Jaguar XJS

If you're going to buy an XJS then do it properly.

-        Here is why this particular car should be at the top of your list.

First of all. you need to avoid the early ones with the teething problems and the ridiculously bad fuel consumption. But be careful - you should also skip the later ones which slumped into portliness. lost their unique styling and were weighed down by body kits. flares and pimped interiors.

That means that the purest and best cars (like this one) came after the introduction of the HE engine (High Efficiency – delivering better fuel economy and more power)  - but before the ‘facelift' models that pandered to the American market and blunted the sharp. original looks.

Then you will want the V12.  Let's face it. If you are looking at an XJS then don't pussy foot around - Go for the real thing: The unique and magical experience of a 5. 3 litre. 12 cylinder engine. This is the engine that makes the XJS a truly classic. 150 mph supercar.

Next. you want to think about exact model. This particular car is the XJC. The car that saved Jaguar by giving people the convertible that they craved. No it's not the ‘full' cabriolet of later years – it's better. The perfectly formed targa top gives you all the wind in the hair and the sky above you. but combines it with fantastic body stiffness and rigidity.  

It's also super rare - making it cooler in every sense of the word as well as more desirable and valuable.

Then of course. it's got to have low mileage and a full service history. Let's face it. you want to know what you're getting when you buy one of these cars so one like this. with records going back to the day of purchase. detailing a history of meticulous owners is just what you dream of.

Condition? You want to be buying the best that you can get for your budget. This car is exactly what you would expect from a car that has always been loved and garaged. It's fabulous: Gleaming paintwork. bright chrome. crisp cross spoke alloy wheels and soft. fragrant leather.  

What about the colour? It shouldn't really be important but somehow it is. This one is bright Sebring Red and the leather is jet black. Forget your fancy metallic burgundy paint jobs and magnolia interiors with white piping  - this is what a real Jaguar should look like.

How original is it? Has the car ever been modified or messed about? Not a bit of it. This vehicle comes complete with all original handbooks. service books. roof panel bags. tool kit. and even has the original (fully working cult classic) Clarion stereo/ cassette player

What about practicality? This one has the two plus two rear seat option fitted so if you need extra seating in the back it is there – but it also comes with the rear luggage boxes which can be re-fitted if desired.

 Oh yes – and one more thing. The number plate? This one boasts “A12 XJC”  - A nice finishing touch on a V12 Jaguar XJC.

-         By now you should have got the message. If you are looking for an XJS this one is special.

 So why am I selling? Well. to be honest I don't want to. I know that the XJS is right in the sweet spot on the valuation curve and everyone can see that they are now going up year on year. They seem to have finally passed through that stage of being 'the weird ones with the buttresses' and are being appreciated in their own right. You can't drive this car without someone stopping to admire it or simply sticking their thumb up in appreciation as you drive past

I love driving it and would like to keep it as an investment. but I inherited the car in a business transaction and I already have another classic. (One that I have owned since I was 17 years old and got married in. so when push comes to shove. it is the Jaguar that has to go)

Your turn. What is holding you back from putting in a bid or coming to take it for a test drive?

Alright. let's get really brutal and pick out the bad bits. Well I have scoured the car and have come up with three things: One tiny rust bubble on the rear wheel arch which I would need to point out to you or you would miss it; One tiny flaking of chrome (the size of a penny) on the rear quarter bumper; and a ten centimetre seam on the driver's seat squab has come undone. Oh yes and I have never re-gassed the air conditioning because when it's hot I put the roof down.

What else might be making you overly cautious? I suppose you might be worried about the fuel economy. Some would say that if that's a concern. then you shouldn't be looking at a Jaguar XJS  in the first place. But I would argue that this probably isn't a car you will be taking on regular 300 mile trips. It's a car for sunny days. driving to car shows. taking on country roads. arriving at dinner parties and occasionally bombing up the motorway to a meeting. Frankly. the fuel economy isn't that big a deal when it isn't your everyday driver.

Next you might be worried about repair bills. This car has been pampered all its life. She has been serviced by specialists at every step and repaired with no expense spared. It is about as protected from future garage bills as you can get.  

It has a new MOT and even the tester described it as a ‘Minter'.  

So where does that leave us?

Frankly. this car is probably the best you are going to find at this price.

Why aren't I asking for more money? Because every time my wife takes out our family car I have to move the Jaguar. We just haven't got the space for it – so I'd rather sell it quickly and easily. than hang on for weeks and weeks for a slightly higher sum.

 That's it.

You aren't getting any younger and the XJSs aren't getting any cheaper. If you don't make a move for this one. then you have to ask yourself. are you ever going to take the leap and buy an XJS?

 Life is short. Go for it.

Service history

Supplied new by Hattons Jaguar of Southport on the 1st December 1985 to a Mr J Nolan

Hattons Jaguar

19th May 1986 - 7. 56 miles

Hattons Jaguar

22nd January 1986 - 1. 28 miles

Grange Jaguar

17th June 1987 - 11. 30 miles

Grange Jaguar

18th December 1987 - 17. 15 miles

Grange Jaguar

14th June 1988 - 21. 39 miles

Grange Jaguar

9th January 1989 - 28. 73 miles

LJK Garages

6th January 1992 - 42. 84 miles

Lancaster Jaguar

17th May 1993 - 48. 14 miles

Lancaster Jaguar

16th August 1994 - 51. 28 miles

Rybrook Jaguar

12th February 1996 - 55. 94 miles

Rybrook Jaguar

24th April 1997 - 59. 32 miles

Holland Brothers Jaguar

19th April 2001 - 61. 91 miles

Tim Revett Jaguar Specialists

28th January 2009 - 66. 09 miles

Tim Revett Jaguar Specialists

4th April 2011 - 70. 46 miles

Hilton & Moss Classic Car Specialists

12th November 2012 - 71. 45miles

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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