1990 Jaguar XJS Convertible

The XJ-S Convertible was one of few luxury open top GTs still available in the 1990s. Its main competitors were mostly German, making the homegrown Jaguar something of an outlier, until the structurally similar – though far more expensive – Aston Martin DB7 Volante arrived in 1996. With the XJ-S flying the flag in the meantime, the still considerably expensive Jaguar became one of the most luxurious and well-appointed models made in Coventry to that point.

A convertible XJ-S owner had to be well heeled with this car likely setting back its first owner around £34k (over £80k today). Although it was pricey, Jaguar didn’t scrimp on the toys it fitted to this well-kept V12 Convertible with heated and electrically adjustable seats, cruise control, air conditioning and an electric hood merely the headline options. A vast history file, and plenty of evidence of on-going care and recent money spent – including four almost brand-new quality Falken tyres – mean that this Jaguar is ready to be enjoyed right away. With spring now sprung, it’s very nearly topless season!

Although it’s based here in the UK – which means summer 2024 will probably consist of around four afternoons of hot weather – thankfully the Solent Blue bodywork of this XJ-S looks fabulous in almost any light. The fact there’s a nice tight and seemingly undamaged blue soft-top and accompanying black tonneau cover means you’re set, whatever the weather forecast calls for. There’s a good glass rear screen with demist in the hood too.

That huge and imposing front end looks great with minimal stone marks and nice, highly reflective chrome. In fact, trim throughout looks nice, with only a few very small scuffs on the rear bumper (nearside) and the odd light scratch visible. The lovely lattice alloy wheels look to be in superb shape, with very few marks of any kind to blot their scorecard.

Although the bodywork covering this XJ-S is very presentable throughout, there are a few small areas that haven’t fared quite as well. It appears that the nearside rear three quarter panel has been repainted, the paint match to the door isn’t quite perfect (though still good). The same area shows a further slight imperfection to its lower portion, and very slight evidence of corrosion to the rear of the sill. ‘XJ-S’ and ‘V12’ rear badges could also do with a refresh/replacement, though fog lights upfront are complete with their leaping-cat-badged covers.

Magnolia leather certainly isn’t the easiest shade to keep looking its best, but this car’s previous owners, plus the vendor, have seemingly done an excellent job. The hide looks clean and tidy almost everywhere, though we noticed the base of the driver’s seat in particular could benefit from leather care products and the bolster in particular is very tired, with the piping also coming away. Aside from these mild niggles however, the leather covering the cabin of this XJ-S shows very few obvious signs of age.

A Kenwood stereo looks a little modern for a car of this vintage, but that’s easy enough to replace if it bothers you. The leather is only half of an old Jaguar cabin, the wood veneer in this one still looking good. The only clear imperfection we could find was a crack below the gear selector. With that big lazy V12 awakened, the instruments seem to show good oil pressure and battery health, with a retro green digital trip computer in the centre console flicking through its functions as expected.

The headlining is generally in good shape, though but we did spot two small rips in what would be the C pillar area of a hardtop. The leather covering the attractive Jaguar-badged wheel looks in fine order, with only a very minor mark to its top. The boot area also looks clean and tidy, with the floors underneath the carpet seemingly solid too. A battery cut-off switch has been added in here too, for additional security.

It’s always difficult to see anything in a V12 XJ-S engine bay, beyond the usual spaghetti junction of pipework – though this later car is certainly easier to inspect than the early pre-HE version.

Good sound proofing seems to remain on the underside of the bonnet and the engine bay looks generally tidy and dry. The vendor mentioned to us that he took the car to well-known Jaguar specialist KWE, who apparently proclaimed “it was a good one.” We spotted some surface rust and fraying to some hoses here and there, plus a small amount of a light blue overspray on the wing tops (in the bonnet hinge area), but nothing that seemed to cause concern.

Stooping down (very low) to get a look underneath this sleek GT, we noticed what appears to be a solid underside, with just a little corrosion in the front valance, behind the splitter on the nearside. Wheel arches and floors, however, look solid with plenty of factory underseal (or a neatly applied top-up coating) remaining.

The vendor points out that this car’s history, and clear signs of enthusiast ownership, were what drew him to purchase the car last year. Unfortunately, due to ill health, he cannot continue to enjoy the car however, during his brief time with this lovely XJ-S, he added four new Falken tyres – alongside a front-end alignment – in January of this year, with a £551.66 invoice from Imperial Tyres Ltd. Swindon to show for it. 

The previous owner had the rear axle removed for an MoT repair, taking the opportunity to have the axle and floor steam cleaned, as well as having the brakes renewed (including callipers) in November 2022. An invoice for £1152.30 from FM Sportscars, Warrington was the result. 

The car was inspected in 2017 by Classic Engineering, Herts and had its front brakes renewed for £542.54. In 2007, the bodywork was tidied up, with a £400 invoice from Claremont Autobodies, Blackpool showing remedial work to the arches, sills and the nearside front wing. Further back still a new tinted windscreen was fitted in 2003 by Blackpool Safety Glass with an invoice for £211.50 the result.

There are many, many more invoices to peruse at your leisure but, in essence, this history file contains lots of old MoTs going back to 2000, a handwritten annual mileage record from 2000 to 2013 and a stack of old tax discs. These all suggest fastidious former keepers, reinforced by a full owner’s book pack and stamped service history up to 1998.

A good Jaguar XJ-S makes for a rapid and comfortable cruiser with the gearing and performance to make the most of that wonderfully sonorous 5.3-litre V12 engine. This one certainly appears to be one that’s worth snapping up and continuing to maintain in the same fashion as its former keepers, which will no doubt reward its next owner with many sunny miles of making magnificent motoring memories. We estimate that it will sell for £11,000-£14,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.