LOT 135: 1989 Jaguar XJS Convertible Auto

Guide Price: £10,000 to £12,000

Jaguar XJS Convertible Auto 1989 offered for sale.

Registered 28th February 1989. The current vendor and 9 previous owners in 35 years and has been in the current vendor’s ownership since April 2019. The car has a limited documented history but the ultra-low 46,600 miles checks out based on the cars DVLA MOT mileage history and overall excellent appearance of the engine and other mechanical items. Original handbooks are present, and the current MOT is valid until 27-May-2025.

This XJS has always been maintained by the vendor on a NO expense spared basis and is genuinely one of the best you will find (the vendor took a long time finding it). The Jaguar Signal red bodywork is in excellent condition with no obvious corrosion. The underside is in equally excellent, sound condition. The alloy wheels are also excellent and un-kerbed. All tyres are equally excellent. All chrome is very good with only small unobvious areas of failure.

The hood and interior headlining were replaced brand new in Sep-2020 and are still near new. However, through recent storage, there is some very slight green algae just starting on a couple of the hood edges which will easily clean off next time the hood is cleaned and fabric treated (a job that the vendor undertakes every year when the car comes out of storage). Again, through storage there is also some very slight marking to the hood headlining. This was professionally cleaned and treated last year and now just needs to be retreated to remove the very minimal marking that remains.

The exhaust system was replaced (by the vendor) in 2019 with an expensive custom-made stainless-steel set-up which sounds and looks amazing. However, it should be said that it is a bit louder than the original Jaguar system. Mechanically, everything is spot on. The XJS drives extremely well with accurate and tight steering and handling. The V12 engine has superb oil pressure and gives strong performance with no adverse noises or signs of over-heating or running hot. Occasionally, the dashboard temperature gauge does not activate if the car has not been run for a time (winter storage) but once used regularly, the gauge registers the engine temperature as expected.

All interior wood has been replaced (by the vendor) with expensive custom restored original items (the newly refurbished centre console “ski-slope” is still to be fitted but will be included in the sale) and overall, the interior is in great original condition. However, the seats, whilst perfectly sound, could do with being re-trimmed as the leather has dried out through age and has started to split (plus the seat bolsters are starting to fail). Also, the air-con does need needs re-gassing. There is an original quality factory fitted audio system with a 6-CD autochanger (all working as expected) and electric aerial (aerial replaced with a fully working new old-stock item and is currently awaiting re-connection). Electrics are all fine apart from a couple of puddle lights needing bulbs, the passenger seat electric-pumped lumbar support does not always deflate on request and one of the electric window switches and central locking occasionally behaves a little erratically. Nothing serious – the switch sticks and the locks can activate on their own. Also, in the sale is an expensive quality outdoor breathable car cover and a few spares including a replacement full front bumper (in excellent condition).

Note: This description is provided by the vendor and unless otherwise stated is ‘Not Verified’ by Barons or any person employed by Barons. Prospective purchasers are advised to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of any statements made, whether they be statements of fact or opinion.

Offered for sale by Barons Classic Car Auctioneers via a live online and attended auction at 1.00pm on Saturday 14th December at Barons, Unit 6, Harbour Close, Cracknore Industrial Park, Southampton SO40 4AF. Viewing from Monday 2nd December to Saturday 14th December. Office Hours are 9.00am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 023 8066 8413, Saturdays by appointment.