1988 JAGUAR XJ-S V12 CONVERTIBLE - MANUAL

KEY FACTS

• An elegant classic convertible, which has been professionally converted to a manual gearbox along with a few other tasteful upgrades.
• Under the bonnet is the 5.3-litre HE V12, coupled to a five-speed Getrag manual transmission.
• The car spent most of its first 10 years in Nice, though it was put into storage in 1999, before being sold by Christie’s in 2003.
• Its service book has been lost, but it is believed to have been serviced by HR Owen in London for the first 10 years or 15,000 miles, with correspondence available on file alongside a complete collection of maintenance invoices from 2003 onwards.
• While there are three prior keepers displayed on the logbook, the first never collected the car as the build slot was sold on. The fourth registered keeper acquired the car in 2008, and the seller bought the car earlier in 2021, but has not registered it in their name.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• A rare five-speed Getrag manual gearbox from the Jaguar X300 has been transplanted into the car, along with an aluminium flywheel. This work was carried out professionally by Jaguar specialist Racing Green Cars at 17,500 miles.
• It is also equipped with stainless steel front exhaust silencers, plus an exhaust centre box bypass.
• The car rides on 16-inch Lattice wheels.
• Other features include the US-style quad headlight conversion, a new maroon soft top, and Superflex anti-roll bar bushes. Its ECU has been remapped by AJ6 Engineering.
• The car’s original owner’s manual, warranty card and PDI sheet are included, along with various insurance documents, recent maintenance invoices and correspondence from HR Owen in London to confirm its early service history.

CONDITION

• Various lower panels were replaced and resprayed in 2020 to rectify some light rust. The car is now reported to be rust-free with excellent bodywork.
• Its Bordeaux Red paintwork underwent a bare-metal respray around 15 years ago and is now in good condition, with just a few minor blemishes. The vendor has indicated three small stone chips on the leading edge of the bonnet, and one on the edge of the driver’s door. One round mark is visible on top of the nearside rear wing, where a telephone aerial was previously fitted.
• The offside rear wheel has a few kerb scratches, but otherwise the Lattice alloys are in good order.
• Inside, its original Doeskin leather upholstery is in good condition, with some light wear on the outer bolsters.
• There are some minor abrasion marks and slight warping to the door cards.
• A few small chips can be seen on lower sections of the wood veneers.
• The air conditioning was removed by a previous owner as it triggered their asthma, though the elements are included in the sale and can be refitted in around one hour.
• The fuel sender has recently started to misread, though the warning light still comes on when the fuel has nearly run out. The vendor has ordered a spare sender to be included in the sale.
• The most recent MOT test was on 22 February 2021 at 59,500 miles, which was a clean pass with no advisories or defects.

SERVICE HISTORY

• The cam cover gaskets, inlet manifold gaskets, injector seals and steering rack bushes were replaced in February 2021.
• A new nearside front wheel sensor was fitted in June 2020, along with new Michelin tyres in the same year.
• Its most recent service was in March 2020 at 59,000 miles, where technicians at Brantham Auto Centre changed the engine oil and filter.
• In April 2017 at 54,320 miles, the engine oil, filter and brake fluid were changed, before the rear callipers, throttle linkage bushes, spark plugs, front anti-roll bar bushes and offside front wheel sensor were replaced.
• In July 2015 at 52,200 miles, the engine oil and filter were changed, before the front callipers were rebuilt and new thermostats, gaskets and a brake pressure bulb were fitted.
• There are an extensive number of invoices and receipts in the file from 2003 onwards as part of the history. Every bit of maintenance from approximately 15,000 miles to the present mileage has been documented.

SUMMARY

This Jaguar XJ-S V12 Convertible is an elegant modern classic, which has been converted to feature the more involving five-speed Getrag manual gearbox, along with a few other upgrades. It has been very well maintained and would make a great companion for weekend jaunts or longer road trips.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.