Looked over the Web for a full removable hardtop for an XJS. Found one in England but the price was outrageous. Is there a manufacturer in the United States that sells them...or am I on a fools errant?
Afterburner

 

I've moved your question from Jaguar Forums Advice / Feedback & Suggestion Center to XJS forum. The Advice / Feedback & Suggestion Center is for posts about the forum and not for tech questions.

Members here with the same model are the most likely to know of any hardtop suppliers. The only one I am aware of anywhere is Arden and I'm sure you will already have seen their prices.

Graham

 

Looks nice...BUT E6000'00 YIKES !!!


How would you fit it. Do you have to remove the soft top ??

 

I have never seen or heard of one in my 4 years of ownership. not surprised on the price considering thats a custom job

 

Appreciate your replies. I am just starting my quest to find an 1996 XJS and favor the roadster over the coupe (PERSONAL CHOICE, NOT A CRITICISM)
Looked at Cabriolet and it seemed to have a half top, (in pictures) Am I wrong on that? On that basis, the logical extension was a full top

 

Here's a cabriolet hardtop:



Graham

 

I have never seen a Cabriolet top on or off an XJS. Seen pictures, but did not understand how they function on the car. In pictures it seems that the Cabriolet top stops over the back of the front seats. Would you please enlighten me?

 

That's right, it's just like the Surrey top on the TR5; you swap the folding vinyl/duck rear section for the solid hardtop. With the removeable hard front panels you have the equivalent of a full removeable hardtop.
There was never the option of a one piece hardtop which would have been difficult to achieve with the Cabriolet frame work.

 

Still a little confused.
The cabriolet top only comes standard on the cabriolet model?
There are 3-4 pieces that lock together to form a water tight? hard top?.
The rag top is removed to put the cab top on the car?
Are the panels standard on all model and all you need is the abbreviated back portion to complete the top?

 

The cabriolet was a completely separate model that was produced from 1983 to 1987 as Jag did not have their own convertible model at that time. The convertible model replaced the cabriolet.

I think it would not be easy to install a hardtop with the standard convertible top in place because it does not go down flush with the rear deck and would mean that you probably would not be able to see out of the rear window of the hardtop (or only have a little slit opening.

 

That's about it in a nutshell, the hardtop only fits the Cabriolet.
The first photo shows the soft top removed completely which you need to do to fit the hardtop (which only covers half of the roll over hoop to the back).
The second photo shows the softop on but down and the hard panels removed and the 3rd photo shows the entire roof up; the hardtop merely replaces the soft top.

 

Kool idea, was my original plan.
1978 custom roadster V12, for sale, a fair weather car at this time!

yrs back there was a removable top company in Calif. called CARSON tops.

aluminum tube frame covered with waterproof insulated fabric, using four clamps,two at windshield and two at rear going under the edge on my car!

 

The Terms Cabriolet, hardtop, convertible, roadster, I thought were being used interchangeably. And, I was not aware that the Cabriolet's were only made in the '80s. I prefer the convertible over the coupe, but prefer the coupe's solid top. In addition I am looking for a '96 model. Now that you mention it, I do remember Carson. If they are still in business I will call them
Thanks Guys you were a great help

 

Arden Hardtop XJS


Heres a hard top for the XJS.
I'm not sure how it would work, if you need to remove the softop or not


Arden Hardtop XJS

 

Here is a picture of an XKR with an Arden hardtop fitted. There are 2 mounts that stay bolted to the top frame in the back & it secures in the front by manually operating the latch.

 

If you are looking at a 96 XJS convertible, unless you feel the need for a hardtop for security?, I wouldn't think about a hartop. I recently replaced the convertible top on my 89, and it is quite adequate to say the least. The XJS convertible has a nice headliner, the sound deadner/insulation, then the top itself. Very quiet compared to most convertibles, not to mention easy to heat and cool the cabin.

 

I never knew such a thing as a hardtop for a XK8 or XJS existed. They did exist for E types as factory options. ...I don't care for how they look in any of the three models...

 

With the hard top on it is like having a different car. I like the look so it is on about 8 months a year.

 

afterburner1,

I'm sure by now that you've decided a hardtop for an XJS is not a good idea. The only one that I know that was produced was by Arden, as mentioned. It required the whole hood and frame to be removed in order for it to be fitted. so that's one reason why you don't want it anyway! And (just IMHO), it didn't look good. With a price (in 2012) of 5950 Euro, there are now 3 reasons why you don't want one!

Paul

 

Personally I think the 'notchback' look with the hardtop suits the XJS well. Were it not for the price I'd be very tempted. Since I don't care for open motoring I'd leave it on 24/7/365....and the loss of the soft top and mechanism wouldn't bother me a bit.

<shrug>


Cheers
DD