• Highly original XJS Convertible 

• One owner since 1998

• Extensive service history

Jaguar’s XJ-S had a long and productive model life, starting out as the iconic V12 Coupe and constant development throughout its nigh on 21-year production run saw the introduction of six-cylinder engines and both Targa and full convertible models later in its life. 

The example we have here dates from late in the XJS’s life when Jaguar was under Ford ownership and as a result many of the reliability woes that can affect an XJS were ironed out. Dating from 1994 it’s a desirable facelift model with colour-coded bumpers and presenting in 2+2 Convertible form fitted with the 4.0-litre straight-six engine. As a wind-in-the-hair GT it has few peers.

The XJS is finished in British Racing Green with a nicely contrasting grey leather interior and was first registered on 19 October 1994 with the first owner being Cowie Leasing. It would appear the lucky first keeper lived in the London area where it was had its first two services carried out in 1996 and 1997 by the selling dealer R A Creamer & Son in Kensington.

It had a further owner in 1997 before the current owner saw an advertisement for the car in 1998. The seller brought the car round to the owner’s house within an hour of her telephone enquiry, and she fell in love, buying the car on the spot. It’s a decision she’s not regretted as the XJS has provided reliable and enjoyable motoring for the last 23 years. The XJS has been loved and wanted for nothing over the years and has covered a low annual mileage during that time with the odometer now reading just 76,103.

However, the owner now spends some of her time out of the country and doesn’t want the Jaguar languishing unused in an underground garage so she is now offering it for sale to its next lucky owner.

There is an extensive service history to accompany the Jaguar including the original handbook wallet with owner’s manual and service record. This latter item contains stamped services in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and annual services between 2001 and 2009 despite the XJS only covering around 3,000-5,000 miles per year during that time.

There are various invoices detailing further services in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019 along with various other repairs such as brake pad replacement, new front coil springs and suspension bushes. In 2016 (less than 5,000 miles ago) the XJS had a new radiator fitted along with an air conditioning condenser and expansion valve. There are also invoices for a new set of tyres in 2018 and a battery and air conditioning regas in 2021.

There are five old MoT certificates with the car and the current test doesn’t expire until September 2022. There is a V5C in the owner’s name. 

The XJS is currently on a private registration plate which is available by separate negotiation, otherwise the car will be sold with an age-related number plate.

There’s a real sense of occasion when stepping into the Jaguar’s opulent cockpit with swathes of grey leather and lashings of lustrous wood adorning the interior. The best news is that everything appears to be in good order with just about the only sign of use being some minimal wear to the driver’s seat, but this doesn’t detract from the overall ambiance inside the Jaguar.

The wood trim on the dash, door tops and centre console is in excellent order and all the switchgear looks to be in good condition and operates correctly. The air conditioning blows reassuringly cold. The leather on the rear 2+2 seats is in good condition as are the door trim panels and the carpet is in decent order, too. The instrumentation all appears to function correctly.

The steering wheel is in good order and the electric hood operates quickly and smoothly. The boot is generally in good order and contains a spacesaver spare wheel and the car’s battery which is new. 

The owner tells us that during her 23-year tenure the XJS hasn’t been subject to any paintwork and the bodywork would appear to be in its original condition. As might be expected on a vehicle of this age there are a few minor blemishes, a couple of scuffs to the bumpers and a few marks on the doors.

Overall the British racing green paint presents well and the panel gaps are tight and consistent. All the glass and lights appear to be in good order as is the exterior chromework. The hood appears to be in good condition with no rips or tears and all the stitching is still in decent order.

The 16-inch alloy wheels do have some age-related discolouration to them and no doubt a refurbishment would bring them back to their former glory and would set the car off very nicely. The tyres are virtually as new and have plenty of tread remaining. From what we could see of the underside of the XJS it would appear to be in good solid order.

Mechanically the XJS would seem to be in fine fettle and the owner reports that there are no issues with the car that she’s aware of. It started first time despite a lack of recent use and idles smoothly.

Under the bonnet everything appears to be in good order and in original condition from a visual inspection. The service history confirms that the XJS has been the recipient of plenty of regular maintenance and that would point to a car that’s been loved during its life which should mean that there will be no significant known issues for its next owner.

Despite having its roots firmly in the 1970s the Jaguar XJS has an enduring appeal and in this late facelift 2+2 Convertible guise it manages that rare feat of looking suitably retro but with enough modern touches to not look old hat. With the hood up or down it’s a very appealing machine with an almost universal charm and it garnered many favourable comments and glances from passers-by while we were photographing the car.

With a long-term owner who’s quite obviously cherished it during her long ownership and spent plenty of money keeping it in good condition it looks like a very good buy in today’s market. The Convertible XJSs are in high demand and in this 4.0-litre guise it offers a good blend of performance and less hefty running costs than the V12-engined examples. Its low mileage, highly original nature and overall condition make it an excellent buy.