Jaguar XJ-SC 5.3 Cabriolet

History

Celebrating its 32nd anniversary this year, the Jaguar XJ-S is at last achieving the full classic status that it so richly deserves. Powered by what is widely regarded as the finest V12 engine ever made, it mixed effortless performance with superb refinement and reliability. Rated at 295bhp and 320lbft of torque in its later guises, it was capable of 150mph and 0-60mph in less than eight seconds.

Launched in 1983, the XJ-SC cabriolet was a versatile design that combined lift-out targa panels with a folding rear hood and is now a much rarer car than the full convertible that succeeded it in 1988.

This particular 1986 car has been in the same ownership for the last 13 years and has lots of service history to show careful maintenance over that period. Fitted with a replacement engine just after it was purchased in 1999, it has only covered 4,000 miles since. Looking particularly macho on enormous TWR alloys, it was last serviced just 20 miles ago and is said to drive beautifully. With a long tax and MOT it is eminently useable as it is, but would now benefit from some cosmetic detailing to restore it to its former glory.