Curious about the top on this 198- XJS

 

That is the XJ-SC or XJS Cabriolet. It was a T-top with a removable rear section, but not a full convertible. I think it was available from 1983 thru 1987 or 88 until the factory convertible was available. It was first only available with the AJ6 engine but later could be had with the V12. IIRC, the V12 eventually outsold the 6s.

 

Mac Allen has it right. That is a Cabriolet model.

At the time Jaguar could not afford to build a strengthen convertible body so they did the best they could with converting a coupe. They had to leave the roof structure in place so the body would not be weakened and allowed to twist.

In 1986 Jaguar hired Hess & Eisenhardt to create convertibles from modified coupes. This lasted until 1988. At that point Jaguar began to produce convertibles on its own production line in England. These would be introduced as 1989 models.

The Jaguar convertibles are engineered differently from the Hess & Eisenhardt so almost none of the parts are interchangeable. The H&E cars look very nice because the top sits lower within the body giving a more pleasant look. The downside is that almost no replacement parts are available.


Mark

 

Thank You all. I understand now why there are not many around.

 

It looks like this one has the "hardtop" rear section in place of the folding rear roof section. I saw one for sale in January on the LA CL. I was initially excited because I thought it would replace the entire soft top on my '89 convertible. Does anyone know if a hardtop was available for the factory convertible?

 

Er....no. The cab. has nothing in common with a full convertible. The only hard top I've seen was from Arden in Germany and you had to take the soft top off.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...op-xjs-112518/

 

On the cabrio this was a factory option, and could be swapped in place of the soft back part pretty easily by the owner. I believe the idea being it would be a good winter thing. The soft back part being for the summer and more easily removable in good weather.
Greg

 

Interesting thread. I think my next XJS would have to be either a Cabriolet or Convertible.

Speaking of soft tops and the like I come across this I though might bring some interest:

1979 JAGUAR XJS V12 MANUAL COUPE





Has to be an after market modification yes?

Personally I like the look EXCEPT for making the buttresses black. But thats just me.



(Love the XJS in Cotswold yellow by the way. I think that colour only was available in 1980 or at least around that time. Can anybody verify?)

 

I like that.

 

WOW..the '70s I once had a vinyl roof fitted to my Transit van. good times

 

Vinyl roof?

The UK?

Tin worm says, "yes!"