I have determined that replacing the entire top including frame is doable whilst trying to replace just the cover is the province of professionals at over $1000 labor charge. I am wondering if all year XJSC tops, meaning the entire frame, are interchangeable. I ask because I found a very nice top from an 88, but I have a 92.

 

The Jaguar XJSC (Cabriolet) was in production from 1983-1988 and was replaced by the convertible model in 1989 (US market). There is no such thing as a 1992 XJSC, only a 1992 XJS convertible. If you are looking at a top from a 1988 vehicle it is either from a Cabriolet (XJSC) or a Hess & Eissenhart convertible conversion and neither will fit a 1992 XJS.

 

Thanks so much for the clarification. Saved me an unnecessary trip to the local pull your parts yard.

 

Actually the seats may be in somewhat better shape than mine. Do you know if they will transplant seamlessly from the 88 to the 92?

 

Richard,

The first few XJS convertibles were built in late 1987 with full rollout in 1988. I know that US owners often refer to their cars by "Model Year", rather than when the cars were made.

So, you need to find out out if this "1988" top is from a factory XJS Convertible, an H&E Convertible or a very late Cabriolet.

If it is from a convertible, then it will fit your car, assuming you have a 2-seater convertible, not a 2+2 convertible. The back window is a different size on the 2+2.

Good luck

Paul

 

Paul, I'm now a but confused. The reply from Ecbjag says that no 1988 model year convertible top will fit a face-lift car like my 92. Are you of the contrary opinion that if the 88 was manufactured in late 87 it might possibly fit a 92?

 

Richard,

In the UK, we generally refer to XJSs, based on when they are built and their VIN because that's the only think which accurately identifies the car and its specification. If you can't find out from the seller whether the "!988" car is a Cabriolet, an H&E Convertible, or a factory Convertible, just send me the VIN of the car, and I'll tell you what it is. Or else, send me a picture of the roof, and I'll tell you.

Cheers

Paul

 

In the US the convertible arrived for the 1989 model year, but as ptjs1 points out, the UK and US do model years differently so yes the US probably saw convertibles hitting dealerships in late '88 but as '89 MY cars. The 1988 MY was the final year of the XJSC and Hess & Eissenhart convertibles here in the states. If you have any photos of this vehicle drop them here and it will be easy to identify.

I do not know if the convertible mechanism changed at all with the introduction of the facelift models in '91, perhaps someone else will chime in. But if we're talking about a US spec 1988 xj-s I can say with near certainty that it is either an XJSC or H&E.