1989 Jaguar XJS V-12 Convertible ~ Clean, Excellent Runner, Solid & Beautiful!

1989 Jaguar XJS V-12 Convertible

VIN# SAJNV4846KC156925

This is a very desirable factory-built convertible, with classic “pre-facelift” styling and 5.3 liter engine in HE specification (“High Efficiency” cylinder heads). It's done 116,000 miles and is in excellent overall condition. Car has been mostly stored in recent years, doing only one or two summer outings per season. Recent new injectors and new tires.

Factory color is “Tungsten Poly”, paint code JEX (call it ice blue/gray, and you've got it). Trim code JEF, “Isis Blue”. Body tags match on hood, doors, trunk. We can't detect any signs of body repair, overspray or repray on any panels: We believe this car has 100% original paint. Clean CarFax, reporting no accidents or incidents.

Motor is strong, smooth, quiet, and is everything a Jaguar V-12 was meant to be.

Top in complimentary color matches original trim code. We presume it is the original top, and it is in very good condition. Some broken stitching on drivers side (see pics) but the seam welds are strong with no signs of separation or weakness. Other side is almost perfect. Excellent weatherstripping, and the top seals weather-tight. Top powers down or up smoothly and quietly in ten seconds: It performs as-new. Two manual latches at the windshield header, and then it's a one-touch button operation, including powering the rear quarter windows down or up automatically. Original equipment color-keyed canvas cover for folded top. Cover has all attaching clips intact, and it stays ruffle free at highway speed (we tested up to 80 mph cruising).

Paint finish and color are in excellent shape for age, with typical nicks or scratches (as can be expected on an old car). One small rust perforation in body, at lower trailing corner of RR wheel arch (see pics on photo link), and a spot of light surface corrosion on lower corner of door frame (again, please see pics on link). Otherwise impressively clean and totally solid body and floors. Excellent windshield. Brightwork is very good, the weakest part being some minor pitting on the chromed headlamp bezels. One foglamp lens is cracked. No accidents or body repair found in the records or the CarFax, and there is no body panel repair work or respraying that we could find in our inspection.

Bolt-on wire wheels (with new tires) are straight and true, and add an elegant style to this classic British grand tourer.

Interior is in very nice original condition, with nice finish on wood veneers. Less-than-typical wear on seats. Stitching is in fine shape and little-to-no sun fade on seats. Some separation of seat cover on panel joint on back of driver's seat (see pics), looks like an easy repair. Original carpets are clean and nice for their age, faded slightly. Door panels are clean and very nice, with some typical wear on leather top panels where you rest your arm. Steering wheel has typical wear on leather, good stitching. Dash top is just about perfect, and appears to be free of fading. Instrument panel is clean and clear, with some separation of cover material just below main instruments.

Oil pressure gauge reads low at the gauge, which we believe is due to a non-OEM sending unit (common issue on these motors, it seems). We brought the car to a qualified shop and watched them test the oil pressure with a calibrated digital gauge. Results are healthy:

20 lbs PSI on warm idle ; 46 lbs PSI @ 2500 RPM ; 52 lbs @ 3500 RPM.

They cleaned the terminals and put the old sender unit back on, but it still reads low. We'd recommend getting an OEM sending unit, which fits right on top of the motor and is easy to access and replace.

Newer Pioneer radio makes noise, but not hooked up to antenna. Apparently an aftermarket antenna unit was mounted when the original unit stopped going up and down, and the connections do not match. Power mirror switches respond, but are a bit dodgy. Blower motor was replaced and it works on all speeds, and in near silence. Climate control system heats just fine, but the air con does not blow cold. All four power window lifts work great. Cruise control works fine, and held any speed we set between 30 and 80 MPH.

Boot (trunk) is clean and complete with spare on original 'cross-lace' alloy wheel with correct cover. Jack is in standard cloth bag. Weak gas struts for trunk lid should be replaced. Trunk lid is clean, straight and rust free in all the crevices where they can go bad.

Motor and engine compartment are clean and orderly – no apparent modifications from stock. Bonnet insulation pad is old and could use a replacement, which would really lift the appearance in that area to a higher standard.

Motor is very smooth and quiet, just as it was designed and engineered to be. Trans shifts smoothly and accurately, though shifting into gear from a stop produces a slight clunk that probably indicates worn U-joints. Car steers very slightly to right, and under braking pulls slightly to the right with hands off wheel – probably an alignment issue -- but this is not intrusive in day-to-day driving, just an observation. The car is quick and the power delivery effortless, unobtrusive and almost silent – This is the quietest and most serene convertible I have ever driven top-down at highway speeds. Its comfortable and refined nature is very seductive.

We are selling this car for a friend of ours. Clear title is in his name, and final payment (after $300 P/P deposit) will be made out to him. He has owned this Jaguar for over ten years, and he is an avid car collector who does not skimp on maintenance. Fresh oil change after recent storage. Other than the oil pressure sender, we couldn't find anything pressing to do. I would drive this car anywhere with confidence, as-is.

The owner does not want to throw all caution to the wind: He chose a very low and reasonable value for his reserve auction price (at which price we think this car would be a sensational value.)

OVER 120 MORE PHOTOS FOR YOU TO EXAMINE, SHOWING THE CAR IN DETAIL, INSIDE/OUT and UNDERNEATH: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmome4va

And If You’re Serious About Bidding, Please Read….

The Fine Print:

GOOD LUCK! Please bid to the value this car may hold for you. Please feel free to ask questions or add comments. Please ask questions BEFORE you bid. We will respond quickly and honestly. This vehicle is garaged in Plymouth, Minnesota 55441, about thirty minutes west of downtown Minneapolis. Inspections are invited and encouraged!

CONDITIONS: Winning this auction constitutes a legal and binding agreement between the Buyer, the Owner and the Selling Agents. Please bid sincerely and sensibly. Zero-feedback bidders must contact us first before bidding to establish some level of seriousness-of-intent; It's nothing personal, just business: We, and many others, have been stung on eBay Motors by too many dead-beat auction winners.

Vehicle is sold "As-Is and Where-Is". No warranty is expressed, implied or offered. Neither the Owner nor the Selling Agents can or will take any responsibility for this car after it leaves the premises.

PAYMENT: Buyer must make a $300 DEPOSIT by PayPal within 24 hours of the Auction Close. The Deposit will secure the Deal for all Parties involved. Failure to make Deposit within 24 hours will risk Cancellation of the Sale at Discretion of the Owner and Sellers. BALANCE MUST BE PAID within 5 BUSINESS DAYS of sale by SECURE PAYMENT. Accepting US FUNDS via WIRE TRANSFER, CERTIFIED BANK CHECK, or CASH at PICK-UP. DEPOSIT is NON-REFUNDABLE except under exceptional conditions granted by Seller's sole discretion.

Deposit will be payable to this eBay seller, via PayPal, and the final balance will be made directly to the titled owner of the car (wire transfer preferred, but certified bank check or cash at pick up is also acceptable)

TRANSPORT: Buyer is responsible for all transportation arrangements and costs. This vehicle is garaged in Plymouth, Minnesota 55441, about ten minutes west of downtown Minneapolis. We do not offer quotes on shipping. There are many vendors to choose from offering vehicle transport. We will work with any transport company you choose, and we will take photos for you of your car being loaded (bth for posterity and for pecae of mind!) ALL EXPORT SALE DETAILS MUST BE ARRANGED BY THE BUYER, though we can recommend a freight forwarder if you like.

STORAGE: While the Auction Winner sorts out pick-up or transport arrangements, Seller can offer, free of charge, dry indoor storage for up to 30 days after auction termination. Longer periods can be arranged at cost if necessary. Seller cannot accept any liability during this storage period; our due diligence will be to take every reasonable precaution to keep the vehicle sheltered, dry and safe.

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