1975 Jaguar XJ-C 5 3 Cabriolet

For sale by auction on Saturday 30 November 2013 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
Since 1968. the XJ series of motorcars became the mainstay of
Jaguar cars and. in fact. was the last model to have any input by
its founder. Sir William Lyons. After the series I and II. a
relatively short run of two door XJ coupés with a pillarless
hardtop body called the XJ-C were built between 1975 and 1978. The
car was actually launched at the London Motor Show in October 1973. br/>but it soon became clear that it was not ready for production and
the economic troubles unfolding in the western world at the time
reduced further any sense of urgency about producing and selling
the cars. They finally started to emerge from Jaguar show-rooms
some two years later and were priced higher than the four-door car
becoming immediately relatively exclusive. The profile of these
sought after touring cars was so attractive. with windows down. br/>that they are often hard to find in good condition.
Cabriolet International. based in Blackpool. was renowned for
converting Jaguar cars into convertibles. They cut the steel from
the roof. leaving around three inches of the original roof in place
around the door frames and windscreen. They then fitted a cross
beam which created a very strong structure for the car and also
meant that when the roof was closed. from a distance. it was hardly
distinguishable from a standard car. With the hood open. the
occupants would experience open top comfort but within the virtual
safety of the normal saloon. Cabriolet International's hood
mechanism had quite an advantage over some of the other
coachbuilders converting Jaguar XJ6's in that when the hood was
open it laid flat on the rear parcel shelf thereby not obscuring
the rear view as much as some other conversions.
This very nice 1975 Jaguar XJ-C fitted with the 5. 3 litre V12
engine was purchased by the last owner in 1984 who had the car
converted. it is believed. by Cabriolet International Ltd. In 1988
the car was subject to some body repairs due to rust. a repaint and
at the same time. a re-trim of the interior. Finished in dark blue
with black leather interior. the car has had very little use since
the body restoration and has been off the road and SORN since 2007.
Now fully re-commissioned and with a new roof. this XJ-C is ready
to be used and comes supplied with a V5C registration document. an
MoT test certificate which expires in May 2014 and a file
containing old invoices and MoT/SORN certificates. This unusual
Jaguar convertible is an ideal car combining the benefit of open
air motoring with the luxury of the Jaguar XJ-C Coupé.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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