BREATHTAKING 1988 JAGUAR XJS V12 CONVERTIBLE 2 OWNER

PRESENTING

A rare opportunity to acquire what is. almost certainly. one of the lowest mileage and best XJ-S 5. 3 V12 HE auto convertibles available for sale.

 

Always garaged and latterly dry stored for a number of years with just 2 Private owners from new. The first a lady. the last since 1992.

 

 Just 22. 00 genuine miles from new supported by service history.

 

Always cherished. kept undercover and garaged.  

 

Retaining all of its original panels and the vast majority of its Browns Lane applied paint finish the car is today remarkably rust free and is quite simply absolutely outstanding in every way.

 

Amongst the very best of the best you would be hard pushed to find a superior example for sale anywhere.

 

Launched in 1975 the Jaguar XJ-S had quite a mountain to climb. for it was seen by some as the successor to the glamorous and hugely popular E-Type. However. in reality. the car was never envisaged as a direct replacement for the E-Type - being more of a Grand tourer than an out and out sports car.

 

Largely designed by Jaguar's legendary Malcolm Sayer the XJ-S had a top speed of 150mph and 0-60 time of under 8 seconds it slipped through the air far more efficiently than the E-Type and its excellent ride. comfort and handling were justly praised by the mid Seventies motoring press.

 

In 1981 the XJ-S received the new HE (High Efficiency) V12 engine providing improved fuel economy and taking the top speed to 155mph. making it the fastest automatic car in the world.

 

Popularity for the XJ-S grew through the 1980's. However despite a cabriolet being introduced in 1985. which offered somewhat awkward to use targa panels that many thought only really proved equivalent to a sunroof. span >  the range desperately lacked the full convertible that die hard Jaguar open top enthusiasts truly sought.

 

In March 1988 at the Geneva motor Show Jaguar presented the new improved and better equipped facelift version of the XJ-S Coupe which included a new steering wheel. redesigned seats and new burl walnut trim. Far more significant though. and shown for the first time. was the all new long awaited full convertible which offered true open top motoring with just the press of a button. With lattice alloy wheels as standard to many this was. and still is. the most eye-catching XJ-S ever.

 

The convertible was so popular and desirable that it soon was making up 57% of all XJ-S sales

 

As always with classic cars original condition low mileage. privately owned examples are the most desired. with this being particularly so in the case of the XJ-S convertible.

 

By the late eighties the cost of an XJ-S convertible had risen to close on £36. 00 (in excess of £100. 00 by comparison today) and beyond the reach of the majority of private buyers. consequently most were registered to companies.

 

To find a 25 year old XJ-S V12 convertible that has only had 2 owners from new is of course now very rare. To find one where the owners were not  company's but a private individuals rarer still. but to find one that has only had two private owners is in un-restored absolutely outstanding original condition and that has covered just 22. 00 genuine miles – well that's just almost unheard of………

 

……until now that is.

 

F484 PJD

 

On the 22 September 1988 the first owner of F484 PJD. a lady. span >  travelled the 40 or so miles from her home near Chelmsford to Follett Jaguar on the Fulham road in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. London.

 

The purpose of her visit was to collect her new Jaguar XJ-S V12 automatic convertible.

 

The car had been ordered in one of the best colour trim combinations of Arctic Blue with extra cost option of Magnolia leather trim. No other factory extras had been ordered.

 

During its early years F484 PJD was used infrequently. garaged when not in use and maintained by Jaguar dealers. A factory extended warrantee was purchased.

 

By July 1991 the mileage according to the service book was just 14. 69.

 

F484 PJD was acquired by its second owner. a local man also from Chelmsford who was then 62. when it was just over three years old - although the change was not recorded by the DVLA until the 3rd of March 1992 owing to the owner carrying out a cherished transfer of his own registration number.

 

The second. and indeed last. owner was a Jaguar enthusiast who had always promised himself an XJ-S convertible for his retirement. It was never his intention to use the car on a daily basis as he also owed a 1988 Jaguar Sovereign for that purpose.  

 

The XJ-S was always destined to be a vehicle for use only on high days and holidays and to see the owner through the remainder of his driving days. To that end F484 PJD was always cherished. infrequently used and cared for with a passion. The Jaguar would never intentionally be used in the wet and would spend most of its time in the garage at the owners home.

 

Stamps in the service book show that by 1995 the mileage was just 18. 92. by 1999 20. 04 and by 2004 22. 81 as the owner aged use decreased even further. VOSA records show that when the car was presented for MOT in 2007 the mileage was just 22. 86.

 

Shortly after the 2007 MOT test the owner. now 77. was finding it a little difficult to continue to drive the XJ-S. F484 PJD was laid up and SORN in the owners brothers specialised storage facility that housed his collection of early twentieth century vintage cars. These were cars that needed to be stored in exactly the correct environment and it was one that also well suited such an outstanding XJ-S.

 

The owner remained hopeful that he would once again get to use his beloved XJ-S. However it was not to be the case and last year. with the owner now in his early eighties. he made the sad decision to part with it.  

 

MOT'ed again in October last year for the first time since 2007 F484 PJD failed only on a loose front number plate and a N/S/F brake binding. With both these rectified a certificate was issued.

 

The Jaguar is now back on its original registration number. F484 PJD and has road tax until September 2013.

 

We have just had our Jaguar experts lightly re-commission the car and check it all over. They have changed the oil and filter and greased all over etc. If you know your XJ-S's you will be aware how sometimes it can be the bits you can't easily see. unless you have the car on a ramp. that can cost a fortune to replace the font sub frame and suspension components for example.

 

New brakes pads to the rear and the system has been bled.

 

The Air Con has been serviced and changed from the now illegal CFC gas to the more efficient and legal type 134A gas.

 

Our Jaguar experts were amazed at the condition of these items. thinking at first that they must have been recently replaced before their investigations actually determined that that were in fact original items still with their manufacturers paint intact and in as good a condition as they have ever seen on a car of this age.    

 

Today then this beautiful Jaguar is very original indeed. The paintwork is. for the most part. that applied at the factory 25 years ago and the owner has given us his written assurances that no major paint reification whatsoever has been carried out since he has owned the car.

 

All five tyres are Pirelli P600's as fitted when new although the four on the car were changed some years back because of their age rather than through wear.

 

The mileage is just 22. 00 from new.

 

The condition of this remarkable two owner XJ-S V12 convertible can only be described as exemplary.

 

BODYWORK

The bodywork is ‘laser' straight; there are no car park dings or dents or chipped door edges.

 

The vast majority of the paint finish which retains a fantastic lustre is that applied at Browns Lane over 25 years ago.

 

The owner has given use assurances in writing that during his 20 plus years ownership only Minor paint rectification has been carried out. In the main this would seem to have been the repainting of the lower half of the N/S/F wing and wheel arch following a parking mishap several years back. The colour match is excellent and it is only distinguishable through a slight variation in lacquer texture.

 

There are signs. that would not be obvious to the untrained eye. of some other very early rectification. In the main below the coach line also to the nearside. This work was almost certainly carried out by the supplying dealer when new but in any event it predates the last owner - so again at least over 20 years old.

 

With the exception of a couple of minuscule stone chips that have been touched in as they occurred over the years the whole car is blemish free.

 

There are no signs anywhere of rust including to the underside. and wheel arch lips. inner floor and boot floor.

 

The door shuts. underside of the doors. boot and bonnet shuts are as new.

 

The correct sports alloy wheels are unmarked including the inner faces. They are original and have not been refurbished.

 

Of course no welding has ever been done. nor is any required.

 

The hood is unmarked with not the slightest tear. rip or wear mark. It has been protected when not in use.

 

The heated rear window works and the hood operates electrically just as it should with both rear windows operating correctly. The seals and fluid have just been replaced to make sure it stays that way.

 

INTERIOR

Magnolia the best colour and a perfect contrast with Arctic Blue.

 

In line with the rest of the car you could be forgiven for thinking that this is a vehicle that is only a couple of years old rather than over ten times that old when you see the interior.

 

The seats have a nice patina with some light aged creasing to the leather seat facings and a couple of small colour matched touch in's to the piping on the driver's side.

 

The carpets which have been covered with Jaguar over mats from new are absolutely perfect. even the driver's heel mat is unmarked.

 

There is no cracking or distortion whatsoever to the walnut veneer.

 

The door cards and the rest of the trim are unmarked.

 

The headlining is excellent with just the slightest trace of crease marks on the folds in a couple of places.

 

There is the standard top of the range Jaguar radio cassette player.

 

The Air conditioning runs ice cold and has been converted to type 134A Gas.

 

The seats are heated and have electric lumber adjustment.

 

UNDER THE BONNET

 

Exceptional.

 

Under the bonnet the engine bay is spotless and only through such limited use could it present so well and correct.

 

No sign of rust to the body or inner wings whatsoever.

 

Original stickers remain.

 

Most of the pipe work gleams and there is very little sign or deterioration to the visual appearance of components.

 

Once again you would never know the age of the vehicle from an inspection in here.

 

Alarm - untested

 

IN THE BOOT

 

In keeping with the rest of the car the carpet and trim in exceptional unmarked condition.

 

The spare wheel is new with a factory fitted P600.

 

The boot lid holds up on hydraulic struts. /span>

 

The jack is in its original carpet bag and looks to have never been opened.

 

complete tool kit even with its original spare light bulbs

Under the carpet/spare wheel the boot floor shows no signs of rust.

 

ON THE ROAD

The car starts on the button with automatic choke.

 

There are no untoward noises or smoke

 

The automatic gearbox changes up and down just as it should.

 

On the road the car drives like an absolute dream. the engine sounds and behaves like a 22. 00 mile Jaguar 5. 3 V12 engine should.

 

There are no untoward suspension. diff. wheel bearing etc noises.

 

M. O. T. until May 2013.

 

No signs of oil leaks.

 

F484 PJD an absolute delight to drive.

 

New MOT until May 2014 with no advisory notes (even though the current one does not expire until October)

 

HISTORY FILE

 

1        V5C (logbook)

2        copy of old V5C before cherished transfer.

3        MOT May 2014

4        the original green  Jaguar Wallet containing every book and document that came with the car when new. hand book. stereo handbook. service book. extended guarantee. Service invoices

5        VOSA MOT print out

6        letter from owner verifying history and mileage

7        Extended warranty paperwork

 

It's a bold claim – ‘amongst the very best of the best low mileage examples available'. It's not a claim that we make lightly but one that we wholeheartedly believe to be correct.

 

Many enthusiasts and collectors search for years until they find ‘the right car' If you have been looking for a 5. 3 XJ-S V12 convertible we think that you need look no further. the search is over.

 

F484 PJD is in mind-blowing condition. It certainly took our breath away when we first saw it. and it still does.

 

It is fantastic in every way and has been truly loved and cherished since new and has covered just 22. 00 miles.

 

A unique opportunity indeed - don't miss it because you may never get another!

VALUE

Low mileage. history. condition. and originality will contribute greatly to the value of any classic. This one not only ticks all these boxes but excels in all of these categories.

 

Low mileage top condition Jaguars with history have always been highly sought-after with soft top models constantly being the most desirable.

The XJ-S is set to follow in the path of the E- type in terms of popularity. growth in value and sound investment for the future.

 

Imagine going back and being able to find-say- an E-type Roadster that was then 25 years old with just 22. 000 miles and in this original condition. What would it be worth today compared to what you paid for it? This is an exceptional Jaguar and its final price will no doubt reflect that.

 

XJ-S convertible prices have risen steadily in recent years.

 

There are a couple of XJ-S's on sale at the moment with dealers. both of them with double or triple the mileage of this one and priced at circa £20. 00. It is almost inconceivable that theses other vehicles could in any way be equal to. let alone superior to the one offered here today.

 

Our reserve though for this car is not set at anywhere near twenty thousand. In actual fact. unbelievably it is set at several thousands of pounds below twenty.

 

 

VIEWING

We will. of course. be happy for serious buyers to view the car by appointment and with reasonable notice. although we will always do our best to accommodate. prior to auction end. However. please bear in mind the expected final price above.

 

If you are unsure of being able to acquire the relevant funds equal to the expected final price you should question. for both our sakes. whether you should come to view.

 

Please be sure that this is the vehicle that you want before you bid. If you have any doubt come and see it first or at the very least telephone. However. if you require someone else to sanction the purchase. i. e. your wife's permission. please get it before you come to view.

 

If you do want to view or ask for any more information please call David. on 07771 567567 or e-mail via ebay. We really are very approachable and welcome any questions about the vehicle.

 

ORIGINAL V RESTORED - OUR VIEW

We endeavour. on the whole. to offer original. genuine. exceptionally low mileage and unrestored cars from the 1970. and 1980. .

 

Almost all cars from this era have had a little paint rectification carried out at some time during their 20-40 years. However there is. of course. a huge difference between rectification of paint work and total vehicle restoration.

 

Paint rectification at the factory post production line or. indeed. by the supplying dealer was common in the 70's and 80's when most cars were sprayed by hand as opposed to today's automated processes. From time to time we will offer a car that has had some paint rectification for these reasons or perhaps to localised areas following parking mishaps etcetera.

 

Occasionally we may offer a car that has had rather more paint rectification although we will always endeavour to make this known in the description. It will be very rare however for us to offer a car that has had a full restoration. and only then if we have satisfied ourselves of the quality of the work.

 

It is becoming extremely difficult to obtain an unrestored 20-40 year old car. By and large they were just not built to last in the 70's and 80's. However. if you do find an original example that's survived the chances are that. if looked after. it should last for many more years. after all it will only have lasted this long because it will have had little use and been extraordinarily well cared for previously. The same. unfortunately. is far less likely to be able to be said for a car that has under gone renovation.

 

We think that you simply cannot beat a straight original example of any item. There is a school of thought that believes that if you take something apart and then put it back together you are just recreating that item in a false attempt to make it as it was in its former glory. and that no matter how well a vehicle has been restored it can only be original once.

 

Whereas we know that many restorations are done to the highest standards we believe that there are far more that are not. Who really knows what skulduggery may lie beneath a car that has possibly covered hundreds of thousands of miles then been restored at least one time or maybe even more than once! In our view if a car has required restoration then by default it must have become worn out. tired and have most probably been neglected.

 

It is interesting to note that of late we have sold some of our finest original quality cars to some of that particular Marques top and best known restorers. Even they know. in their hearts. that one thing is for sure - a car that has been the subject of restoration. no matter how good will. almost with out exception. lack the spirit and soul of an original example and probably cost 3 times as much to complete and be worth less than half the an original example when done!

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

By Bidding on any item it will be deemed that you have read understood and accept these conditions.

 

ZERO RATED BIDDERS OR BIDDERS WITH A RATING OF LESS THAN 10. please read the conditions that apply to you below.

 

Contacts. location

The vehicle is in South West Oxfordshire. 15 minutes from the A34 at Oxford (M40 from London or Birmingham) or 20 minutes from Swindon East Junction of the M4.

Mobile 07771 567567

E-mail via ebay

Before you enter a bid

Please be sure that this is the vehicle that you want. that you are happy with and understand the description. that you understand the rules of ebay and that you have read these terms and conditions.

Description

We have included a full and honest description and photographs which many people will feel happy to buy from. The description endeavours to be as informative as practically possible but is not. obviously. meticulous with regard to every individual part or area of the vehicle and is intended to represent an overview and not a thorough condition assessment report.

 

Please remember that all vehicles deteriorate as soon as they leave the factory. just some to a lesser degree than others. This is not a new vehicle and common sense. giving consideration to its age and mileage. should prevail. Any references to condition should be taken in the context of age of vehicle.

 

If you require any further information regarding specific areas please just ask. BEFORE YOU BID.

 

We are a business selling on ebay it is important to us to maintain our good seller's reputation and ensure that our customers are completely satisfied. Therefore it is positively not in our interest to deliberately miss-describe the vehicle.

 

Finally so confident are we that our description is a fair representation of the vehicle that if. on collection. it is not and there are obvious serious imperfections or serious faults. not previously mentioned. we will not expect you to proceed. However please do not interpret this genuine good practice offer as a way out of not paying. or paying less for a vehicle that you have legally bought for the amount bid at the auction end.

Photographs

All photographs in the listing are taken by us using a digital camera. They are recent and are often taken just hours before the listing is posted. Other shots may be available please just ask and let us have an email address. All photographs are copyrighted and may not be used elsewhere without our express written permission.

Test drive

You will be able to take the vehicle on an accompanied test drive before you pay for it but will only be able to not proceed if you find a major mechanical fault that has not been mentioned in the description.

When you bid

By bidding you are agreeing and legally bound. if your bid is highest and the reserve is reached. to unconditionally buy the vehicle for the price that you have bid.

Negative. zero rated. international bidders or bidders with a score of less than 10 please call or e-mail before you bid with a landline number and address. We accept that just because you don't have a high score does not mean that you are not serious. but we do need to check you are real. that you clearly understand the rules and your intentions are good-you hear of some horrible tales!.

Far be it for us to tell you how to go about bidding. However. over the years we have had some bitterly disappointed bidders who placed there best and final bid just to late.

 

We understand why you might leave your bidding until the final few seconds however please at least make sure that you are signed in to your ebay account. one of our customers recently missed a car that he had searched for for years because when he went to bid he had been logged out and had not left himself time to re enter his password!

 

It may be to your advantage to take independent advice on the best way to bid. You are welcome to call 07771 567567 after the auction end should your bid not have been successful.

Reserve and buy it now price

As is the way with auctions. we will not normally divulge the reserve price or issue a buy it now price. if we do from time to time we will state so in the description. In fairness to all bidders we will not end the auction early and let it run its course. except on the very rear occasion of the vehicle being advertised elsewhere.

 

Please. do not ask what the reserve is set at.

If you are the winner

The Successful bidder should contact us within 12 hours of auction end. Preferably by email. via ebay. and by telephone 07771 567567.

 

An invoice will be issued for the full amount via ebay with instructions how to pay the deposit via Paypal.

 

All buyers must pay a £200 Deposit via Paypal or cash within 24 hours of end of auction.

Payment

In all cases the balances. after the £200 deposit above or any additional deposit below. must be paid within 7 days of auction end.

 

The total Balance to be paid by Cash U. K pounds on collection or bank transfer prior to collection. We will transfer the money back should we not proceed for misrepresentation reasons as outlined above.

 

If you are unable to provide the above we will require an additional deposit of 10% of the sale price paid in cash or via Paypal within 48 hours of the auction end. You will then be able to give us a personal cheque or bankers draft provided they are drawn on a U. K bank either of these will need to be cleared and funds drawn against them prior to the vehicle being released. Sorry there can be no exceptions and deposits are not refundable.

Collection

The vehicle must be collected within 7 days of auction end unless otherwise agreed. We will assist you with collection where we can and will email full directions on how to find us.

Please give us as much notice of required collection time and date as possible. If you are delayed its not normally a problem please just let us know. We would ask that you ring us when you are an hour or so away from us.

We reserve the right to charge for storage if the vehicle is not collected within 7 days of auction end.

We do check our vehicles over before sale but please remember that the vehicles we sell often are many years old and some of them have had none or very little recent use. Occasionally things can unexpectedly go wrong. Allow plenty of time for your journey. especially if you are catching a ferry and it may be a good idea to have AA or RAC cover. this is not a reflection on this particular car just good general advice for any older/classic car user.

 

We are happy to pickup the buyer from Oxford or Swindon Station; delivery of the vehicle or collection of the buyer from elsewhere may be possible at extra cost – just ask. We will always try to be flexible and help where we can

 

AIRPORTS. Provided that the reserve price has been met we do offer a collection service from Birmingham. Luton. Heathrow or Bristol Airports. subject to suitable times. We charge a nominal £25. 00 for this. For costs where the reserve has not been met or other locations please enquire.

 

Delivery. we do have a tow vehicle and are able to hire a trailer big enough for most cars. please enquire.

General

Non paying bidders will be reported to ebay and may be referred to an international debt collection agency.

 

The successful bidder should ensure that the vehicle is insured by them at auction end.

 

Bidders from outside the U. K. welcome but please call before bidding.

 

Descriptions. terms conditions and pictures used in this listing are copyrighted and my not be used without the authors express permission.

 

Items bought at auction do not have warranty.

 

You will not be disappointed with this vehicle so please start your bidding now- best of Luck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also published at eBay.co.uk

Want to buy this car?