Hi,

I'm new to the world of Jaguar so any advice that you could give me would be appreciated.

I'm looking at buying a 1988 Hess Eisenhardt XJS convertible. I know that this is an American modified car and not a "true" Jaguar convertible, and that it has the two fuel tanks that sometimes have problems. I'm not worried too much about that.

What I'm wondering is what problem areas should I be looking for when I go check out the car? I don't have much history on the car. I know that it's supposedly rust free, has about 70,000 miles on it, has some leather damage, and has been stored for the past 8-9 years. It's apparently now at a garage (mechanic) and they've had it running ok. (Apparently at one point they ran it out of fuel and it had trouble starting, but after letting it sit overnight with new fuel and fuel cleaner it fired up.)

I know that it will probably need new tires right away, but what sort of electrical/mechanical/structural problems should I be looking for? Any idea what a fair asking price for something like this would be? (Just a ballpark figure--I know I haven't been able to give a very detailed description.)

Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.

My dad owned a Mark II that he sold in the late 70s as a down payment on the house I grew up in. My goal one day is to own an E-Type. But for now Jeremy Clarkson (Top Gear) has me craving an XJS. He sometimes makes fun of them but you can see how much he really loves them and I agree--I think that the XJS will someday be a must have car.

Thanks again.

 

There's a buyers guide in the "How To" sticky thread at the top of this section. It'll give you some basics. Go there and then come back with any other questions.

Welcome aboard, by the way !

Cheers
DD

 

Welcome to the Forum.
Please take time to visit
New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum
and introduce yourself so we can all say 'Hello'

 

As far as the fuel tank problems it has to do with fuel vapor smell in the car which has a permanent recall from Jaguar. If you find one with that issue it hasn't been taken back for fix. Most dealers will give the run around but contact Jaguar USA in New Jersey and you'll find the dealer begging to fix the issue free of charge. The XJSC has the same standing recall. I have a Hess&Eisenhart and it purrs like a kitten. The big scare on the gas tanks is nobody makes any XJS tanks regardless of the model (currently working on this). The H&E tank is only for the H&E. I keep 2 NOS tanks in the attic. lol
Oddly enough the H&E tank is the least likely to rust through like all other XJS's. Don't know why. The H&E suffers no issues particular to the model. The only parts I know of that must be H&E are the tank, doors, top, top motor, and the rear interior trim. It is the second rarest Jaguar XJS by production so I'm told. The XJSC being the rarest supposedly. You will love the car it's one of my favorites to drive.

 

Thanks for the info on the Hess. I knew it had unique gas tanks, didn't know it had unique doors/trim, etc.

I read the buyers guide yesterday (along with the very long winded new user documents, lol) and they answered a lot of questions. I guess what I'm wondering is what should I be looking for in a car that has sat for 8-9 years without running. I'm also wondering if the car is "safe" to drive. Not in the sense of are the tires and brakes good, but I'm wondering if I can drive it the 200 miles from it's current location to my home without doing damage to the engine/fuel system, etc., or if I need to do work on the engine before taking it for long drives.

And I'm also trying to figure out what a reasonable price for this car is. The paint looks very good, I've been told that there's no rust, there is some damage/cracking on the leather seats, and it seems to run/shift ok. I've been told that it needs new tires and that the rear side windows don't work/need some sort of repair, though I'm not sure what. (Again, the car is 200 miles from me so I'm trying to figure out if it's even worth looking at.) I'm seeing all sorts of different prices all over the web so if anybody has any ballpark figures on what you think a car of this era that's in generally good shape is worth please let me know.

Thanks.

 

Get the seller to send you a shed load of current pictures. You say it is at a garage, so they shouldn't have a problem with underside shots.

Rust is a big killer on these old Jags.

No pics, run away from it.

200 miles is not that far, if you are serious, take a day trip and go and see it.

If you do buy it, then either take a tent, or more sensibly hire some method of transport to haul it back.

You'll want to live with any car that has been standing for 9 years, before making a long journey.

Like you say, the tyres are shot and would need to be changed before any kind of journey.

 

Probably not.

What's your tolerance for risk, adventure, and expense ? :-)

I can't tell you how many similar stories I've heard over the years. They always seem to end the same way: a conked out Jag on the back of a flat-bed.

Jags (well, any car, really) do not like sitting unused for years and years at a time.






You might be luckier than most others but if the car has been unused for *9 years* I'd count on fuel, brake, and cooling system rust and all the problems that go along with it. Not to mention dried out fuel hoses (fire hazard) and other assorted XJS issues....which usually keep the new owner busy for a few weekends even under the best of circumstances :-)

Cheers
DD

 

Price depends on car and person selling it. I regularly see H&E's with under 80k needing minor repairs and paint under $2500. Mine has 70k and I gave $1800 for it. It sat for 8 years prior to purchase. I change fuel filter after draining tank, put new fuel pump, changed oil and filter, and checked for electric cooling fan function. I then drove it the 160 miles home with no issues.

 

There are those of us who prefer the look of the Hess to the later factory models... the Hess has a nice low stack.

Most of the issues can be sorted if the engine and transmission are solid. If it has overheated... RUN!

Cheers,

- Will

 

I'm a coupe man, love those sail panels ( the infamous "Flying Buttresses"). But if I were to buy a convertible, it would be the H&E. I love the way the top lays low in the bodywork when down.
The only bad I've heard of is sourcing parts, and the aforementioned fuel vapor recall. I read up on them, and depending on when it was modified by H&E, it could have one of four different motors and mechanisms for the top.
As mentioned, they are prone to the fuel hoses in the vee drying and cracking from heat, and leaking fuel (right around a distributor, no less). The cooling systems were adequate when new, but if it hasn't been properly maintained, there could be some issues there.
The V12 was common for suffering from chronic long term overheating, which in some cases could lead to a dropped valve seat (I bought my 85 with a locked up engine that suffered this exact fate; now it has lots of goodies including $3800 in cooling system upgrades).
It probably would behoove you to trailer it is possible.
However, by the same token, I found my 94 online, put full coverage insurance on it, flew to Laguardia airport in NY the next day, and drove it 2100 carefree mes back here to northwestern New Mexico.