1990 Jaguar XJS

Our example of the breed is one of the last pre-facelift XJS V12 Convertibles. The convertible was added to the range in 1983 as part of the offensive to increase production and fully exploit key markets like the Middle East and North America.

Current owner, Dominic, admits the XJS was somewhat of an impulse buy borne out of necessity. Dominic is a Jaguar enthusiast and a serial road trip veteran. With a Bond themed trip of the Alps in prospect, back in 2016, Dominic had planned to take his E Type. Just prior to the trip the ominous rattle of the E Type’s timing chain persuaded Dominic that alternative, Bond-worthy transport was required. Having long admired the XJS Convertible, Dominic contacted XJS specialists Clarkes about a suitable candidate they had in stock. On the proviso that a list of work was undertaken before delivery, and complete with a box of useful spares in the boot, Dominic took delivery of this XJS.

He kept his chosen E Type replacement from his fellow travellers until they all met at the ferry terminal on the way to the Alps. His choice was met with more than a little banter laden scepticism, but the car proved to be a dream travel companion with the box of spares never even thought about, let alone opened. So enamoured of the car was Dominic that he kept it long after the Bond trip and used it daily for periods during the subsequent summers. It is only now, some seven years later, that Dominic is selling the car to make way for another, much earlier Jaguar to augment his collection.

For some, the original XJS’s design was difficult to immediately take to. Whilst some loved the car’s flying buttress style C pillar treatment others were less convinced. Whatever your view, the appearance of the full convertible in 1983 revealed a daintier looking car with more obvious sports car DNA and a well resolved and fully integrated hood design.

This XJS Convertible is presented in bright Diamond Blue paintwork with a dark blue fabric hood, and it suits the car admirably. This shade almost seems to conjure up the essence of long summer evenings and quiet back roads. The car appears to wear its original paintwork with no later touch ins or repairs evident. A deep, lustrous shine emanates from every panel, with the clouds reflecting clearly in the paintwork during our shoot.

Unlike many XJSs of this vintage, our example is complete with its original elliptical Cibie headlamps rather than having been converted to the US specification, and significantly cheaper, quad headlamp arrangement. These are serviced by a wash / wipe system that is significantly more efficient than high pressure jet arrangements favoured today. A pair of original driving lamps with Jaguar head covers are also present and vanishingly rare.

The car sits on a set of the original “lattice” light alloy wheels. These are in an excellent, refurbished condition and finished in bright metallic silver with gold Jaguar head centre caps. The alloys are 15-inch items and are shod with a matching set of quality Continental Conti Premium Contact 2 tyres in the correct 225/60 configuration.

The fabric hood is finished in a fetching navy-blue hue and is in a fine overall condition. It is complete with a glass and heated rear window with just a small area of fraying to the lower edge of this window’s surrounding trim piece (pictured). The only bodywork blemish noted is a small dimple on the bonnet as the result of a slam rather than a “close and secure” of the bonnet.

Jaguar had always been masters of the “special occasion” cabin and the XJS was certainly no exception. Our example is trimmed in luxurious Savile Grey coloured leather and generous accents of burr walnut veneer. It’s a fine blend which has aged very well and presents in a fine, overall condition.

The leather extends to the heavily bolstered sports seats, door cards, centre console and sections of the dashboard. The seats are stitched into horizontal, padded box pleats for additional comfort and support. The condition of these is excellent with even the driver’s seat bolster in fine shape. The seats are both heated and partially electrically adjustable.

The dashboard is beautifully finished in burr walnut veneer which extends into the centre console and wraps around and into the door cards. The now familiar gauge set draws the eye, especially with the four aircraft style, barrel gauges monitoring levels and pressures. These sit in a hooded binnacle behind the later, four spoke leather steering wheel. Owner Dominic points out that Jaguar referred to this as the “airbag prepared” wheel.

Behind the seats is a useful, carpeted luggage shelf with a sensibly shaped, lockable valuables locker set into it. The boot is surprisingly commodious too. It is finished in its original, mid-tan carpet set. A pristine looking full sized spare wheel and tyre are secured to the rear bulkhead. The original tool roll and jack are also present. The “just in case” box of spares has been retained and maintained by Dominic…….just in case.

The only issues noted or reported are a temperamental passenger side electric window and some superficial damage to the centre console’s veneer panel “ski slope” where it was previously lifted to attend to a sensor replacement. As you will see in our brief video, the fabric hood deploys quickly and smoothly returning the car to full coupe mode in a handful of seconds.

This particular XJS features the iconic 5.3L V12 engine so often associated with sporting Jaguars and what a sight, and sound, it is. For those unused to so many, small cylinders working in harmony, the sensory treat in store is a delight. It sounds, and feels, so smooth with a civilised bass growl in evidence under higher revs.

The V12 is mated to the 3 speed Hydra Matic automatic transmission which feeds all that power (291bhp) and torque (317Ib-ft) to the rear wheels. This combination is ideal for optimum, drama free wafting with ample reserves of real-world urge on tap when needed.

There are several positive indicators evident that this is a very well sorted V12 XJS. Dominic was keen to show us the engine oil by way explanation. We were initially concerned that there was none to be seen on the dipstick, but it was just so pale and clear as to be hard to initially spot. As we will see, the car has been fastidiously serviced across its history with the intervals between services often miniscule. Lastly, Dominic is able to attest to the car’s reliability over the 15,000 miles or so it has covered in his tenure. Only once has he needed to dip into the “just in case” box in the boot to present a surprised AA man with a radiator bottom hose.

For such an iconic and revered engine, the Jaguar V12 is not exactly “a looker.” It is akin to a plumber’s aptitude exam given the number of random looking pipes, rails and bellows (yes there are bellows) that greet the eye on lifting the bonnet. Despite this it is in entirely original specification with just a number of replacement parts underscoring the car’s faultless maintenance history.

There are reams of accompanying paperwork with the XJS amounting to a bulging ring-binder’s worth. First and foremost is the original service book. This contains a full 25 service stamps with the majority of them from Jaguar main dealers. The intervals between these are worthy of note. Taking one page at random the intervals read 39,465, 43,110 and 45,895 miles. Over £1000 was spent in April 2023 alone preparing the car for the summer season.

Other highlights include the original book pack in its Jaguar folder, two original keys and a list of the work done as specified by Dominic as a condition of his purchase, and matters attended to during Dominic’s ownership which amounts to £9,123.56 in expenditure - including general services and parts. Some of the replacement parts are listed below.

• New twin Stainless Steal Exhausts

• All new water hoses

• All new belts

• All new E10 compliant fuel hoses

• Re Furbished injectors

• New cruise control bellows, solenoid & cruise switch

• New PAS steering rack

• New PAS pipes

• New 12V battery 2022

There is even a photograph from the instrumental 2016 Alpine Bond Tour together with itinerary. Such is the significance of this tour in Dominic’s initial ownership that our photographer has even attempted a Bond-esque “gun barrel” photograph of the XJS.

For many years the XJS lived in the shadow of the E Type much to its detriment. It is somewhat symbolic that Dominic’s E Type had to take a back seat to the XJS for the 2016 Bond Tour with the latter tackling it with style, sophistication and aplomb. The XJS was, ultimately, able to pull off something the E Type couldn’t. It got better every year with the opposite arguably being true of the E Type.

This example is a gem. It has clearly been cherished and diligently cared for throughout its life. It is a fast-vanishing opportunity to sit behind a V12 engine from the comfort of a luxuriously appointed cabin. That’s the sort of ownership opportunity that your descendants will likely view as remarkable and worthy of note. The fact that this type of automotive experience is available at such a relatively attainable price point should demand your attention and bids.

We estimate that this car will reach anywhere between £12,000 - £18,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Northampton, UK; 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’.