The accumulated dust tells part of the story. This 1984 Jaguar XJ-S is a genuine barn find that recently emerged from fifteen years in storage. It doesn’t run or drive, but life in a favorable climate has protected it from the rust issues that often plague these classics. The seller purchased the car at an estate sale, but with too many projects on their plate, they have decided the Jag needs a new home. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Steve H. for spotting the XJ-S listed here on eBay in Buellton, California. It has received a solitary bid of $200, and with the seller following the No Reserve path, this British classic is guaranteed to change hands in a few days.
Conceived as a replacement for the venerable E-Type, Jaguar commenced initial development of the XJ-S in the late 1960s. These were tumultuous times, especially since the company formed part of the backbone of the strife-torn British Leyland behemoth in 1968. Design delays were inevitable as the company grappled with financial issues, industrial unrest, and galloping inflation. The delays meant that the first XJ-S didn’t leave the Coventry line until late 1975. The issues previously mentioned forced an extraordinarily long production life, with cars still available in showrooms over five years after Ford assumed control of Jaguar in 1991. This 1984 example recently emerged from a barn when its enthusiast owner passed away. Finished in Tudor White, the seller believes its paint is original. That suggests it is an unrestored survivor, and although it has a few cosmetic shortcomings, it remains quite presentable. However, the most crucial news lies beneath the surface, as this baby is rust-free. Tinworm could be a problem, but the winning bidder can leave the grinder and welder safely tucked away in this case. I honestly believe that since the trim and glass also look nice, detailing and polishing the Jag might be all that is required if the buyer wishes to slip behind the wheel of a genuine British survivor.
Jaguar focused heavily on luxury when designing the XJ-S. Therefore, it is unsurprising that many cows and trees laid down their lives to deliver a sumptuous interior. The fact that this Jag still presents so nicely suggests it has been sheltered from moisture and UV exposure. The leather shows age wrinkles that add character, but there’s no evidence of significant wear or deterioration. The carpet is in good condition, and I can’t spot any issues with the timber trim. The dash looks excellent, and I believe that the entire interior would present extremely well following a deep clean and application of a leather conditioner. I can’t spot any additions or modifications, with the car still housing its factory four-speaker AM/FM radio/cassette player. Add the standard air conditioning and power windows to the equation, and life aboard this XJ-S will be extremely comfortable.
I have seen experienced mechanics whimper when they’ve tilted the hood forward because the XJ-S engine bay is a pretty complicated environment. Beneath seemingly miles of hoses, tubes, and pipes, hides the company’s 5.3-liter V12. It produced 263hp and 290 ft/lbs of torque from the factory, with the ponies fed to the independent rear end via a three-speed automatic transmission. Standard fare included power steering and power four-wheel disc brakes, further emphasizing the car’s luxury leanings. The seller confirms that this classic doesn’t run or drive, and suspects it last did so approximately fifteen years ago. However, the car rolls and steers, and the engine turns freely. Only an in-person inspection will reveal how difficult the revival will be. Still, it is worth noting that bolting a Chevrolet small-block under the hood is a common practice, which might make ongoing maintenance and sourcing parts easier if the buyer isn’t focused on authenticity. It won’t appeal to everyone, but it is food for thought.
The Jaguar XJ-S was a victim of timing. The development process took longer than anticipated, and the car hit the market at a time when British Leyland was experiencing industrial issues that impacted production totals and build quality. Originally envisaged to remain on sale for under ten years, the production cycle extended to almost twenty-one years. Rust claimed many of these cars, but this 1984 example is a survivor that has avoided that fate. It may have only attracted a single bid, but the listing statistics suggest that could change. Even so, there is a good chance that it might be an affordable project candidate, but are you brave enough to revive an extremely complicated British classic?
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