I have a decent 1988 Jaguar XJS Coupe in hunter green. I just put new tires on it and had most of the cooling system replaced (except for the radiator). Nice car, but it does have a salvage title because the rear end has been rebuilt after someone hit it. The headliner is the usual sad sagging Jaguar story.

Since the headliner will be recycled into a future oil rag anyway and I saw that the roof does not have any weird crossbeams in the middle, technically this would make a great candidate for a sliding ragtop. Buying an XJS convertible or targa is not really an option because I need usable backseats (my kids have legs).

While I am sure that my XJS would look great with a sliding ragtop, I am not sure whether it would kill the car's value and I would have to listen to purists complaining that I destroyed the car at every car show.

I still have an early 1976 XJS Coupe that will stay 100% original (in 2037 when I finally get it back on the road :-)).

Does anyone have a Jaguar with an aftermarket ragtop?

 

Have an XJ-S with a sunroof. Worst thing ever... I wouldn't cut around in the roof. Especially not on such an eadly model.

 

Personally if I were to install a sunroof it would be a hard sliding type. I think it would look and seal better. From what I read on here an early XJS in europe is much more valuable than it is here. So it probably won't detract that much if any from resale. Thats my theory with my 92. Ive made a conscious decision not to try to keep it original. By the time the XJS is a valuable classic Ill be to old to care.

 

Don't do it imofwiw

 

Go for it.

I had a full length Webasto folding roof on my '85 Range rover. I enjoyed every moment of it open. But after a short while it started to let water in. I replaced the cover and it lasted a bit longer. In the end l ended up putting a whole roof with a metal sunroof on instead.
It was easy as the roof was bolted on. Only problem was the sunroof drains which had to find a way to the bottom of the car.

 

Not for nothing, but if your car has a salvage title I wouldn't be all that worried about what a ragtop would do to the car's value. It's not going to swing the needle much.

 

That's what I was thinking. While it is a very nice car, it is not exactly rare. Here in the U.S. you could buy decent XJS coupes for $3000 to $5000 all day Iong. Even first model year cars like my early 1976 don't cost much yet.

Some day XJS values will explode and we will all be rich. :-)