In 1975, Jaguar introduced its grand touring luxury car, the XJS. Against all odds, the model was successfully managed through more than twenty years of production. Its rough start began in the engine bay, where the decision to give it only one motor option – Jaguar’s thirsty V12 – proved to be a poor strategy, given a raging fuel crisis at the time. The styling was also controversial, with its flying buttress roofline. Too, the car was offered only in a coupe body style, cheating convertible lovers. Only about 14,800 XJS cars were sold up until 1981. That year marked the advent of the HE (high-efficiency) engine, with better fuel economy and a bump in horsepower. In 1983, a six-cylinder option was offered, and, to address the clamoring for a convertible, Jag created a cabriolet called the XJ-SC. The SC was not a true convertible, having two removable roof panels that left behind a Targa-like top. Here on craigslist is one of these rare cabriolets, a 1988 Jaguar XJ-SC, with an asking price of $12,500. This car is located in Detroit, Michigan. T.J. gets our thanks for this feline find. Let’s remember that rarity is not always equivalent to desirability: the cabriolet was Jaguar’s way of testing the waters for a true convertible, which once it arrived, cannibalized XJ-SC sales. The cabriolet sold just over 5,000 copies from 1983 through 1988.
Anyone with a passing familiarity with Jaguar cars knows that they are complicated. While the 5.3-liter V12 engine came out of the factory inherently stout, exquisite maintenance is the only route to preventing problems. Timing chains must be replaced on a regular schedule. Head gaskets should be changed every 50,000 miles or so; this car has 49,483 miles, so it’s due. The twin wishbones in the suspension have inner bushings that wear out at? Yes! Fifty thousand miles. And then there is the cooling system. Please don’t let an XJS owner tell you he never has problems with his cooling system; it’s best to not even ask: just to plan on a complete overhaul. Here is that routine. Do not skip a single step. These cars are also famous for electrical glitches, and rust.
Regarding rust. Pre-1991 cars were not galvanized at the factory. Here, the paint is fading, the bumper is fading, and the tail light lenses are starting to cloud. I’m willing to bet a hundred bucks there’s rust somewhere: rear wheel arches, sill seams, door bottoms … it’s in there somewhere.
The interior is decent as far as we can tell from this photo. But the headliner where the top meets the cowl doesn’t look so hot. Overall, though the price seems like a bargain for the glamour of a Jaguar, it’s best to approach this cat warily – she just might bite you.
God was asked what his favorite car was, he answered my Jaguar XKS, but even I couldn’t keep it running.
At least the transmission should be a trouble free item. I believe its a GM sourced 3sp. Hydra-matic 400.
As a long-time Jaguar enthusiast and owner of handful of V12s and a current ‘76 V12, your comments about the head gaskets and timing chains are completely incorrect.
Many V12s go 200,000 miles and still do not need work. The engine is a very under-stressed motor.
The comments and worry about keep them cool is correct and the link to the article about many incorrect thermostats on the market is as well. Must boil and measure the movement of the thermostat prior to use.
The head gasket and timing chain you talk about are bull#hit
I have owned only Jaguars for decades. Several XJSs among them. They are shockenly robust cars. Did you know, when they designed the V12 it was so high tech and high compression 12.5 to 1 that they had the injection system designed buy the current F1 makers .
So all the little doid packs, and little electrics that made the whole thing work. That were very new tech at the time. Are now 50 years old. So the fact that there are so many still driving aroind. Having suffered from complete lack of any maintenance now they can be bought for $5k is a freaking miracle.
All true. I saw the engine photo and my saliva glands activated immediately. Loved working on my V12 Jags and miss them – especially my Ser 3 E-type! The old tech you mention includes the OPUS ignition. That, then state-of-the-art, tech is easily remedied with a $120 optical retrofit, making them extremely reliable.
I met an old hot rodder that got into Jags he took a series 1 xj6 welded up the rear door, turned into a coupe, chopped and channeled the roofline 3+ inches, lowered the crap out car. No bumpers, door handles, big fat low profile tires. And mounted a V12 with Webers IDFs had a nice hole in the bonnet. With 12 velocity stacks sticking through. Made for a very sinister looking thing.
Overheat causes from air restricted in the cooler. In there is
a ‘bypass’ to bleed the cooler. Then the rest. This are reliable
engines i had 3 XJ-6 4.2. Just oil changes they always run.
I drove a series 1 xj6 for 30 years as my everyday car. Put a tow hitch on it and towed my Barchetta3500 all over the west coast.
It had 477K miles on it when I sold it. And still would fire up in less than 1 rev. Only rebuilt the motor once. Epic car
Not sure where you’re getting your facts from, Michelle, but timing chains and head gaskets are NOT a problem on these. The biggest problem is owner’s lack of maintenance…period! I’ve owned a number of these XJ-S’s over the years, and once the maintenance has been caught up, they are reliable and a blast to drive. One of the most overlooked items is spark plug gap which is critical at .025″. As the plugs wear and the gap gets bigger, it overheats the 2-step distributor rotor melting off the top half and leaving you with a 6 cylinder engine…running rough, but running. The remaining non-firing cylinders are still getting fuel, so the cat converters overheat and an engine compartment fire occurs. I could go on and on, and would be happy to discuss anything concerning XJ-S Jags.
Unless you like rust, avoid purchasing a classic from any state that is north of Tennessee and also east of Montana.
This is an awful writeup of what appears to be a very nice car.
When I moved to Roanoke,I used to drive down some of
the side streets,to see where they went.I turned down one,and
noticed about three XJS’s parked in a driveway.Next door were
a few more,& a few more doors down,there were two more in a
carport.They all belong to the same guy.
I always enjoy seeing interesting cars/trucks along the street,
but sadly,they’re slowly going away.
I think these have aged really well,especially the hardtops.