BF Auction: 1989 Jaguar XJS Convertible
- Seller: Tedd Z
- Location: Hales Corners, Wisconsin
- Mileage: 45576 Shown
- Chassis #: SAJNV4847KC163835
- Title Status: Clean
When it came out in 1975, the Jaguar XJS had some big shoes to fill. The E-Type was fast and beautiful. How could Jaguar improve on it? The new XJS enjoyed a 21-year production run and outsold the E-Type by over 40k units, so they must have done something right. If you want to experience what it was all about, this exceptionally clean example is being auctioned exclusively here on Barn Finds!
The XJS could be had with an inline-six or a v12 engine. This particular car is fitted with the twelve. Some people prefer the six for the simplicity, but the V12 shouldn’t be discounted. It was an evolution of the engine used in the E-Type, and it was smooth, quiet, and powerful. These cars were very expensive when new so it was the perfect choice for such an exotic machine.
The XJS was built to travel fast and comfortably over long distances. As you can see, these cars were fitted with all the bells and whistles. This car has only covered 45,576 miles, and the interior and paint appear to be in excellent condition. The books, two sets of keys, a jack, and factory bags are all included. The top has been replaced, too.
The XJS may have lost some of the E-Type’s curves but gained comfort and usability. The E-Type is nice to look at, but this is the car you want if you want to drive it regularly. Review all the photos in the gallery and post any questions in the comments section before placing your bid below. The reserve is set at a reasonable amount and we have a feeling that the next owner is going to enjoy this Leaping Cat!
Bid On This Auction
Mike Vickers bid $9,700.00 2024-06-20 10:52:00
R SCOTT pearson bid $9,500.00 2024-06-19 18:42:02
Fast1 bid $9,000.00 2024-06-19 10:25:36
ukrman bid $4,500.00 2024-06-18 22:34:07
LesN bid $4,000.00 2024-06-18 14:34:25
Alexander1 bid $3,750.00 2024-06-16 13:16:11
George77 bid $860.00 2024-06-16 08:06:40
PhilLa bid $610.00 2024-06-15 08:53:43- George77 bid $359.00 2024-06-14 16:01:55
- PhilLa bid $100.00 2024-06-14 11:57:45
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Comments
Has it been repainted? If so, how recently?
No it is all original paint.
The E-Type was nice to look at, but these aren’t too shabby either! If that V12 has been maintained, it should still be a good engine. I believe this engine is basically two sixes, with two electrical and fuel systems serving six cylinders each.
No it is not two 6 cylinders. It is a proper V12 that is massively overbuilt. Properly maintained the engine will long outlast the owner.
However because it scares everyone when the hood is opened due to the poor layout of wires and hoses. People don’t realize that a V12 is actually easier to work on than a V8- 6 or 4 cylinder. ( please ask I’ll explain)
Accordingly if you have others work on it you will pay a real premium for parts and labor.
DIY guys will find it’s less expensive to own than a V8.
Plus it’s really powerful. It has 130 horsepower more than a Chevy 350 and 32 more horsepower than a Chevy 454
Unlike American cars it’s not designed for stop light drag races.
It’s got an actual 150 mph top speed. And is very comfortable going at that sort of speed.
I’ve had the pleasure of hearing one of these run. Its mechanical noises are music to the ears. You’ve no doubt heard of people yanking the V12 and replacing it with an LS-swap, but in a twist there’s a You Tube veteran who is shoe-horning a Jag V12 into a ’66 Chevelle!
Absolutely love the XJS, and only a double six!!! (Yep I’m old school , double six or V12, same thing) Had the privilege of driving a race preped touring car, road registered XJS, Broke the speed limit in first gear. Beautiful car, good luck with the sale.
Thank You. Aussie Dave
Your welcome Tedd, an XJS, is only an XJS with a V12.
Look up Ralph Hosier’s Technoblog; Demystifying the Jaguar V-12.
Simple explanation and some shortcuts on easier maintainance, removal of non-essential pipes and hoses. It’ll make you want to buy this car! 😁
Thanks for sharing! Here’s the link: https://ralphhosier.wordpress.com/2011/10/02/de-mystifying-the-jaguar-v12/
Makes me want to get one!
Beautiful! The only design flaw with the XJS, IMHO, is the “flying buttress” B pillar on the coupes, which is eliminated on the convertible. In other words, flawless design!
Funny, the buttresses are part of the excellent design IMHO. The reason I’m not considering convertibles in my search for one.🙂
I’ll take either, “buttress or convertible!
I loved my XJS . . . when it was running. (Which was infrequently.) Most unreliable vehicle I ever owned. Replaced several radiators and alternators. Local dealer (Imperial Motors – Wilmette). Refused to honor warranty. Good luck to whoever buys this.
. . . with wonderful Lucas Electronics, and their 3-position headlight switch:
Off; Dim; and flicker!!
Carry a fire extinguisher with these cars!
Big, heavy and complicated.
Is it currently running and is it as sound and good as it appears.
Nice Cat, its hard enough to keep six cylinders operating properly on this gen Jaguar. Some folks don’t believe it but this marque didn’t become a reliable car until the Ford Corporation purchase Jaguar. Just look at the product before and after Ford brought them but they’ve always retained that gorgeous Jaguar styling.
I dunno, Greg. The only Range Rover (out of 8) that I owned that was a lemon was the 2010 with 5.0-liter V8, referred to as the “Ford engine,” with “FoMoCo” stamps all over it. It had the know issue of the timing chain tensioner failure, which indeed did fail at 100k miles. I’ll take any other era Rover other than Ford’s ownership (Land Rover and Jaguar are now one). That same 5.0 V8 is in many Jags – beware!
To tompdx, maybe I’m wrong, but I thought couple of years ago that Tata auto an Indian co. bought Jag from Ford. Yes, No? Anybody?
Yes the Jaguar was purchased from Ford and it was a much better car when Tata purchase it. Most of all those bugs of the earlier XJS were long gone.
I had an XJS convertible(for 10 years) and a coupe at different times. They are truly lovely cars, and I had no major maintenance issues. I really enjoyed the smooth power of the V12. The reality is that these cars have a fairly small, but loyal, following. It took me quite a while to sell mine when I was ready. I traded the coupe on a nice ’69 Corvette. The ‘Vette went up in value, but the Jag kept dropping…. I frequently encounter relatively decent driver-quality XJS models priced well under $10K. I just turned down a barn-find ’87 XJS V12 coupe for $800. The car here looks nice, if that is what you really want, and plan to keep it. If you like to change cars frequently, these are usually not good. They can also be expensive to maintain, especially if you are not capable of maintaining it yourself.
what time zone is the bid closing time?
Mountain Daylight Time
Good luck to all bidding. I am traveling to Indianapolis today for the Harry Miller Club meet. Pulling a 24 foot car trailer. I will try and check my phone on stops if there are any last minute questions.
Love to have one myself, very interested in seeing what it sells for. The instrument panels in Jags reminds me of an airplane.