While the Jaguar XJ-S is instantly recognized as one of the world’s great Grand Tourers, few people remember that the cars also tasted significant success in motorsport. Bob Tullius steered one to victory in the 1977 Trans Am series, while Tom Walkinshaw repeated the feat in the highly competitive 1984 European Touring Car Championship. The XJ-S was also one of a limited number of models that didn’t wear a Ford or Holden badge that tasted success in Australia’s Bathurst 1000 when John Goss and Armin Hahne steered one to victory in 1985. Therefore, while the Gulf paint scheme that this 1988 XJ-S might initially seem out of place, it graces the panels of a model that has earned its stripes in the heat of competition. This particular car isn’t just a Jag with a fancy paint scheme because it has received an engine upgrade that should endow it with the performance to match its looks. The owner has decided to sell the car located in Bushnell, Florida, with the finish line in sight, so he has listed it for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds or here on eBay.
When creating the beast that you see before you, the owner commenced the process from a sound foundation. This XJ-S is an entirely rust-free example, which means there are no repairs for the buyer to consider. It is a two-owner vehicle, and both kept the car stored away in a garage when not in use to help its cause on that front. The color scheme that the car wears is not a wrap, with the owner going the whole hog to repaint the car in one of the most iconic schemes to grace the panels of any competition vehicle. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and the overall result of his handiwork appears quite stunning. The trim and chrome are in excellent order, as is the glass. The wheels that the car rolls on have been color-matched to the paint scheme, but the owner includes a set of beautiful and rare TWR aluminum wheels if these are more to the buyer’s taste.
When it was shiny and new, the engine bay of this XJ-S housed a 5.3-liter V12 that produced 262hp. Fed through a 3-speed automatic transmission, it gave the Jag the ability to cover the ¼ mile in 16.2 seconds. Sadly, in one sense, the original V12 suffered a major failure, so the owner chose something interesting to fill the void. What you are looking at is a 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine that started life in a 1995 Jaguar XJ-R. This supercharged monster should be capable of producing 315hp, which finds its way to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission. This upgrade offers an intriguing scenario for the next owner. In its original home, this engine could propel the 4,133lb XJ-R through the ¼ mile in 14.1 seconds. The XJ-S tips the scales some 100lbs less, which means that a sub-14-second pass could be within reach. The owner says that the engine is bolted into place, and many of the ancillaries have been fitted correctly. The buyer will have a few tasks to complete, but the owner believes that addressing these jobs shouldn’t take more than a few days. The Jag will then be ready to hit the road with a fresh lease on life.
The owner decided to continue the racing theme when he turned his attention to the Jaguar’s interior. He stripped away all of the trim and carpet, and the interior is now finished in hand-riveted brushed aluminum. It creates a distinctive appearance, and it is not an interior that will be prone to long-term deterioration. He has retained most of the dash and the XJ-S gauge cluster, although he also holds the XJ-R cluster for the potential buyer to install. He intended fitting leather or carpet on any non-aluminum surfaces, but this hasn’t eventuated. That leaves the buyer an opportunity to place their mark on the interior with the material of their choice. The changes mean that this interior is more hard-edged than a Grand Tourer, but power windows add a touch of luxury.
I have a soft spot for European classics like the Jaguar XJ-S, and my preference is for unmolested ones. However, I am willing to change my stance with this car because the upgrades performed by the owner offer a possibility of stunning performance. It is an intriguing car that should turn heads at a Cars & Coffee, but it would turn even more when the driver buries the right foot. I hope the new owner is willing to keep us informed of progress on this build because I’d love to know the outcome.
This guy’s blog is even more interesting than the car.
Who scraps a car for HVAC issues??
If the compressor blew there would be metal everywhere in the system. Requires you to pull the dash and that takes a lot of shop hours.
Had a friend with a lovely XJ6 that had that happen. The estimate on the repair was more than the car was worth. Sold the car and moved on.
When I read “AC just needs a recharge” I walk away
Yeah, I agree with you, but why not just put the windows down and drive it without A/C? I doesn’t make sense to me to salvage a vehicle for that.
There are Two large bolts in the engine compartment to remove the under dash HVAC unit. Yes unplug some wires and hoses. But that was a short evenings work. ( it’s heavy though).
Oh man, he was told that replacing the hoses required the dash out.
If the car needs “so little to complete”, why doesn’t the seller complete it? He could get a lot more for the car. There’s more (or less) here than meets the eye.
“Someone else’s project” is always a caution sign. A project that is being punted when it is “close” or “almost” complete is a flashing caution sign.
Cool idea. I too like the European vintage performance cars and this has potential. Something is telling me that this is something I’d want to start and finish myself, not pick up after someone else.
Is the duck included?
This is a terrible conversion, would have been much better off with a conversion from ‘Broken Kitty’ where you put a Chevy powertrain in. This thing is just a recipe for endless and unsolvable problems. Not to even mention who wants a giant “69” on the side of their car, I mean really………
Who replaces a Jaguar engine with another Jaguar engine and then pretends it’s a race car? Just wondering…
That Supercharged 6 cylinder makes more horsepower than the V12 and is hundreds of pounds lighter. Thus greater performance. Easier to work on.
The paint, interior, and streetcar into a racecar aren’t my style. A Jag six, manual XJS is. The few that were from the factory that way are a heck of a lot of fun to drive. Then add a supercharger. That is a nice combo.
A friend once told me that,when choosing a
number for your race car to “Choose one that
reads the same upside-down,so if you flip the
car over,they can still tell which number it is”.
Oldogfortz is highly aware. The builder of this Beast has a cat named Cashew. If you’re aware and discover his identity ask him to share his exercise known as “The Duelly”. He had a lovely, stately Mark X that was pivotal in the preparation of some serious peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. There might also have been pickles involved. I couldn’t hold a candle to his mechanical ability, nor his creativity. Wish his Lady and he would take me up on the offer to tour NH and use my XJS, lowly as it might be compared to some of his auto-themed conveyances.
Clown Car
Heavy. Slow. Troublesome. Not appealing or good looking.
You must know my ex. Exactly how she described me.
🤣
A world of misery awaits the new owner. These things are so unreliable when new, hooked up some “Ancillaries”, very little left to do. Oy vey, expect the worst. Dont forget, Lucas electrical system, King of darkness.
Cheers
GPC
Always those strange and unhelpful comments by people who do not understand how to work on cars. Classic Jags are great and very rewarding both to drive and to work on. don’t make snide comments about things you don’t understand.
I saw someone say “who would do this to a car” and the answer is obvious, the guy who places a giant 69 all over it. Probably never even came close to the actual act, so childish for grown folks to do that. Who is he kidding. And no prude here just subtler ways to be a creep.
And when you snap pix, pull the wooden wheel chock. I dont think anyone doesnt know why it’s there so just spell it out in your list of reasons the car is for sale, ie doesnt stop.
Two issues I see here – the horrendously tacky aesthetics, raised white lettering on colour matched stock wheels?! …gulf wanna be that was done by a 12yo without actually looking at gulf colours or design.
And mechanics. The XJR engine is a great choice, lighter, more powerful, more reliable, version of actually came in an xjs.
But getting the late engine to work in an early car, with a five speed, will be a nightmare without a lot of programming or a stand alone fi system….
For the right price and a repaint it could be an interesting project, but the dreamer level thus displayed suggests that is unlikely.