Roger sent in a tip on this gem listed here on Craigslist in Shillington, Pennsylvania. It is a 1988 Jaguar XJS with a V12 engine and automatic transmission. I always admired these cars when I was a kid and it seemed that most doctors drove these cars or a Mercedes 450SL. As you can see from the picture above, the car is sitting on flat tires and looks like it has not moved in quite some time. The seller’s asking price is $2,500 and he suggests bringing a tow truck since the car is not running.
This interior shows wear on the seats and console but no obvious rips or cracks in the dash. I am sure that restoring one of the cars gets expensive. A popular trend at one time was to replace the Jaguar drivetrain with a Chevrolet engine and transmission. I bracket raced a Jaguar XJS with a Chevrolet engine at our local dragstrip one time. After the race, I pulled off to circle back and the Jaguar went all the way to the end of the pavement and the engine caught fire. Fortunately, the firemen were able to limit the damage to the car. These cars were not known for their reliability.
The seller states that this was his Dad’s car and has been sitting for 20 years. There are 54,284 miles shown on the odometer. The Jaguar XJS was produced from 1975-1996 and was available in coupe or convertible body styles. This is considered a Series II car and the V12 engine produced 263 horsepower. Jaguar produced over 73,000 XJS Series II cars from 1981-1991. Total production from 1981-1996 was over 115,000 units.
This uniquely designed car is recognizable from almost any angle. It is sometimes cursed by its owners but this might be your chance to join the crowd. As a world-class grand touring car, it was the longest-running model for Jaguar. The price seems right but what would you do with it – restore it or get it mechanically running and drive it as is?
There’s a guy here in Roanoke (VA) that has 6+ of these.
Some,in decent,driveable condition,are for sell for not much more
money.
Remember – there’s nothing more expensive then a cheap Jag.
When these are running well, they are fun to take out on an open road and let fly. I know of one of these with a Dodge Viper engine.
I know a guy who has one with the 6 cylinder. It won,t start either . I looked at it and we tried to get it to start. Relays all over the place-front–back–in between. I told him if it was mine. I,d start and re-do all the wiring and do away with the jaguar way. I,ve read a good bit on these cars and they all seem to have the same problem–wiring. That 6 is a long engine. I,d like to see a 12 . I,d start wiring it from the switch and put me a fuse junction box and have everything wired up to it and to each certain thing like–lights–horn -whatever . Theirs not much room to trace the wires down on the jags. W ho–I might be one of the dummys who joins THE CUSSING JAGUAR CROWD. HAHAAHA That is why you see they sale cheap. If Jaguar could wire it up stupid . With all the relays and fuses—I know I could wire it up more simple to understand and see where everything WAS and NOT hidden.
I worked on a couple of these back in the 90’s. There is no such thing as a cheap Jag!
If you will look around at private salers and not dealers—you can. I know of one. .A 95. other then it won,t start and need the clear paint re-done. What would you pay for it? Jagura has lost out since they started with the wireing problems and alot have turned their backs on the. Yes you are right when you said you worked on a couple. I ,ll also bet you didn,t get near the pay.The dealership charged. They are a pain to TRY and run wires down.
Worked on these 80-82 at a dealership,then independent shop till 90. V12 service valve adjust was 22 hrs. Heater core,20 hrs, leaving only pedals and windshield in the cockpit when you reached the core assembly. You get the idea?? Wiring was always clock time. 26 relays, most well hidden. Grey market cars at least had some balls.
Well I guess I LUCK OUT–Only 1 and as I told my friend. If it was mine–I,d make it a winter job of re-wire it. I put my own juction box—make everything and do away with the HIDDEN THINGS. Its not only Jaguar—about any make of automobile since about the 50.s it started. The auto makers WANT to make it so you HAVE to take it to the dealer and they make more money off of you. I they made them easy to work on before–they could do it now and NOW is when people with their time and learn to teach themself–do learn something–INSTEAD OF ACTING LIKE THEY DON,T KNOW HOW. Everyone can teach themself—.Then when they try it and see it works–they will start seeing they can fix their own car–except those who don,t want to get their hands dirty–then they can have the little shade tree mechanic fix it without these electronic gadgets. All these fancy words for relays–is con words that has been fooling the public. A juction box—with a relay –wired to it–all marked –where they go–is alot easier to run down then these HIDDEN PLACES –AND SAVES ALOT OF TIME
I had a 1990 XJS. Lots of fun to drive untill a tree fell on the garage which fell on the Jag. Everyone should own a 12 cylinder car once in their life. (for a very short time)
I know the 6 cylinder is a long motor. I,d like to see a 12 cylinder. I,ll bet a person could have some fun with one of them. What kind of gas mileage did they get? Parts price? I started to buy a new one when Ford bought them out. Then I read who Ford donated to and I said forget it. I,m not supporting that cause and never bought the Jag. I know where their is one–6 cylinder–does run. Electrical issue,but I change that with my own wiring. I know I could get it if I wanted it,but damn–I have alot already on my plate. hahaha
How fast was the 12 cylinder?
When I worked for the local Infiniti dealer in 1992, there was a guy with considerable financial re$ources who used to hang around the dealership. Along with a new Infiniti or two, he had one of these with a Chevy 454 stuffed in it, complete with a tunnel ram intake, dual carbs and a big blower sticking out of the hood, painted bright red. I *almost* got to drive it once…
You mean FLY it. hahaha That sounds about like a cousin. He went and bought Harley off a guy in Pa. I went up to his garage and was looking at it. Had nice painted American graphics on it. Then I saw 2 silver tubes on each side of the rear, I thought them were some kind of SHOCKS. I asked him about them and he said they weren,t shocks,. They were NITROUS TUBES and I looked at him and told him he got cheated. He asked me how? I said :Hell boy,you never bought a motor cycle, You bought a airplane WITHOUT WINGS. His dad busted out laughing. That is one earth shattering bike.
Looks solid. I would not even waste time on the engine. LS crate swap and Robert’s your mother’s brother.
I’ve had two of these. One V-12 coupe and one I-6 ragtop. Both great cars. I had very little trouble with either car. The XJ-S is the most underrated car in America. Big, Heavy, Fast, Nimble. When I bought the first one, I took it to Al DeLong in San Jose, the best Jag man alive. When I asked him about a Chevy conversion, he said, “if you want a Camero, buy a d— Camero.”