Highlights
- Classic British grand tourer
- Reassuring file of paperwork
- Most known issues addressed in recent years
The Appeal
Jaguar’s luxury grand tourer, the XJ-S, was launched in 1975 and stayed in the company’s line-up, in three distinct iterations, until it was finally superseded by the XK-8 in 1996. Having had a mixed reception at launch, the car has matured into a bona fide – and highly desirable – classic. Renowned for effortless performance and a high level of refinement, both straight-six and V12 versions of the car offer a high-quality driving experience.
Under Ford’s ownership, Jaguar launched the final version of the XJS (now without the hyphen!) in 1991. The car featured a new 4-litre version of the Jaguar AJ6 engine, outboard brakes replaced the inboard ones of earlier models, and revised styling included more aerodynamic front and rear bumpers and a new instrument binnacle. By the time the last car rolled off the production line in 1996, more than 115, 000 had been produced – more than Jaguar managed with the legendary E-type.
K 198 LHP has clearly been well cared-for and has until recently been used as a daily driver. With none of the XJS’s reputed flaws in evidence, and a sound file of paperwork, it promises many miles of comfortable and exciting motoring.
The History and Paperwork
- Thick file of invoices and previous MoTs
- Current V5
- Jaguar-dealer serviced up to 70,000 miles
- MoT valid until September 2022
First registered in July 1993, the car comes with a big folder of invoices and past MoTs, and a service book that records main-dealer servicing all the way through to 70,000 miles. There’s a gap in the service book record between 80,000 and 101, 000 miles but hand-written notes list work done to the car in that time. That, and the past MoTs in the file, suggest that the indicated mileage is probably accurate.
Of particular note in the history file are a 2016 invoice from specialists XJ Restorations that records the fitting of an XJR suspension kit, (£2000) and another from the same company in 2017 recording the removal and replacement of the bulkhead, windscreen surround and scuttle (known rust spots in an XJS), with the total amounting to more than £6000. There’s also a September 2021 invoice detailing a list of issues that were rectified at a cost of more than £3000.
The vendor purchased the car from a dealer in 2021 and has been using it as a daily driver until recently, but is reluctantly selling to help finance a building project.
The Interior
- Leather seats in very good condition
- Sound dashboard and centre console
- DAB radio
The car’s interior is in pretty good condition given its age and mileage. The leather seats have held up remarkably well, save for some visible wear on the driver’s seat bolster. They are comfortable and supportive and the driving position feels good. The rear seats are excellent and appear to have been little used. The carpets are in pretty good condition, with only that in the driver’s footwell showing significant wear. Under the carpets, the floorpan is bone-dry and sound – an important plus, as the XJS can be prone to leaks.
The walnut dash has only a couple of minor cracks on the passenger side, while the centre console and dials all look good. The DAB radio is a recent addition, while the electric aerial was recently repaired (an awkward and expensive job) and functions perfectly.
In the boot there’s a liner in excellent condition, with matching spare-wheel and battery covers. The spare wheel is in sound order, the tyre has plenty of tread, and there’s a jack in a sleeve that matches the boot lining.
The Exterior
- Moroccan red paintwork in good order
- US-spec round headlights
- Sound wheels and recent new tyres
Approaching thirty years old, the car looks great in its Moroccan Red paintwork. There are a few issues – a dent in the passenger door, a stonechip on the driver’s door and some scratches from wear around the doorhandles. Many of the known rust spots were addressed in that 2017 refurbishment, and a new owner can be reassured that with a new scuttle, bulkhead and windscreen surround fitted there should be few further issues.
Keen XJS-spotters will note that the original lozenge-shaped headlamps have been replaced by the US-spec twin-round headlamps, a popular aesthetic upgrade, but the surrounds of these are a bit rusty.
All of the wheels are in good order, but only one has its original wheel centre. All four tyres are recent, with two having been fitted in the last month.
The Mechanics
- 4-litre straight-six engine
- 4-speed auto transmission
- Starts and runs beautifully
- New starter motor
The car starts on first turn of the key (it had a new starter motor in 2021 and the battery is also recent), and the engine sounds great. The car had new brake calipers, front brake discs and pads in 2019. The vendor says that the car drives well and the handling is perfect. He reports that the only known issues are that the aircon doesn’t work, and is in need of re-gassing and a new belt, while the central-locking is only partially operative.
Under the bonnet everything looks to be in good order, while there are no obvious issues underneath the car.
Summary
Now a sought-after classic, the XJS has a keen following and good specialist and parts support. With a luxurious and comfortable interior combined with strong performance, its grand-touring credentials are impeccable.
K 198 LHP is clearly a very good example of the model that has been cared-for by successive owners, and a potential new owner can be reassured by the extensive file of paperwork that the car should provide a rewarding motoring experience for years to come. While the purist might want to address the few cosmetic issues, in essence this is a smart and usable car that will turn heads and draw envious glances.
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