What would be your perfect XJS? Early V12, HE conv., 1996 Celebration. . .
Or, if you were going to buy an XJS to restore what would you look for?
What do you all think?

 

We allowed to pick just *one*? That's a bit cruel

Facelift 6.0 Coupe for me!

Cheers
DD

 

1987 Lister, PLEASE!

 

Pre facelift HE conv (Like mine) or anything associated with TWR/Jaguarsport.

 

First things first...

Facelift.

• Since it has a decent final drive (3.54:1) the 6.0L is, then, fine.
• Low miles, mirror-like/flawless paint, seats still smell fresh leather.
• Saphire blue or Carnival red.

Nothing else comes close

Cheers,

 

Dougs choice +1.

Restoring an XJ-S, be brave, very brave, no matter what year.

The list (book version) is bigger than War and Peace on that one.

 

XJ13, no doubt whatsoever.

 

Steve,

As the XJ13 isn't an XJS, I'll go for a Lister Le Mans convertible. The potential for 200mph in an XJS? Who needs recreational drugs!

Paul

 

Wrong post! Thought I was in 'prettiest Jag' one.

 

I would sure hope that the most desirable XJS is hopefully the one you have since you live with it.

I suppose many of us may have bought one that was for sale down the street or something because at the time we did not know much about the XJS or possibly finances kept us from getting a convertible over a coupe etc.

For myself what color the XJS is makes a huge difference on how the car looks ( this of course always comes down to personal taste). The color combination and also the wheel package to some extent, to my eye can either make the car look sportier and sleeker or older and more distinguished.

For example a few years back there was a couple that had a light green 1995 XJS convertible in my area and I have a solid red 1995 XJS convertible. We were on a club run and when we arrived at our destination a club member who had a sedan came up to me and asked me what year both our XJS' were because to him the red XJS looked like a newer upgraded and sportier version. The only difference between our XJS' is color.

 

Yep, agreed. I love my convertible, but the lines on the Coupe are just......

Plus it would have the factory spoiler!

 

i've never driven a facelift xjs, let alone a 6.0.
and mostly because i am significantly more attracted to the lines of the pre-facelift car. something about the fastidiousness of those tail lamps and the way they blend perfectly from the buttresses.
oh... if i haven't mentioned... must be a coupe.

my first (misstep) purchase of an XJS was an 89. it was beautiful, but completely rotted out underneath. but, what to be aware of is those awful passive seat belts. they always break, and are impossible to source replacements for. and they're pretty annoying. so anything i think 88-89 is out. (someone correct me on these years)

however, it was also 88 or 89 that the sportier seats were introduced. more plush seat and more significant side bolstering. these i believe are a must have, and you'll immediately notice the difference.

so... 90 or 91.

in 1991 i believe the only XJS's produced were either "rouge" or "classic" collection. each of these had contrast piping on the seats. also... a little touch that classes up the interior even more.
for me... red piping was a little much. so classic collection coupe it is!

the two downsides to the classic collection?
1-the horrible airbag steering wheel. give me a wooden nardi please.
2-the "classic collection" badge on the rear, in place of the v12 badge.


tldr: the 1991 classic collection coupe has those difficult to swap options for me that made it the best for me

 

TWR XJR-S with 6.2 or 6.4L engine.

 

This one.
Really wish I hadn't sold it now.

 

I bought the XJS that I wanted: 6-cyl, 5-speed manual coupé, rear sway bar. Just got lucky that it was my second-choice of colour after BRG. It's the sportiest standard production version of the XJS. But I can see how the V12 auto version might be a better Gran Tourer.

For investment value I'd look for an early factory V12 4-speed manual.

 

Mate, that's as sweet as they come!
Question what the **** has that house got on its Roof? I'm a a builder but that place looks like it needs a barber! HaHaHa

 

In my book, only 2:

1989.5 XJS V12, Black on Black
1987 XJ12 SIII Black on Black

 

That, my friend, is what we refer to as a thatched cottage, very popular over here (and in other places in Europe). Our one was 350 years old although the thatch needs changing every 25 to 30 years depending on type of reed used.

 

Simply magnificent!
In the wonderful land of Oz you will never see anything like that, our summers just wont allow it, too much of a fire hazard for anywhere around here.
Still very much admire that Lister, would of being a sad day for you when you parted ways.

 

My wallet wasn't in the slightest bit sad!