my 88 xjs, according to all the info i have gleaned off the internet started off as a coupe and was converted to a convertible. It does not have any H&E logos and only a single gas tank (not the dual tanks that H&E did). doing research on the VIN (SAJNA5846JC142815) the 6th position number (Body Style) is 5 which would indicate a 2 door coupe. I looked on the doorpost to check for modification tags, but there were none. Only the original tag that reflects manufacture date and VIN number. If anyone has any other way of checking on who converted this, it would be greatly appreciated.
BTW a great site for XJS owners is: http://jaugar.professional.org. Sean has a great VIN decoder and lots of good information. Thanks Sean
Also you might want to get Kirby Palm's "Help for the XJ-S Owner from jag-lovers.org
Thanks to all. Steve

 

This has come up before...including a year or two ago either here or on jag-lovers.

Besides H&E there was/were apparently some one-off or two-off type conversions done by other shops....probably commissioned by local dealers. As I recall someone picked up a partial trail leading to a shop in Santa Monica, Ca. that was connected with the local Fiat/Alfa dealer. Nothing conclusive, though.

I lived in Santa Monica in the 70s-80s and it had a slew of foreign car dealers, body shops, resto-shops, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if a local shop did a couple conversions.

Sorry I can't offer anything of substance

Cheers
DD

 

In addition to the H&E and factory convertibles, Arden of Germany and Lynx made drop-tops, but I don't think many of these made it to the US.

Here's a few pics I have of the pre-facelift Arden verts:











You can usually spot them by the custom ground effects.

For pics of the Lynx Spider click here.

It's probably a dealer conversion like Doug mentioned.

 

Could be a Hess & Eisenhardt, Cincinnati, Ohio, who were given an 18 month contract to build convertible cars from 1986-88 by Jaguar Cars Inc out of standard XJS V12 coupes until Jaguar had developed their own convertible.

Sorry I haven't read the post closely enough and confused H&E with HE

 

Steve, I have read that an H&E conversion will have the conversion tag either on the door post or on the trunk lid. If you haven't already checked there, it may be a lead.

 

Spyhunter. that top picture looks identical to mine. I got all excited until i saw the part about being in Germany! LOL
I do appreciate the response and the photos. Thanks Steve

Also, been curious about the "facelift" and pre-facelift. Could you expound on what that means?

 

Hey Bob, thanks for the info, unfortunately i have checked those places. In the trunk is a "specially made for...." tag, but that was from 1988. Still looking. Steve

 

I'm owner of XJS 5.3 - V12 H.E. - 1983. Car is imported from UK as 4 seater cabriolet RHD. Previous owner don't have any papers of conversion. Almost sure is not Lynx or H&E conversion. No stamps or sign on the car... what is this?

1983 XJS 5.3-V12 H.E.

 

It is a factory built XJS Cabriolet, which was a stopgap measure to produce an open topped car when Jaguar did not have the resources to do a full convertible. Quite a few were made inn 6 and 12 cylinder versions. The roof structure braces the body well so it does not lose rigidity compared with the coupe. Mechanically identical to the pre facelift coupes.
Greg

 

Hmm, I'm not sure... In all papers car is identificated as XJS H.E. AUT , body type SPORTS (nowhere cabriolet). Also VIN is SAJNAEW3BC112222 (coupe) ????

 

I think you are not mistaken. It looks very like a factory produced cabriolet, but not quite identical.
The International Jaguar XJ-S Cabriolet Register
(earlier post changed by GiF)

Greg

 

My car don't have 2 removable roof panels (targa). The roof is soft in one peace (can be rolled)...

 

The C pillar looks wider than the Jaguar XJSc

 

it does too! Also the line of the roof brace at the B pillar looks not exactly the same.
it seems the GiF guarantee may be worthless!
Greg

 

It does seem to have some differences from the factory car.

 

Did anyone work out more information on this car? I have just got one and it does seem to be a little different from factory XjsC cars. Full soft roof, no panels. Back seats. Originally a 5.3 hE coupe on its Vin. Made in 1982. looking for info!

 

Match! This looks exactly the same conversion as mine. Check the center window frame. Now what is it? Who did these early cabriolet style conversions? Mine was built in 82, and delivered in 83 to Glasgow. Imported to Australia in 92. Lived in Sydney then Canberra. Now back in Sydney with me. super keen to get to the bottom of this so we know the history. Will help in my restoration.