1990 Jaguar XJ-S Convertible

The 1990 V12 Convertible we have in No Reserve auction here is in the classic colours of pale blue metallic with cream, a combo that does show off the elegant lines of the drop-top. The low recorded mileage of under 62,000 is also major plus-point, and may contribute to the superb and strong condition of it generally. This example does demonstrate that a vehicle does not have to have been a show-queen to remain a thoroughly excellent car. But whilst on the subject, we do think that with some minor fettling, a show-queen is a possibility for this one in the future. 

For the unenlightened, Jaguars of a certain age are temperamental beasts that should only be approached with caution and a fully charged cattle prod. Yes, there were sticky times at Jaguar in the 1970s and 80s when reliability took a back seat to a blizzard of new model development, but by the time the XJ-S Convertible was launched (this car built a year after Ford bought Jag), Jaguar’s reputation was well on the way to rehabilitation. Many old XJ-Ss are now rather sorry, loose things really only suitable for parts supply, but due to some careful ownership and, presumably regular garaging, the example we have here is a genuinely excellent one.

The first things that strike you on approaching this Jaguar are its stance – it sits really well, with no evidence of suspension sag – and the blemish-free zing of its original light blue paint.

You’d expect both of these traits in a low-mileage car, but maybe not from a 1990s Jaguar – which just goes to show why it’s so important not to fall into the trap of stereotyping. This XJ-S is characterised by its great panel fit, excellent brightwork (including the usefully large door mirrors), high-quality mohair hood with heated rear glass, dent-free bumpers and super-clean multispoke alloys.

Perfectionists might take issue with the quality of the paintwork on the panels on either side of the rear number plate, but rust danger areas like the base of the windscreen and the inner wings are all clear and there are no obvious signs of filler anywhere. Pedants might spot this car sports an XJ-SC badge, suggesting that it might be one of the earlier Cabriolet versions.The hood cover is a little grubby with some discolouration to the leading edges of the hood cover. It might be rectifiable using the right proprietary cleaning product, if that sort of thing worries you.

The only other potential negative that you may pick up on is the boot-mounted spoiler. This sort of thing was a popular add-on at the time, and it may even have some positive aerodynamic attributes, but some might see it as slightly undignified for such a graceful machine. The real-world downside is that holes have been put into the bootlid to fix the spoiler in place. Restoration or replacement of the bootlid could add to the car’s appeal, but of course you may be perfectly happy to leave it like it is as a tinged memory of how things used to be.

Whatever you say about Jaguars, the one thing that can never be levelled at them is an accusation of cheapness or lack of style when it comes to the interior. The XJ-S one in particular is a triumph of two arts: veneering and seat-pleating. We love a good seat here at The Market, and this XJ-S’s blue-piped magnolia chairs are as comfortable as they are lovely.

The steering wheel, dash top and elm-burl fascia show little signs of fade or cracking, and the carpets, door cards and door shuts are equally fresh. There’s a trace of veneer ‘wobble’ on the centre console at either side of the window switches, but generally speaking the cabin materials are all in fine shape. You’ll find a small gash in the neat lockable cubby behind the seats, a handy receptacle for small items while you’re enjoying a spot of dinner on some sunny promenade.

The coolant warning light very occasionally flickers momentarily, but nobody is quite sure why, the vendor states that the coolant level is always up to the mark and there’s no evident leakage. The sensor has been replaced, but that hasn’t silenced the light. Or blinded it. As we all know, sensors are great at detecting just about any problem apart from any they might have themselves.

The passenger side window isn’t working, which the vendor hopes might be something as simple as a fuse. Well, we all hope that when a window isn't working, so why should he be any different? You never know, it might even be a fuse. Expect the worst, and then you can be delighted when it actually turns out to be the fuse.

Otherwise, things work. Even the famously random Jaguar on-board (where else would it be?) ‘computer’ is still functioning, gleefully telling you among other things that you’re doing 13mpg. ‘That’s one thing you perhaps wouldn’t mind being broken,’ laughs the vendor.

We’re not sure whether anyone still offers contracts for the Nokia in-car (where else would it be?) phone, but if they did how much fun would it be to don your red braces and use it to ring your broker about pork-belly futures or your shares in Consolidated Widget and Amalgamated Spigot.

Strangely, the car’s first buyer didn’t tick the air conditioning box option. Maybe they saw a much simpler solution for when the hot weather strikes.

According to the vendor, the chap who put the car through its last MOT test in October 2018 (with no advisories) was more than a little impressed by the apparent absence of rust. The r-word hasn't appeared on a single one of the MOT certificates that are up on the gov.uk website. That’s remarkable in a Jaguar of this age, or indeed in any car of this age. Obviously you’ll always be able to find the odd bit and bob on hangers, brackets and the like, and (in this case) a smattering on the rear valance, but none of it appears to be structural. The boot floor is immaculate, as is the engine bay – not that you can see that much of the actual bay, what with the magnificent amount of engine that’s stuffed in there.

The car comes with all its original books, old MOT certificates and a selection of documents relating to brake, exhaust, coolant, suspension and other general service work. A new crankshaft damper was fitted in 2006 at a cost of just over £850.

The vendor openly admits that he expected the car to be ‘trouble’ when he bought it, but it has confounded his expectations by being nothing of the sort. He reports that the Jag has always started on the button and always run perfectly.

The first XJ-S retailed at £8900, which was a lot for a Jaguar in 1976 – especially when you realise that the last E-types were £3700. That price disparity seems crazy now, but anyone who was around at the time will remember that the XJ-S was considered to be entirely worthy of its exalted price.

More than 40 years on, it's still a great grand tourer in the classic tradition, but don’t go making the mistake of thinking that the V12 XJ-S is some kind of dinosaur or outdated relic from a long-forgotten age. It’s still a paragon of refinement, luxury and performance that will pleasantly shock even the most jaded of 21st century motorists.

Very early XJ-S V12s can fetch big money, but for driveability and reliability we’d always plump for a much later car like this one. It comes with a spare key and the good wishes of the current owner, who has kept it nicely up to scratch in his year’s custodianship. It’s not a pampered concours motor, but it does appear to be very strong – and it is most definitely a great survivor. The auction is No Reserve, and if pushed, we’ll say we expect it to reach £12-15,000.

We always encourage viewings. This elegant Jaguar is located here at The Market HQ in Abingdon. Just click the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to arrange an appointment. Ahead of that, or at any time during the process, you’re more than welcome to ask any questions or jot down observations in the comments section below. You won’t be shocked to hear that our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section will answer general questions that are frequently asked about how The Market works.

Also please note that we have a network of trusted suppliers with whom we work regularly and successfully: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.

BORING, but IMPORTANT: Please note that whilst we at The Market always aim to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available, we cannot claim they are perfect analyses of any of the vehicles for sale. We offer far greater opportunity for bidders to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding than traditional auctions, and we never stop encouraging bidders to take advantage of this. We do take a good look at the vehicles delivered to our premises for sale, but this only results in our unbiased personal observations, not those of a qualified inspector or other professional, or the result of a long test drive.

Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using simple cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality.