Jaguar XJS Convertible

History

Registration No. XJI 6796 Chassis No. SAJJ NADW 3DB 162147 Engine No .8 SO 6844 2SB Sir William Lyons and stylist Malcolm Sayer who together created the sensational E-Type Jaguar in 1960 were also responsible for its replacement in 1975. The XJS appeared six months after the last of the E-Types was built, and it was intended from the first to be a plush Grand Touring continent-crossing coup?. It was thought that convertibles would soon be outlawed and the company were happy to move into profitable luxury G.T. cars instead of out and out sports cars. Aerodynamic efficiency of the new coup? was ensured by development work by Sayer in a wind-tunnel, and the resulting drag co-efficient of 0.37 considerably improved on the 0.42 of the 2+2 E-type. Many styling cues were borrowed from the experimental mid-engined XJ13 racing car of 1966-67, and the XJS was designed to accommodate the magnificent 5.3 litre V-12 engine already in use in the series III E-Type and XJ saloons. Suspension was by coil-sprung independent-wishbones all round, as in the XJ saloons, giving exceptional ride and handling, and the mighty V-12 engine produced immense power and torque with resulting terrific performance or the ability to waft lazily at low revs in great luxury and silence. Inside, the body gave more space than the E-Type, being wider and somewhat higher, but the cockpit was still a very cosy fit with its large central transmission tunnel. Improvements appeared over the years, most noticeably the Michael May high swirl, high-compression cylinder head in 1982, prompting the new H.E. (high efficiency) model name. In 1983 the 3.6 litre AJ6 engine was introduced as an option, but the big news was the arrival of the first open XJS, the Cabriolet, with removable Targa panels. Finally in 1988 came what everyone had been waiting for, a fully ?openable? Convertible XJS, totally re-engineered and with a power operated hood and with the side windows retracting into the body. These cars were built to a very high specification, including a heated glass rear screen in the hood, power-steering, air conditioning, and of course the usual servo disc-brakes, automatic gearbox and fuel injection. This car was supplied new by H.A. Fox and first registered on 1 August 1989. It was purchased by the current owner, a long-time Jaguar enthusiast and J.D.C. member in March 2002 with a recorded mileage of 38,000; the current reading is 42,400. All mileages are supported by MoT certificates and service records with Jaguar specialists. The car has always been properly maintained, currently by Motorsport (Ross) Ltd who recently also fitted a new steering rack. Paintwork is immaculate and all original in Signal Red, certainly the best colour for this car, and complemented by a magnolia hide interior with a black mohair hood and hood cover. The spare wheel has never been used! In every way this car is as near a new and perfect specimen as would be expected in a car which has covered a mere 42,000 miles, and it can be purchased with complete confidence. A V5C document, MoT to July 2006 and a comprehensive service record are included with this magnificent example of the most sought after model of XJS Convertible.