Jaguar XJS V12 Convertible

The Jaguar XJ-S had a mountain to climb from the day it was launched – it had to replace the impossibly glamorous E-Type which had so captured the public's imagination when it first appeared in 1961. Somehow the XJ-S failed to stir emotions in the same way when it was launched in April 1975. However, time has been kind to the car and it now looks more handsome with every passing year.

Largely designed 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 and upped the top speed to 155mph, making it the fastest automatic car in the world. The long-awaited full convertible was finally introduced at the 1988 Geneva Motor Show, featuring a reinforced floorpan, frameless doors and sophisticated electric hood complete with heated glass rear window. Underpinned by the same all round independent coil-sprung suspension and power assisted rack and pinion steering as its fixed head siblings, the soft-top came with anti-lock brakes as standard. Despite the hefty price tag of £40,000 a waiting list was quick to form.

This example dates from 1989 and has had just 3 previous keepers. It has covered 82,000 miles from new, the service history showing that it was serviced by Evans Halshaw until 55,690 miles, after which it has been looked after by local specialists. MOT’d until September 2011, it has recently had new front and rear discs and pads – no small task on the rear thanks to the inboard rear brakes, a new silencer, plugs and leads. Described by the vendor as driving beautifully and running smoothly on all 12 cylinders,  there can be few better cars in which to cross continents in luxury and style.