VORTEC CRATE 350 V8 SWAP, 4BBL, SERPENTINE, DUALS, BUILT FOR THE LONG HAUL!!

This 1989 Jaguar XJS is one of those cars that you've always thought about owning but never quite got around to buying one. Well, now is unquestionably the time, as they're finally seeing some gains in the market, proving once again that quality and style will always be able to find enthusiasts willing to appreciate them. Better yet, this one has a Chevy V8 in it, eliminating just about all the reasons you have to not own a vintage Jag. Looks and performance? Come and get it!These cars aren't your run-of-the-mill imports, but for those of us who love them, they're just flat-out gorgeous. The XJS was ground-breaking when it hit the market, and following up the E-Type is no easy task, but this car has withstood the test of time. Still elegant and upscale, it doesn't look dated or clumsy after all these years, and by 1989, it had been trimmed out to look very sleek indeed. Wearing pearl white, this one has a traditional look that belies the modifications underneath, and it shows off the lean bodywork to great effect. The flying buttress C-pillars are as dramatic today as ever and it's much longer than you'd expect. The rub strips on the flanks help protect the vulnerable sheetmetal, which is perhaps why this one has stayed so straight, and while these are notorious for rusting in the most demonic ways possible, there's not much evidence of it here. Big chrome bumpers and heavy metal door handles glitter in the sun and give you an impression of permanence and wealth, which is entirely the point.Interiors are what the British have always done best, and the lovely tan hides in this Jag don't disappoint. Aside from a split on the driver's outer bolster, a high-traffic area that shouldn't be a surprise, it's just beautifully preserved. Anything that looks like wood actually is real wood, including the steering wheel (an aftermarket piece but very appropriate) and center console. Passive restraints were a thing in 1989 as airbags were expensive, so this upscale Jag makes due with the motorized seat belts, but they work as advertised and are actually better than standard belts because of the length of the doors. Big, round gauges have a clean, crisp look and that slender shifter looks almost too delicate to manage the 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission that lives underneath (the swap was easy because Jags used GM transmissions when they were new). There's an AM/FM/CD stereo in the dash, which seems to be the only notable alteration inside, and even the trunk is decently-shaped with a matching spare tire stowed in its own fitted bag.The 5.3 liter V12 is gone, replaced by an even more powerful and efficient 350 cubic inch Chevrolet V8. There's now plenty of room for service in there and the reliability of the Chevy can't be beat. They used relatively quiet mufflers and resonators, so it doesn't sound much like a Camaro, and with catalytic converters, it's still legal just about everywhere. A 4-barrel carburetor, cast iron exhaust manifolds, HEI ignition, and a serpentine belt drive system for the accessories all help with reliability. The swap looks quite professional and the car runs and drives like it should. The suspension is still supple, the brakes are still powerful, and it's a superlative highway cruiser with a wonderful blend of sport and comfort. Handsome alloy wheels are original-issue and carry Toyo blackwall radials for an appropriate look.Is it a sleeper? Hard to say. It remains a joy to drive, affordable to maintain, and with the values going up, you'll finally be in the right place at the right time. Call today!