I recently aquired this 1990 XJS. I have a few questions about it though. It has 16 inch wheels for one thing. It also has red piping around the seats and it doesn't have the 4 individual headlights like I think it should. Is it some special addition or something I don't know about?
Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

The wheels came from a Jag sedan. Many owner go to 16" wheels because the selection of tires for the old 15" wheels is so poor.

The headlights have been converted to the 'Euro' type. Common. Also fairly common to go from Euro style to 4-lamp style, actually.

Then red piping might be a previous owner thing......if he had the seats redone. But, there *were* some special edition models and at least one of them.....the "Rouge Edition" I think....has contrasting seat piping. Others will chime in with better info.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks Doug... I like the wheels but not crazy about the headlights. May switch back to the original which I think look better.

 

Lattice or Starfish?

 

Hi LG

They are Jaguar 'Kiwi' Wheels as fitted to the X300/XJ40/XJ6/XJ12

Were about 400 Euros a piece: but now NLA.

 

I am a candidate to sell those headlights to should you want to get rid of them. I especially want the parts that hold them in as mine are marginal at best.

There is another member on this list that I have helped work on his 90. It is a red convertible with tan interior and red piping on the seats. It is a "collection" series? Anyway, his wifes grandfather bought it new, and it came that way.

 

I have euro headlights on my 89, it has had them since new. I like them, but I'm assuming that's because I grew up with them. Those euro lights aren't as common as the quads, like TR6 expressed there are people who I'm sure would swap with you! It sure does change the look of the car.

Do you have the pictures of the piping on the seats? I have normal tan (barley) seats, that would be cool to see!

 

I had a Rouge years ago. It wasn't a convertible but it came with the red piping trim on the seats. And, of course, the paint was red. The wheels also had red highlights. If your car is a Rouge, it should have a badge on the trunk that says "Rouge."

 

Do us a favor and post of photo of the rear of your car and the interior.

Many of the 1990 cars were "Collection Classic" editions. They would come with piping on the seat. There would also be a badge on the trunk lid that says "Collection Classic". It will not have a "V12" emblem.

I believe OB is correct about your wheels. I think they came from another Jaguar. Its possible that a dealer could have installed them along with the Euro headlights.

Mark

 

I'll have to take interior pics when I get it back... dropped it off at a friends shop the other day to have him check it over for me. He's been a Jaguar mechanic for years so I trust him.

 

Nice looking car. Might not be a rouge or classic but seem nice from the photos. And the piping is a nice touch.


I always wondered why the Yanks fitted those side moldings to every Brit car they sold. A real pain to get off as are riveted on, and will need filling and painting.

 

Not just Brit cars. All cars.

For ages these accessory moldings/strips were all the rage...usually installed at the dealer before sale at a huge price. I can well remember the molding company sending a work crew to the dealership and installing moldings on 40-50 cars in a day. They'd charge about $50/car and the dealer would install addendum to the window sticker showing "Side Protective Strips $299.00" or whatever price they thought the market would bear

The self-adhesive type are not so bad as they can *usually* be removed with nothing being damaged. But the rivet type are another matter, yes, and sadly were far more commonly used. If you don't like 'em then you're in for quite an expense having a couple dozen holes filled and the sides of the car re-painted.

Cheers
DD

 

Yeah, my first 96 did not have them, my replacement car does. Riveted. Hate it. The price was too good to pass up though.

Some day I'm going to remove it...some day...

 

I would love to remove those trim strips... I'll have to figure out if they are riveted on or not. If they are glued on do the marks usually buff out?

 

On a red car, likely not, and you'd have to be darn sure its never been repainted as the trims were likely not removed to do the same.

I love the Euro lights, US issue quads although better to see, ruin the lines of the nose IMO..

I vote you keep 'em!

Nice car.

Jeff

 

Interesting. I'd love to see a photo of the red piping, too. I've got a Signal Red 1990 XJS also, but the tan/barley interior has same color piping on the seats. My car does have after sale Jag aluminum alloy wheels, though, except for the spare that is in the trunk with the original spokes. FWIW, my mechanic is a fan of the aluminum and tells me the lighter weight of the wheels is actually beneficial.






I did replace my top - bought one on eBay and had a pro install it (it's a major PITA to get it on from what I understand). I should probably have done the interior liner at the same time, but didn't. It's OK, but not is perfect shape. One thing I'm loving is the battery kill switch I had installed - I don't have electric to run a trickle charger so I just turn the whole system off if I'm not going to be driving for more than 10 days or so. Yes, I have to reset the clock and radio, but it's worth it for a car that does start when I spin the dial :-). - Gina