It took me a week of hard work to convince my wife that I need yet another Jaguar XJS. And that was in a lucky can-do-no-wrong phase. So I have to seize the opportunity. :-)

I was looking at a September 1975 XJS in decent condition with lots of work done and new silver paint. The serial number indicates it was made right around or just before the launch date. It is not as perfect as the one in the pictures below, but pretty decent. Unfortunately 1700 miles away from me.

Now I discovered a 1987 XJ-SC Targa Convertible in great condition. I still have withdrawals from the 1986 XJ-SC I sold last year. Plus this one is british racing green, just like Lady Diana's. And it is only 50 miles from me.

The potentially pre-launch XJS is probably more collectible, but technically it is identical to my December 1975 XJS and almost identical to my May 1976 XJS. The XJ-SC is getting rare, but opinions on collectibility vary quite a bit. My collector brain says 1975 XJS. My butt says 1987 XJ-SC - the only convertible you can drive open while sitting in the shade.

I am sure you guys and girls have recommendations for me ... :-)

P.S.: The pictures are from Google, not of the actual cars.

 

Those early cars with the embossed door panels, pleated seats and without the wood and chrome are really interesting. Also the early cars have better color combos...silver over red is classic.

 

Listen to the butt; it usually talks a lot more sense than the brain.

 

Those who scorn the XJ-SC have missed the point. It's the only open-top XJS with really uncompromised structural rigidity. Owning the current XJ-SC, and previously a 1990 convertible, I can tell you that the XJ-SC is a far better driving experience. It's also considerably more sprightly, owing to lower weight. Who cares if it takes 5 minutes to convert?

 

Face it. The only thing to do is buy both!

 

I like the way you think. Unfortunately I only have one spot left in the garage. If I buy both, I would have to sell something else. I rarely ever drive my 1997 XK8 Coupe, but it just looks too good to ever sell it.

 

All I know is the older model makes me want to get rid of my fog lights.

 

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a recent talk with a sales person from WELSH Jaguar, he said that the value of BLACK BUMPER CARS are starting to go up, finally!

but like any old car depends on condition!

 

To me, the buttresses are an integral part of the XJS design, and anything without them just doesn't offer the full impact of the design. Like flatnose 911s. Sell the current 1975 and buy the prelaunch (?) one....

 

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lets not forget that they all are just old junk!

somehow we have become masocistic about them, and spend useless money on them!
reality can be a hard awakening!

 

Excuse my sarcasm, but once I am old, sick and in hospice care, all the money is really completely useless. Believe me, I watched it happen. So I better spend some of it while I can enjoy it. :-)

 

Yeah, but we really Love our JUNK!!!

 

I prefer XJ-S Coupe than XJ-SC. Because I think XJ-S Coupe's back style is one of the masterpiece of Jaguar design.
But XJ-SC is really rare model than XJ-S coupe. so I think the model's price will rise in near future.

 

i 1st noticed a car with some buttresses 1966 PONTIAC GTO coupe.

10 years before Jag XJS ,who copied who?

i think Poncho copied Ferrari!

 

There were quite a few that used the buttress design. A couple come to mind. The 68 Charger, 72 Hardtop Mustang, 70's Ferrari Dino, 308, 328, etc. Lamborghini Countach. I was trying to think of earlier cars? I don't really remember any early ones? Other then the Ferrari 250 GTO's which maybe be the first ones??? I think the XJS was the best of the design!

Jack

 

Decision made.

I reminded myself why I sold my last XJ-SC Targa Cabriolet. To keep it nice, I only drove it on dry sunny weekends (not that many in Minnesota). And 80% of my weekend rides include two kids, which don't legally fit in the XJ-SC. So I just didn't drive it often enough. I love the XJ-SC, esp. at 90+ degrees when you can pull the back down, leave the targa panels in place and drive the only convertible that provides shade and wind at the same time.

So this time, the black bumper XJS coupe won. Should be here next week.

 

Cool !