Jaguar XJ-S V12 Convertible

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Launched in September 1975 as a replacement for the legendary E-Type, the Jaguar XJS V12 was a more modern and sophisticated car than its glamorous predecessor and had a totally different character – the E-Type being a race-bred sportscar while the XJS was a high speed grand tourer.

Refinement was in a different league to the E-Type and even today there are few cars that are quite so relaxing to drive fast.

Styled by Jaguar's legendary aerodynamicist, Malcolm Sayer, it slipped through the air far more efficiently than the E-Type and was a paragon of stability and silence at speed. Based on a shortened XJ saloon floorpan, it weighed over 100kg less than an XJ12 and in early manual form could sprint to 60 in 6.7 seconds and top 153mph.

In 1981 the XJ-S received the new HE (High Efficiency) engine with Michael May-designed Fireball heads which improved fuel economy by 20 per cent, provided 295bhp to play with and upped the top speed to 155mph and brought 0-60mph in 7.8 seconds , making it the fastest automatic car in the world.

In convertible form the XJS lost the ‘flying buttress’ styling that so strongly divided opinion and few can argue that convertible is not an attractive car.

This 1988 model comes with no history although MOT records show that it has had only light use in the past eleven years. We cannot make comment on the indicated mileage of 32,000 miles, although it has an MOT (November 2019 – no advisories), a current V5C and a comes with a selection of invoices. It is a very smart example, let down by just one or two minor points and would respond well to some detail touches and general re-commissioning.

The car was driven 80 miles to the Brightwells site and performed faultlessly en route. This is a real driver’s car crying out to be used this summer, offering Grace, Space and Pace aplenty.