Automotive history is littered with compromises, and the 1988 Jaguar XJ-SC perfectly demonstrates this. The company was keen to regain some ground lost due to the demise of the E-Type Roadster. However, there were rumors that US legislators were about to introduce new safety rules that would spell the end for the traditional convertible. The XJ-SC introduced a compromise, but it was one that found few friends. Finding one for sale today is a rarity, which makes this 1988 example an interesting discovery. It runs and drives, but it does need some restoration work if it is to be returned to its former glory. Located in Atlantic City, New Jersey, you will find the Jag listed for sale here on eBay. The No Reserve auction has been set to open at $4,999, but there have been no bids.

This photo best demonstrates the feature that makes this Jaguar unusual. The company was desperate to produce a convertible for the US market but didn’t want to go to the considerable expense of developing a model at risk of being outlawed shortly after its release. The compromise was to produce a Targa-roof version of the XJ-S. This was not the sales success that Jaguar had hoped for, and the build totals were pretty abysmal. This one is finished in Silver Birch with a Blue top. The paint is showing its age, and a repaint is going to be on the cards. The panels are relatively straight, with only a few minor marks and blemishes. The owner makes mention of surface corrosion but says nothing about penetrating rust. It is a possibility that has to be seriously considered because Jaguar steel from this era could be prone to problems. I have to admit that I have some concerns on this front because there are signs that the XJ has been sitting somewhere pretty damp. There is noticeable corrosion and oxidization in the engine bay, and there are some heavier bubbles around the hood frame. It also appears that some bubbles are appearing in the lower front fenders, which means that this is a classic that deserves a closer inspection. On the plus side of the equation, it seems that all of the trim is present, and it all seems to be in a fit state to be restored.

The XJ-S was designed to be less of an outright sports car and more as a genuine Grand Tourer. That meant that interior features, appointments, and finish, were all a rung above your average sports car. This equated to lashings of leather upholstery, real timber veneer trims, and comfort and convenience features like air conditioning, cruise control, and power windows. The down-side was that interior trim could deteriorate quite markedly. That has been the case here because the interior is looking tired. Before I spent any money, I would treat the interior to a deep clean. Interior trim and upholstery can be relatively expensive, so I’d be checking everything before I spent a red cent on parts. The interior also reveals one of the most notable differences between a regular XJ-S and the XJ-SC. The standard model was designed as a 2+2, but the SC deleted the rear seat space and substituted a pair of lidded storage enclosures and a luggage shelf with a forward rail. This was partly out of necessity, as the removable roof panels consumed precious luggage space, so a compromise was required once again.

The Jaguar is powered by a fuel-injected 5.3-liter V12 engine. This V12 is backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission. Performance figures were respectable for a 1988 Grand Tourer. The ¼ mile could be completed in 16.2 seconds, while the XJ-SC could wind its way to 149mph. I can remember a motoring journalist once referring to the V12 engine as being “insanely complicated.” When you look at the incredible collection of hoses, pipes, and wires visible, you can see how he came to that conclusion. As mentioned earlier, there is a fair amount of oxidization visible around the engine bay, which has to be a long-term concern. In the short-term, the Jag is said to run and drive well, with the transmission shifting smoothly and no signs of any problems or issues. The owner also claims that the Jag has a genuine 40,000 miles on the clock, but he doesn’t indicate whether he holds evidence to verify this claim.

Sometimes a compromise can be a great thing, while at other times, it simply doesn’t work. The Jaguar XJ-SC seems to prove the latter to be true because, during a 7-year production run, the company only managed to sell 5,013 examples. The 1988 model year, which our feature car comes from, was the most painful for Jaguar. Only 70 buyers felt motivated enough to hand over their cash, which spelled the end of the line for the XJ-SC. That makes this car a relative rarity, but is that enough to make you want to park this classic in your garage?