1990 Jaguar XJ-S V12 Convertible

• Delivered new to the USA
• Four owners from new
• Left-hand drive
• Automatic transmission

Conceived as a comfortable and long-legged Grande Routière, rather than an out-and-out sports car like the preceding E-Type, the XJ-S debuted at the 1976 Frankfurt Motor Show as a V12-powered coupé, with six-cylinder and soft-top versions following in the 1980s. One of the most important developments in the evolution of the V12-powered XJ-S was the introduction of the HE (High Efficiency) engine in 1981. Incorporating new 'Fireball' cylinder heads, designed by Swiss engineer Michael May, this more fuel-efficient unit enabled the top-of-the-range XJ-S to meet tighter worldwide emissions legislation. Combined with a higher (2.88:1) final drive ratio, the result was an improvement in fuel consumption of up to 20% at some engine speeds, a figure of 27.1mpg being claimed at a constant 56mph and 22.5 at 75mph.

Introduced in 1983, Jaguar's first response to demands for an open-top XJ-S was somewhat conservative in engineering terms. The XJ-S had not been designed with an open version in mind, so the Targa cabriolet arrangement was adopted, which retained a substantial roll hoop in the interests of maintaining rigidity in the absence of a fixed roof. Essentially an exercise in niche marketing to test public reaction, the cabriolet's production was entrusted to outside specialist contractors, with bodyshells being transported back and forth across the Midlands before returning to the Brown's Lane factory prior to final despatch. A conventional convertible model arrived in 1988. Following the cabriolet's deletion, both the coupé and convertible models lasted until the end of XJ-S production in 1996.

This left-hand drive, automatic transmission XJ-S V12 Convertible was first registered in Northborough, Massachusetts to a lady who owned it for 15-16 years. The Jaguar then went to Oklahoma where it enjoyed two owners, the second of whom sold the car to our vendor. The latter says that the car has been maintained rather than restored, and reports that it is in generally good condition. Accompanying documentation consists of a V5C Registration Certificate, MoT to May 2024, and an envelope of receipts for work carried out during its entire life.