2008-08-05 17:52:41 | StevenD writes:

Car is listed on E-bay:

cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll

1991 JAGUAR XJ-S AUTO RED/BLACK (UNIQUE CAR BADGED XJX)
UNIQUE HATCHBACK CONVERSION AND ATTRACTIVE G.T. STYLING

Make:
Jaguar
Color:
Red

Model:
XJS
Engine size (cc):
3,590 cc

Type:
Coupe
Date of 1st Registration (DD/MM/YYYY):
Aug 02, 1991

Safety Features:
Anti-Lock Brakes, Back seat safety belts
Interior/Comfort Options:
Auxiliary heating, Leather Seats, Power-assisted Steering (PAS), Power locks, Power windows, Tilt Steering Wheel

Retired engineer offers for sale by auction (10 days highest bidder wins, sorry, no buy-it-now price, low reserve) his unique and treasured Jaguar XJ-S.




This XJ-S was carefully modified by the current owner (in 2005) by replacing the rear buttresses and in-set rear window with a hatch back tailgate in order to give the car a unique and stylish GT appearance, If you know your cars and look carefully, you may possibly recognise that the unlikely donor for the tailgate, surrounding frame and lights was a Citroen Xantia. The rear overhang of the car has been shortened, slightly limiting the boot space, and reducing the original cars overall length by 8”/200mm.



Prior to modification the car was in excellent mechanical condition but had the normal XJ-S rust spots (rear wheel arches etc), these were all cut out and replaced with new steel, mig welded in prior to etch priming and re-finishing with cellulose. At the same time the underside of the car and wheel arches were thoroughly undersealed and waxoiled were appropriate. Also the headlining, carpets, power steering, tyres, battery were all replaced plus many smaller items such as speedo, window seals, bonnet struts etc. The car was also given a full service and has done just 4,500 miles since. The cream leather upholstery piped red is in excellent condition showing absolutely no scuffs or tears. The correct lattice alloy wheels are all good with no corrosion showing. The car isn’t perfect, the air conditioning and auxiliary radiator fan are not functioning at present, though I haven’t found this a problem, also the paintwork, whilst really sound and looking good at a distance, is not up to best professional standards, probably I should have cut it back further before polishing.



The car drives superbly, has correct oil pressure, uses virtually no oil and shows no sign of fluid leaks anywhere. Shorter straight through rear silencers were fitted during the mods and this has resulted in a subdued but very pleasant exhaust note. The car has been kept garaged whilst in my ownership and has not been smoked in.



The car should be equally suitable for shows or every day use and has proved 100% reliable and surprisingly economical. I did the Jaguar Enthusiasts London Brighton run recently when it did 417 miles in the day and according to the in-car computer did 27.6 mpg overall including fast motorway work and 29.2 mpg on the relatively slow Brighton run. One photo shows the car at the finish.
The car does have some history with it, extracts showing it selling to second owner in 1993 at 8,700 miles for £20,500, 9 main dealer service stamps, the last at 94,555 miles, reconditioned diff fitted at 85,000miles etc., old MOT’s to 2004. The history indicates the true current mileage is between 105,000 and 115,000 miles, the second hand replacement speedo shows around 30,000. Two sets of keys, owner’s handbook and original toolbox, jack and good spare wheel are with the car.