After seeing our own editor Jamie Palmer take home the gorgeous Lister Jaguar XJS featured on these pages, it’s hard not to stop and stare at other special models coupes like this “Rouge” edition XJS. I suppose it has a lot to do with how much I love basketweave, or BBS-style, wheels on 80s cars, and the XJS always looks particularly handsome on this period-correct design. The Rouge edition is extremely limited production, with just over 200 examples made. Find this 1989 model here on eBay with a starting bid of $3K.
There’s not much information available about the Rouge models, other than it was marketed towards U.S. consumers and only 212 were made. It appears to largely be a cosmetic kit, with the color-matched wheels part of the look. The rest of the body, aside from the “Rouge” badges, is left stock. This example is said to have been sitting for 20 years and will need to be trailered home for transport purposes.
Pictures aren’t great, but what we can see appears to show a straight, undamaged body that’s been parked in a brick enclosure for two decades. The seller says the body has no major flaws and that it will take some work to get the giant V12 to fire up once again. There are few cars more frightening to think about re-waking up than an XJS series Jag, and I’m not sure even the limited production window dressing makes this one worth the effort and cost.
One of the other “Rouge” features is the leather seats with red piping, which are nicely preserved in this photo – and the driver’s side looks pretty good, too. The backseat appears unused, and continues with the cream leather and red piping. With so many broken XJSs for sale at any one time, it can be hard to choose one to start from. However, if I had to have an XJS and couldn’t convince Jamie to sell me his, a limited production model like this would be next on my list.
Waking up this engine is no differant than waking up any other engine fresh oil and filter fresh fuel, new battary, Maybe some tune up parts then hit the key. It will be lumpy to start with but will likely smooth out after running a bit.
You forgot about replacing all the vaccum hoses on the engine.
I did mention tune up parts that would include vacuum hoses.
New fuel pump(NLA) and possibly a tank(NLA). New fuel line kit or there will be a fire. Leaking valve covers and lifter blocks, a slipping balancer, etc…A/C that was a joke, Parts that are no longer available.
I own a Jaguar shop and l see these turds all the time. They were junk when new.
Well it is nice to see that you love and speak higly about brand you are working with.
Sorry Harry,
I drive a X350 XJR, my wife has a XK8 and I’m building a 140 OTS. It’s just XJS that l don’t like working on, it’s hard to turn a profit when stuff breaks faster than you can repair it.
Jeff, I’m afraid my XJS will have to be dragged from my cold dead fingers 🙂. BF success story coming soon! This seems like a pretty decent buy to me…but no 5-speed :-)
@Jamie Palmer – Go ahead, rub it in.
BTW – even though I have recently embarked upon the resurrection of my ultra rare 1968 442 convertible, 4-speed, fact. A/C, I came within a whisker of Duking it out with you for that Jag. My brother ultimately prevailed, and convinced me that a parallel undertaking of such magnitude would be (for me) financial suicide.
You only won, because of the serendipitous confluence of timing, and common sense. The universe likes you.
We all can hardly wait to see you driving your Lister.
Well bought indeed.
Did any of the standard offer XJS cars come with a 5 speed, Jamie? Yours may have one, but I don’t think it was an option. I’ve been wrong before.
Also agree that waking up the engine is no big deal if there are no structural issues. After 20 years, I’d pull the gas tank (no easy task on these cars…I don’t think this late a model had the twin tank that the H-E cars had), blow out the lines and possibly replace the fuel pump. Fresh gas and battery and see what you’ve got. Living in PA and an 89 stored for 20 years means that it had at least 10 years on the road where salt is a way of life. I’d want to see the underside of this babe. If it all checks out, the price for a non-running car may be a little high still. Rare doesn’t necessarily mean desirable. The XJS-C is rare and no one wants them.
Eric, mine’s a Lister conversion — they were available with the 5-speed from a contemporary 7-series BMW. If you search for “Lister” on the Barnfinds.com home page you’ll find the writeup :-) As it turns out, there were some 4-speeds available but only on the continent for early XJSs and some late 6-cylinder (AJ-engined) models had manuals as well, but they are few and far between.
I drove mine to work this morning and had a ball! Agreed with you on the rarity point as well. I happen to like the color-coordinated mesh wheels and contrasting piping, though, so I would enjoy this one (ONE XJS is enough for me at the moment!) and honestly, after my first one being a rescue after 10 years in a forest, you’re right, there’s not that much that can’t be done–but is it worth not buying a nice one to begin with?
Agree about buying a nice one. I only paid $4K for my 90 XJS convertible with 70K miles (BRG with tan top and biscuit interior) and no rust having lived its life in Wake Forest, NC and now in Efland. It’s a blast to drive…had it out yesterday on I-85 doing 80+…smooth as a baby’s tush. Wish it didn’t have so many electrical foibles/pecadillos…aw, hell, issues/problems. :-)
It looks really nice, but why was it parked for 20 years?, not because it needed a good cleaning!
No mention of a 350 transplant?
I own the cousin to this car, a 1991 Jaguar XJS Collection Classic edition. Like Jamie said, these are some of the best v12 sports cars you can get with the money. They would have been better with a 5spd, so I am planning a swap on mine in the near future.
Sumting wonky. The inspection sticker is 07. So it paased a state inspection 11 years ago.
Priced too high for the amount of work it will take.
I just bought my convertible, same issues, not running long sit, good body, for 1500
Jaguars ALWAYS tend to become neglected and cheap–they were purchased by those without the $$$ or drive to maintain them as new as opposed to a Ferrari or such.
you used be be able to buy XK120’s–XKE’s for low thousands, I paid $1250 for my XK120 some years ago! These will become valuable in the future.
I had the twin to this a 1990 Rouge Collection. Merely a cosmetic package. A 5 speed would be a large improvement over the usual TH 400. For such a large car, there is not much interior room. Later versions with a power seat are better.
Jeff pretty much sums up my opinion, but I still might be interested in a later 6 cylinder.
The perfect car for an LS and teans swap
Just a word of warning LUCAS (electrical)…The PRINCE of DARKNESS
“Rouge Edition” Because it’s red?? That’s the craziest marketing scheme I’ve seen.
“What should we call this one, boss?”
“Hmm…how about the ‘Noir Edition” …Because, black”
The XJS has been one of my favorites for years. But the nightmare ownership stories always scared me away. Regardless, I took a chance with a 31k mile 1996 XJS back in 2011. It’s now about to turn 50k miles and has been wonderful car. But according to what I read, that’s because it’s a ’96.