I'm in the market for an XJS, and I really had my eye on the coupe seeing as they are just drop dead beautiful. Unfortunately the lumbering stupid Ford Americans came in and dropped the coupe model, and seeing as 1994 is the first reliable year for the model, it's hard to find one under 6k. Is it at all possible to convert a '94 or newer convertible XJS to a coupe?

 

Um I guess anything is possible with enough money. But If your goal is to save money by buying a convertible, It would be wayyy more expensive to convert a convertible than just starting off with a coupe. I mean we are talking rear body panels, the roof, the glass, all the re-wiring, removal of all the convertible stuff, I think a new gas tank?, All the fabrication and then the repainting. + the parts would be so hard to find because like you said, coupes are hard to find, All of the above ^^^ would be at astronomical prices. I just believe buying a coupe would save you a ton of money and hundreds of hours of work.

 

They did make coupes in 94 and 95 (not sure about the last few they made in '96). Just take you time and look for one of those. I wouldn't necessarily rule out an older one though. With the right maintenance there are those on here that seem to keep them running

 

Why are you looking for a facelift? Reliability? Upgrades? Those were all added by the "lumbering stupid Ford Americans".

Stick to the pre-89s and you can pride yourself in driving a true British automobile. At least buy a pre-facelift.

I happen to like how Ford fixed the XJS model...except for the taillights. I hate those stinking taillights. They are butt.

 

I much prefer the coupes myself so I share your frustration. But, the late coupes ARE out there. Just be patient and be ready to jump when the right one comes along.

As for Ford/Americans being stupid, well, I think the convertibles were outselling the coupes by a large margin. It was probably a very *smart* move to drop the slower selling model and devote production efforts to the fast selling model.

Cheers
DD

 

Now we are driving true Indian motor cars made by TATA or at least owned by TATA motors. Doesn't seem too cool. Maybe I will get a license plate that says tatacat.

 

They probably were the reasons reliability shot up I guess, haha. Can't have a true British Auto unless it comes with an inflatable mechanic to put in the boot.

As for the modifications it seems it would be much cheaper to just wait for the right coupe to come along. And I agree the American XJS coupe brakelights look terrible, like some ridiculous Pontiac Firebird.

Thanks

 

As a facelift owner, I wish they hadn't changed the tail-lights. I like the other ones much better. My guess that as far as reliability goes, a '95 or '96 with the AJ16 would be the most reliable but I'm still not convinced that if you start out with a well sorted V12 or AJ6 of any vintage there would be so much difference that I'd forgo getting one if I found one I was looking for.

 

I think I agree.

Besides, the *youngest* XJSs are 15 years old. "Reliabilty" at this point will have more to do with the care they have rec'd than anything else.

Cheers
DD

 

There are two '94 and later coupes on Hemmings.com but both are pretty pricey.

There is one '94 XJS Coupe on ebay right now. Not sure what color or mileage you are looking for but it's under $4k.

Jaguar : XJS | eBay


And although this one doesn't fit the year you are looking for, I thought it was a sharp looking coupe:

Jaguar : XJS | eBay