Details such as the rear number plate and reversing light lenses were replaced with new parts sourced from Jaguar Classic. Other items, such as the passenger headlamp and driver’s side repeater, were sourced from New Old Stock or genuine refurbished parts.
The interior has undergone an extensive retrim, including uprated Canopus sound deadening, new door card backing panels, all new carpeting and felt underlay, full twin-stitched premium leather upholstery on the seats, door cards, centre console, trims, etc., new colour-matched seat belts, new wood veneer trim, new switches, new Pioneer speakers, a VDO CD/ radio headunit and various replacement or upgraded parts in order to get it looking and feeling its best.
Mechanically, this low slung convertible was already in good condition with only minor advisories appearing on the previous MOTs. However, as it was being reassembled after paint, I replaced several items such as the air and fuel filters, front drop links, steering rack gaiters, door seals, bulbs and bonnet gas struts.
Due to the XJ-S being off the road for several years, I sent the car to Hawk Classics in Northfleet for a thorough professional recommissioning. My brief was to get it through an MOT with no advisories. They achieved just that and the car sailed through its MOT, now valid until November 2026. The work they carried out included fitting new brake pads front and rear, new gearbox mountings, a new fuel sender unit and new battery, as well as rectifying some minor leaks from the ABS and PAS assemblies.
The 5. 3 litre V12 engine purrs with quiet restraint, as you would expect, and delivers its power effortlessly through the smooth 3-speed automatic gearbox. It drives beautifully and the power steering helps pilot the long bonnet effortlessly through the corners as you waft around in style. The improved sound deadening and new leather make it a wonderful place to be, topped off with the fully functional heated seats with electrically adjustable lumbar support.
The car comes with a box file of paperwork going back to the ‘90s, including the original owner’s handbook and service/ warranty book with 18 stamps up to 2006, along with MOTs and receipts for the car’s upkeep.
Please note that the speedometer unit had been replaced prior to my ownership, at 43, 644 miles, so the mileage is incorrectly displayed in the car. I have the original faulty gauge, which will come with the car.
Also accompanying the car are the original toolkit and jack, and the tonneau cover which matches the dark blue convertible hood. The car originally came fitted with genuine Jaguar accessory mudflaps but, much like the vinyl pinstriping, I decided to leave them off for a sleeker, less cluttered look. I will, of course, include the mudflaps with the car, should the new owner wish to reinstate them.
I have included photos of some of the work carried out, shown at the end of the gallery. Once the initial repair work had been completed and the high-build primer flatted back, the car was then sealed, primed, painted, lacquered, wet sanded and polished. When I went to collect it, the sun was shining and the paint looked absolutely fantastic as I loaded it on to the flatbed to take home for final assembly.
Note: I have retained the registration 577 SVT, so the XJ-S now has its original registration G679 TRC.
A 2 year warranty will be included in the sale from the date you take ownership. The policy will include a labour rate of £100 per hour and a maximum value per claim of £5000 for complete peace of mind.
A truly reluctant sale but, with other classic cars to store and maintain, this unfortunately has to go. Any inspection welcome, please get in touch if you have any questions.
