1989 Jaguar XJ-S V12 Convertible
Registration no. F493 OPC
Chassis no. SAJJNADW3DB157017

Conceived as a comfortable and long-legged Grande Routière, rather than an out-and-out sports car like the preceding E-Type, the XJ-S made use of the Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 saloon platform and running gear. Shorter in the wheelbase than its saloon siblings, the XJ-S debuted as a V12-powered coupé, with six-cylinder and soft-top versions following in the 1980s. The car's 150mph performance was not achieved without penalty however, its prodigious thirst causing sales to nosedive as oil prices soared. However, the arrival of the HE (High Efficiency) V12 in 1981 and the introduction of the smaller six enabled it to weather the storm. The introduction of the six-cylinder model in 1983 coincided with that of the Targa-style cabriolet - the first open Jaguar since the E-Type's discontinuation - but it was not until 1988 that a full convertible became available.
Jaguar's first response to demands for an open-top XJ-S was somewhat conservative in engineering terms. The car had not been designed with an open version in mind, so a Targa-style arrangement was adopted for the XJ-S Cabriolet, which retained a substantial roll hoop in the interests of maintaining rigidity in the absence of a fixed roof. Following the Cabriolet's deletion, both the Coupé and conventional Convertible models lasted until the end of XJ-S production in 1996.
This automatic transmission XJ-S V12 Convertible has had only three private owners, the first being around-the-world yachtsman Serge Paris, and while in his ownership was maintained by Jason Mann, who previously worked for H A Fox Jaguar in Guildford. Mr Paris spent many years away at sea, which explains this car's relatively low mileage (see signed letter of confirmation on file).
The immediately preceding (second) owner, a Jaguar collector, purchased the XJ-S at Bonhams' Beaulieu Sale in September 2014 (Lot 428) and used the car sparingly, covering fewer than 1,000 miles while keeping the it correctly stored and well maintained. After purchase in 2014 car was sent to CMC Ltd for a check-over (see bill for £6,000 on file) while more recently the car has been looked after by Jaguar Classic in Coventry. Dated 2019, there are bills on file totalling £9,000 for new door seals, servicing, MoT, minor repairs, etc.
Finished in Solent Blue with cream interior, this little used and well cared-for XJ-S convertible is offered with its original handbook, original service book, and a V5C document.