Jaguar - XJS Convertible V12 - 1988

GENERAL:
A fantastic and rarely preserved Jaguar XJS Convertible from 1988 is presented, equipped with the legendary 5.3-liter V12 engine. This model in particular marks a historic milestone for the British brand, since 1988 was the first year Jaguar introduced a factory-made, serially produced convertible, a development that left behind the prior special conversions handled by the renowned coachbuilder Hess & Eisenhardt, who were responsible for externally dechroming the coupé variants. The imposing High Efficiency (HE) V12 block stands out for using Fireball-designed cylinder heads by Michael May, which substantially improved fuel efficiency and thermal performance compared to the seventies versions. This unit stands out for sporting the elegant scarlet red body color with official paint code CEH. The vehicle is in an exceptional state of preservation for its years, maintaining the silentblocks and rubber components in perfect condition, completely elastic and not at all dried out, demonstrating impeccable storage and care over time.

BODYWORK AND PAINT:
The body of this classic shows an imposing and timeless stance, wearing the high-resistance chrome front and rear bumpers of the North American market (USA anti-crash model). The whole ensemble is enhanced by various shiny elements, notably the chrome front grille, chrome electrically adjustable mirrors, door handles in the same finish, and chrome-tipped dual exhausts. The vehicle sits on its original aluminum alloy wheels, which are free of dents, and it also includes a spare wheel of regular size equipped with a aluminum rim. In terms of front lighting, it has integrated fog lights and intermittent wiper function. Regarding aesthetic exterior imperfections, there is only a small dent or nearly imperceptible ding on the surface of the hood. The exterior canvas soft top shows a small four-centimeter tear that, although already repaired, remains visually present on the canvas.

MECHANICS:
This model is powered by the refined 5.3-liter V12 engine that delivers power to the rear wheels in a linear, velvety manner. On the onboard instrumentation it is observed that the fuel gauge reads inaccurately, oscillating erratically between the three-quarter and one-quarter marks despite the tank being full or empty. Moreover, the cabin air conditioning system is inoperable due to needing a refrigerant recharge, as it originally uses the old R-12 gas of the era. It can be easily converted to R134a, which is the modern standard for many cars from 1990–2015.

INTERIOR:
The cabin is a true showcase of British luxury craftsmanship, combined with exquisite period-specific personalized details. It presents a noble ivory leather interior that elegantly outfits both the individual seats and the door panels. The front seats are equipped with an integrated heating system, ideal for open-air driving days, while the central section features a comfortable armrest concealing a practical storage space. Standing out at the instrument cluster is an exclusive Italian steering wheel adjustable by E. Nardi, made of aluminum and fine wood, which complements the dashboard trim crafted from tuya root wood in perfect condition. The cabin is completed with courtesy interior lighting and vanity mirrors with built-in illumination in the sun visors. Electric rearview mirrors.

PICKUP:
The collection of this classic vehicle will take place in Maçanet de Cabrenys, a municipality located in the Alto Ampordá comarca in the province of Gerona, within the autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain.