1985 Jaguar '85 & '88 XJ-S Convertibles

Unusually we have two cars in this lot which will require frequent switching of narrative between the cars. Whilst they are both Series II models, they have slightly different body styles, and markedly different engines and gearboxes, but it will make things a lot simpler if we take inspiration from the Milky Way advert from 1990 and talk about “the red car and the blue car”.

The red car started life as a UK-spec 3.6-litre straight-six cabriolet with a factory 5-speed manual gearbox and was first registered by Paramount Jaguar of Derby in November 1985. At some point after 1995 (perhaps even within the 10 years) it was partially converted from the cabriolet (with targa roll bar) into a full convertible with +2 seating. Presumably at the same time, it was given the Lister-inspired wide-body front and rear wings and the quad headlamps.

The blue car was (and still is) a European-spec LHD 5.3-litre HE V12 with a 3-speed automatic gearbox. It’s exact history isn’t known but we believe it to be from 1988 and was last registered in the Alpes-Maritime (Nice) area of France. It too has been given the wide-body treatment - although much earlier - probably in the early 1990s.

Both cars are associated with renowned custom coachbuilder Paul Banham who at Autostyle in north-west Kent designed and built a removable fibreglass hardtop for Jaguar XJ-S Convertibles giving them Coupé-like comfort in winter. A copy of an article (from before 1995 when STD codes had a 1 prefix added) accompanying these cars features the blue car - by then already wide-bodied - as the model for the blue fabric-covered hard top (which is also part of the auction lot).

The vendor tells us that the cars came from the family who owned Autostyle and that they had been sitting in a barn for a long period of time. When the barn’s roof became unstable, the blue car got moved outside and covered where it sat for another year until both cars were sold to the vendor. Prior to sitting outside, the blue car’s paintwork was apparently in the same good condition as the red car.

A copy of an article from the 1990s gives a photographic link between Autostyle, Paul Banham and the blue car to back up this account.

The red car - originally Claret metallic and possibly still somewhere close - looks quite strong from the outside. The paint appears excellent (by comparison to the blue car) and there are only a few areas where bubbling has started - mostly the near side rear wing around the crease-line. The mohair hood is in a great condition and has a flexible plastic rear window.

Clearly the conversion is unfinished, there are no side windows and the bumpers have yet to be fitted. It is also still sitting on its original 15-inch “Starfish” wheels with Dunlop tyres at the front and Pirellis at the back.

The blue car - possibly Solent Blue although may be a custom colour - doesn’t stand up so well to paintwork scrutiny. Almost every panel on the car has extensive bubbling under the paint. Oddly the boot and bonnet seem to have escaped this canker and it’s not like they’re made of different materials. Again the hood is in a good condition, this one having a heated glass rear screen. It also has the option of the fabric covered hard top as portrayed in the ‘90s article - although the headlining on this has become detached.

The conversion of this car was completed long ago and inside the flared wheel arches are much bigger 17-inch Compomotive split-rim wheels, fitted with 235/45 Dunlop tyres on the front and mahoosive 335/35 Pirellis on the rear. That’s only 1cm narrower than those you’d find on the back of a Lamborghini Countach.

The interior of the red car would have been stripped out during the conversion and not all of it has been refitted. Originally a cabriolet it would not have had the rear seats so we suspect that these at least - if not the front seats too - came from a donor car. The seats are a beige leather with red piping and are in a good condition.

The carpets and underlay are missing, as are a few items of trim here and there and the door cards are slightly loose. Given that the windows are missing, you will still need access behind these anyway to fit the winding mechanisms.

The blue car’s interior appears complete, but there is a rather damp musty atmosphere inside - indeed the headlining appears blotchy from mildew or mould. The beige leather seats have the patina of age and could do with some reconditioning treatment but are otherwise sound.

All trims and carpets are present and intact although much like the upholstery they need some cleaning and rejuvenation. From what we can see, the stereo is the only thing missing.

The engine bay of the red car is pretty clean and tidy and everything appears to be present. Underneath the car looks solid too with evidence of additional bracing added for rigidity to counteract the removal of the targa roll bar. It's worthwhile noting that the vendor tells us he did get this engine running recently.

Under the bonnet of the blue car, the V12 fills the engine bay and is covered by the maze of pipework, cabling and hoses that you’d expect. There’s a little surface rust here and there but nothing of great significance. From what we can see the undersides of the car seem in reasonable order. 

The red car has a small history file with it containing several invoices and MOTs from the 90s. It also has a V5C and the original owner’s manuals and service booklet, which is stamped up to 1992.

The blue car has nothing other than a copy of an Autostyle/Paul Banham article promoting the XJ-S hardtop, in which it features. There is no “Carte Grise” French registration document. Given the article, the car has likely been in the UK since the early ‘90s - probably not that long after it was built.

Both cars have keys.

These conversions are not just amateur-applied fibreglass body kits but full on coach built steel panels hand-made and fitted to each car. Imagine the man hours that went into shaping them and fitting them to the cars so that they blend into the original bodywork.

It is very hard to put a value on a pair of unusual cars like these, which is why a NO RESERVE auction such as this is the right way to sell them - they will be worth whatever someone who knows what they are is willing to bid. We think maybe somewhere between £1,500 and £6,500.

They are both projects to some degree and although the blue car is more complete, it doesn’t have any paperwork, needs repainting and is still on French registration plates. The red car has quite a good body but the conversion is incomplete.

No doubt this is quite a niche lot, but any enthusiast of restoring modern classic Jaguars and XJ-Ss in particular may find this “two for the price of one” offer appealing.

Inspection is always encouraged, within Govt. guidelines of course, and these particular cars are located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.