Description
This is my very rare 1986 V12 manual Jaguar XJS-C (targa top cabriolet), which has been fully restored and converted from auto to manual (Getrag 265 overdrive) using an XJS-C donor and Simply Performance conversion kit. The colour is Antelope Metallic, which is the original colour, though the car had a full respray last year.
The car was bought new by a local, well-known financial and horse racing personality - details above though his company. He later transferred it into his own name, and then to his wife, who I bought the car from after his death. He treasured the car and maintained it regardless of cost. The original owner covered around 100k miles within the first few years, driving it to Switzerland, and the rest was done over the next 30 years. It has always been garaged and is rust free with no hidden rot.
The mohair hood is new and was very expensive and incredibly difficult to fit and finish - it (as well as all the other roof sections) was made by Aldridge Trimming. Most original hoods that look good on these cabriolets tend to have rusty inners and fixings with brittle rear windows - the roofs (originally by Tickfords for Jaguar) are very complex and far more expensive to sort out than the later convertibles. The targa tops and roof frame have been re-covered in matching mohair and inner linings. I have the original rear bench but swapped in bespoke XJS-C rear seats as I have children. Apart from that the interior is good and original.
The front and rear suspension and brakes were fully rebuilt, refurbished and powder coated with all new bushes and adjustable front gas shocks. The original springs were all powder coated to retain the correct stance.
The engine has been refreshed and gone through thorougly. It was in excellent order already with no indication of wear or abuse. I have renewed the injector hoses, plugs, leads, gaskets, ignition, fuel system, vacuum advance, throttle pot, oil intercooler, thermostats, coolant hoses and everything else that needed to be done. The engine runs beautifully with no misses.
The heating and climate control (R134a) works fully, as do all of the electrics including the original cassette radio and electric aerial.
The car has a stock full stainless exhaust system from Simply Performance and the conversion to manual was done using their parts as well, they are the go-to for conversions to manual.
The car drives very well with good smooth gear changes. I have paperwork back to when the car was new, original complete tool kit, Jack, targa bag etc etc.
