2024-08-01 15:52:38 | pauls writes:

Car at auction 8/1/24

carsonline.bonhams.com/en/listings/jaguar/xj-s-53-v12-convertible/9d72f374-d3af- ...

Auction description:

SAJJNAEW3BB170558

61698 miles

5343 cc

auto

Blue

Cream

Right-hand drive

This example is a pre-facelift Convertible in a highly original condition and clearly a UK specified and supplied car. The XJ-S was first registered in July 1990 less than a year before the May 1991 “Ford” facelift that saw modest changes but, quite noticeably, the dropping of the hyphen between the “J” and the “S.” 

This convertible has been owned and enjoyed by 10 previous keepers which may initially sound high. However, given this car’s 34-year age that equates to an average tenure of just under 3.5 years which is entirely typical for cars in the UK. 

The current owner acquired the XJ-S in June 2018 at around 61,000 miles. Today the odometer reads 61,698 miles meaning that the car has hardly been used in the last six years but regularly started and moved to keep everything lubricated and freed up. The online MoT records reveal that the V12 has covered less than 8,000 miles since its first entry in 2005. The car’s current good mechanical condition is positively supported by its advisory free MoT of around a month ago. 

For some purists, the original XJ-S’s design was difficult to immediately admire. The car’s flying buttress style C pillar treatment divided opinion. Whatever your view, the appearance of the full convertible in 1988 revealed a daintier looking car with more obvious sports car DNA. The well resolved and admirably integrated hood design was especially noteworthy.

This XJ-S Convertible is presented in bright Artic Blue Metallic paintwork (337 JFE) with a complementary blue fabric hood. This shade is very well suited to a convertible, somehow, and suits the car’s sophisticated elegance perfectly, too. A deep, lustrous shine emanates from every panel, with very few bodily imperfections noted.  

Luckily, unlike many XJ-Ss of this vintage, our example has not been converted to the US specification quad headlamp arrangement. Rather it retains the original and signature elliptical headlamps and associated wipers and washers. Likewise at the rear, the original buttress style pre-facelift taillights are in evidence. Back here the Jaguar is fitted with a sizeable, body coloured boot spoiler as used on some post face-lift models. 

The car sits on a set of the original “lattice” 6.5J x 15 light alloy wheels date stamped from 1989. These are in an excellent condition and finished in bright metallic silver with gold Jaguar head centre caps. The alloys are shod with a matching set of quality Pirelli P600 tyres in the correct 235/60 configuration.

The fabric hood is finished in a blue hue and is in a good overall condition. It is complete with a glass and heated rear window and the original fitted tonneau cover is present. There are a couple of minor imperfections noted around the rear window. The electric hood is deployed via a centre console mounted rocker switch. 

Exterior

For some purists, the original XJ-S’s design was difficult to immediately admire. The car’s flying buttress style C pillar treatment divided opinion. Whatever your view, the appearance of the full convertible in 1988 revealed a daintier looking car with more obvious sports car DNA. The well resolved and admirably integrated hood design was especially noteworthy.

This XJ-S Convertible is presented in bright Artic Blue Metallic paintwork (337 JFE) with a complementary blue fabric hood. This shade is very well suited to a convertible, somehow, and suits the car’s sophisticated elegance perfectly, too. A deep, lustrous shine emanates from every panel, with very few bodily imperfections noted. 

Luckily, unlike many XJ-Ss of this vintage, our example has not been converted to the US specification quad headlamp arrangement. Rather it retains the original and signature elliptical headlamps and associated wipers and washers. Likewise at the rear, the original buttress style pre-facelift taillights are in evidence. Back here the Jaguar is fitted with a sizeable, body coloured boot spoiler as used on some post face-lift models.

The car sits on a set of the original “lattice” 6.5J x 15 light alloy wheels date stamped from 1989. These are in an excellent condition and finished in bright metallic silver with gold Jaguar head centre caps. The alloys are shod with a matching set of quality Pirelli P600 tyres in the correct 235/60 configuration.

The fabric hood is finished in a blue hue and is in a good overall condition. It is complete with a glass and heated rear window and the original fitted tonneau cover is present. There are a couple of minor imperfections noted around the rear window. The electric hood is deployed via a centre console mounted rocker switch.

Interior

Jaguar had always been masters of the “special occasion” cabin and the XJ-S was certainly no exception. Our example is trimmed in luxurious Barley (AFW) coloured leather and generous accents of hand polished burr walnut veneer. It’s a classy yet traditional blend which has aged very well and presents in a fine, overall condition. 

The leather extends to the heavily bolstered sports seats, door cards and centre console. The seats are stitched into horizontal, padded box pleats for additional comfort and support. The condition of these is excellent with even the driver’s seat side-bolster seemingly in good order. The seats are both heated and electrically adjustable. 

The dashboard is beautifully finished in burr walnut veneer which extends into the centre console and wraps around and into the tops of the door cards. For many, your author included, a highlight of the pre-facelifted cars’ dash is the quartet of aircraft style barrel gauges situated between the tachometer and speedometer. These sit behind the daintier pre-airbag two spoke steering wheel. Another key highlight of this car is that single available optional extra in the form of the armrest mounted Nokia car phone. This is paired with the special cutout and shaped armrest aperture to make receiving calls from your broker all the easier. 

Behind the seats is a useful, carpeted luggage shelf with a sensibly shaped, lockable valuables chest set into it. The deep boot is surprisingly commodious too. It is finished in its original, mid-tan carpet set. A pristine looking full sized spare wheel and tyre are secured to the rear bulkhead. The original jack and attaché cased tool kit are also present.

Mechanical

This particular XJ-S features the iconic 5.3L V12 engine so often associated with sporting Jaguars and what a sight, and sound, it is. For those unused to so many, small cylinders working in harmony, the sensory treat in store is a delight. It sounds, and feels, so smooth with a civilised bass growl in evidence under higher revs.  

The V12 is mated to the 3 speed Hydra Matic automatic transmission which feeds that power (280bhp) and torque (306Ib-ft) to the rear wheels. This combination is noted for its ultimate “waftability” with huge reserves of power on tap when needed... or wanted. 

Lifting the bonnet makes you wonder if William Heath Robinson was involved in the design of this iconic engine. In a time before engine covers were widely used, all the pipes, wires and sonorous inlet manifold are there for all to see. This is very much par for the course for the Jaguar V12, of course, with everything looking as it should and highly original. The underside of the V12 appears straight, solid and free from leaks underlining the low milage, lightly used nature of the car.

2025-03-09 12:18:40 | pauls writes:

Car now on ebay:

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296999709983

Classified ad price £12,500, seller evadog2, 61k miles

Seller's description:

For sale my XJS, end of life crisis, 2 years surgery and hospital, came out and thought i could have another classic car, wrong I'm 85 and struggle to get in and out, must face up to it, cars perfect and gorgeous, drives as new, FSH, been loved all its life and, loads paper work showing maintenance over years maintained, nil corrosion any where and underneath, regular oil and filters, i drive steady and its brilliant on fuel if driven like me old person  

Ive owned her only 6 months my last dream, too unwell to use her, last owner had her 23 years but he passed. hence mine last dream .

2025-03-30 13:09:59 | pauls writes:

Car returns to auction 4/25

www.brightwells.com/timed-sale/5721/lot/784739

Auction description:

1990 Jaguar XJS HE V12 Convertible

Auction Ends: Wed 2nd

Estimate: £10,500-12,500

Registration Number G668KOE

Engine Size 5343cc

Engine Number 85074499SB

Chassis Number SAJJNAEW3BB170558

Gearbox Automatic

Documents V5C; older V5

2025-05-10 21:08:36 | pauls writes:

Car returns to auction 5/25

www.brightwells.com/timed-sale/5722/lot/792555

Auction description same as above