1986 Jaguar XJ-SC

This vibrant looking XJ-SC is, indeed, one of those original 78 with today’s cohort inevitably being considerably smaller than that. This Jaguar was supplied new in February 1986 by dealer Exeter Garages Limited. With a purchase price of around £21,500 at that time the 3.6-litre AJ6 equipped iteration offered a useful saving of around £4,500 over the V12 automatic equivalent.

Current owner, Laurence, acquired the XJ-SC in February 2014 to become the Jaguar’s eighth registered keeper. At that time the XJ-SC had covered around 85,000 miles. On the day of our shoot the odometer was standing at an indicated 92,825 miles underscoring its light use in the last 10 years or so. Laurence reports a respray around 8 or 9 years ago which definitely reflects in the car’s condition today. This very rare Jaguar now offers an exciting and fleeting ownership opportunity for enthusiasts in the know.

For some, the original XJS’s design was difficult to immediately take to. Whist some loved the car’s flying buttress style C pillar treatment others were less convinced. For those in the latter camp, the XJ-SC offered some good news – no buttresses. Instead a black vinyl landau style hood is featured ahead of the sizeable rear deck. Another interesting feature of this model is the body coloured, hard shelled removable roof panels. The norm for the SC are black fabric finished panels to match the rear hood. Other differentiating features of this Jaguar are the US style quad headlamp arrangement to replace the original Cibie elliptical units, and a chromed “leaper” bonnet emblem.

This XJ-SC is presented in bright Signal Red (CDJ) paintwork with a full length double coachline, and it suits the car admirably. That earlier respray has kept a fade prone shade bright, lustrous and generally well presented making for an eye-catching example of the breed. There are some areas of imperfection, inevitably, with some minor bubbling in places and a modicum of hazing to some chromed surfaces.

The car sits on a set of original refurbished GKN “starfish” light alloy wheels in a 6.5J, 15-inch configuration. These are in an excellent, possibly refurbished condition and finished in bright silver. The alloys are shod with a matching set of radials in the correct 225/60 configuration.

Jaguar had always been masters of the “special occasion” cabin and the XJS was certainly no exception. Our example is trimmed in luxurious Savile Grey (LDY) coloured leather and generous accents of burr walnut veneer. It’s a fine blend which has aged very well and presents in an excellent, overall condition.

The leather extends to the heavily bolstered sports seats, door cards, centre console and sections of the dashboard. The seats are stitched into horizontal, padded box pleats for additional comfort and support. The condition of these is excellent with even the normally vulnerable driver’s seat bolster appearing in fine shape. 

The dashboard is beautifully finished in burr walnut veneer which extends into the centre console and wraps around and into the door cards. The now familiar Smiths Industries gauge set draws the eye, especially with the four aircraft style, barrel gauges monitoring levels and pressures. These sit in a hooded binnacle behind a two spoke leather Jaguar steering wheel with a non-matching wooden rim. 

Behind the seats is a useful, carpeted luggage shelf with a sensibly shaped, lockable valuables cubbies set into it. The boot is surprisingly commodious too. It is finished in its original, mid-tan carpet set. A full sized spare wheel and tyre are secured to the rear bulkhead. The original tool case and jack are also present. 

As mentioned, this XJ-SC features the impressive AJ6, straight six engine of a 3590cc capacity. The AJ6 is a DOHC, 24 valve unit fitted with a Lucas manufactured version of the Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection system. The original quoted output was 225bhp and 240 Ib-ft of torque. The AJ6 is mated to a five speed ZF manual transmission which feeds power and torque to the rear wheels. This combination is ideal for optimum, drama free cruising with some impressive urge on tap when needed. This XJ-SC is reported to drive very nicely with no known mechanical issues reported.

The AJ6 is free from engine covers and cowls and can be seen in all its busy looking glory. The engine bay appears very original and the inner panels and clean, straight and free from corrosion. The original data plates and stickers are present and correct. The underside of the Jaguar exhibits some signs of earlier repairs but is ostensibly clean and well presented.

There is an instructive amount of accompanying paperwork with this XJ-SC. This includes the V5 Registration Document in the name of the owner. The current MoT is present in hard copy and is valid until August 2026. The original book pack is present and includes the service booklet. This contains nine stamps from supplying dealers Exeter Garage covering mileages from 1,111 to 55,727. A further three, non-stamped entries are noted, the last of which being at 75,936 miles in 1999. Some other paperwork from a sale in 1989 is also on hand.

Whilst the XJ-SC was demonstrably an interim solution until the full convertible was fully developed, it is also the rarest car of the range. Of over 115,000 XJ-S / XJS produced only 5,013 were XJ-SC models. The scarcest of the already scarce is the 3.6-litre AJ6 model with the ZF manual gearbox. Just 1,072 of these were produced for all worldwide markets with a tiny 78 produced in UK specification. As such this iteration is one of the rarest of all production Jaguars and hence deeply desirable and collectable.

Unsurprisingly, then, this example offers a truly enticing ownership opportunity. It presents well, courtesy of an earlier full respray, and features some interesting and unusual features to boot. It is hard to think of an equally rare mid 1980’s convertible GT car that can likely be acquired at such an attainable purchase price. With so few originally made in this specification, it could be a very long time before another comes to market. Be sure not to miss out.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £8,000 - £12,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.