Originally Posted by JaguarSpecialties

Hello all, this is Andrew from Jaguar Specialties. I hope you are all well and please please do everything you can to stay that way. We're in the 4th week of a "Shelter in Place" order in California and it looks like it will be that way for a while longer. As fate would have it, a new car came into the mix right before the you know what hit the fan, so that was great timing. I meant to post this a while back (mid-Feb) but here it is. Maybe a fun read.....

So there’s a new cat hanging around our shop, and the story about how it got here is one of odd luck. The car itself is very unusual- it’s a 1987 XJSC, a somewhat rare “almost-convertible” version of the XJS coupe that featured very unique removable pair of T-tops and removable rear roof section. This model was built in the Jaguar factory in limited numbers from 1986-1988, starting with a coupe shell that was modified to this configuration. With only some 5500 made (out of 120,000 total XJS production), this was Jaguar’s answer for open-air motoring before they offered the XJS with a traditional folding top. I’ve always liked the XJSC, called the “Cabriolet” and I’ve owned a 1988 model since 2003, bought from the original owner. That car has been the subject of many conversion projects and upgrades over the years. Anyway, one Saturday evening recently I was doing what every red-blooded American does - that’s right, cruising through Craigs List looking for interesting cars. There was the usual junk, also some nice cars, and then right there in the Jaguar section was an XJSC- something that doesn’t pop up that often. Turns out it was a Lien Sale, offered by a local tow company after being removed from a local apartment complex parking lot. It was never claimed by the owner, so put up for sale.

Of course I had to go see it and in this case it was one of those 1 out of 10 used cars that was actually better in person than it appeared in the pics. It had a good body, decent paint, nice interior, only some 80,000 or so miles, and the optional rear hardtop with glass window. Some work was going on under the hood as there were 12 brand new, never used, fuel injectors (likely to the tune of some $80+ ea x 12 = $1000, ouch) loosely attached to the injection rail. As you can expect, I did what every red blooded American does after seeing a sharp classic car for sale that he doesn’t really need- I bought it. It became pretty obvious this one wasn't going back on the road with V12 power- it had been sitting idle since 2003 so not a good prospect for resurrection there. A few days later the injectors were on their way to a Jag owner in Indianapolis, the V12 engine and trans came out and went to a local British car nut, the catalytic converters went to the recycler, and we now had a nice car with a big hole under the hood…..

There is plenty to do before it’s ready for anything – the brake system needs a full rebuild, the fuel tank is a nice example of what nasty things happen when gas and water hang out together undisturbed for 10+ years, and of course most of the suspension bushings are falling apart. But all of those bits are easily available, all for the most part the same as regular XJS parts. And for some other harder to find pieces, and very nice, but also long off the road 89 XJS coupe (with great body and interior, less engine and trans) found its way here as well to be a good donor for the effort. It's been really helpful having that car as its amazing what big, and little, pieces you find you need when getting into a basically original 33 year old car.....

At this moment while trying to figure out a direction for the car, the front suspension, brakes, and fuel system are being gone through- all of that was basically original and 33 years old. We'll also probably swap out the rear axle in total as it's one of those Dana (not Dana 44-no drain plug) style units- an XJS oddball. The 89 has a Dana 44 style axle (even if it does only also have 2.88 gears), but it's a better place to start at least.....

I’m not sure what to do yet with this one- after such a good outcome with the LS1/6-speed manual trans in my 88 XJSC (see here- Jaguar Specialties), that direction seems possible. Or maybe something else???

Here are some pics- the car as it arrived (it was a lot of fun getting it off the flatbed with the front wheels locked to the left- it came with no keys…), a nice shot of it giving up the V12 (I’ve done this a hundred times but you never get over how heavy that-aluminum- Jag V12 is….),, and the 89 coupe donor as well.

Thanks for reading and talk soon…..

Andrew
Jaguar Specialties,, NO doubt in todays world an LS series is by far the best mod for an engine , so many performance mods , it seems endless!
especially for the costs involved , GM has got things figuerd out!, and the after market is following along!
me some of the guys were saying HENNESSY performance is one of those who is moving fast with the 2020 C8 Corvette!
wouldnt i like a 8 speed dual clutch gear box!! OOHHHYYA, with twin turbos!! Holy mackerl bat man?
ron