1988 Jaguar XJS Hess & Eisenhardt Ed.

Description

A beautiful British V12 convertible with a great golden glow. So yes, this 1988 Jaguar XJS is the perfect car for discerning tastes, so we'll keep the affordable price a secret.

People who know Jaguars realize this is a special machine. That's because there were no factory XJS full convertibles before 1989. This one is from when coachbuilder Hess & Eisenhardt were authorized by Jaguar to create special drop-top version of their luxury sports car. So when you're looking for distinction, this is already one of likely less than 1,000 crafted by the coachbuilder. Distinction is exactly why you want an XJS in the first place. The long hood and the low-slung body were subtle hints at the company's sporting history. The gold paint has a prestigious hue. It coordinates nicely with the shine of the bumpers as well as the tone of the beige folding roof. This is a full package that always conveys thoughtful elegance the moment it arrives.

Inside, Jaguar proves its reputation for craftsmanship and style. The taupe leather buckets look great with the top down, because just like the other elements, the hue coordinates nicely with the exterior gold. These seats combine with deep wool carpets and real burled walnut trim to make one of the most attractive interiors of the decade. Sporty easy-to-read gauges are fitted in the dash, and ahead of that is the traditional and stylish dual spoke steering wheel. Your hands are just within reach of plenty of original luxury features, including cruise control, power locks, telescoping wheel, and the factory AM/FM/cassette stereo. There has been a solid investment in the wiring the last few years to keep everything in top condition. This car features power windows and a power convertible top, so you never have to leave the driver's seat to go from enclosed luxury to a wind-in-your-hair experience. Because there are also heated seats and upgraded R134a air conditioning, you can stay comfortable with the top-down nearly any time of year.

This car's correct 5.3-liter V12 engine provides the kind of effortless performance that you'd expect from Coventry's biggest cat. We have $20k of receipts within the last few years to really ensure that this torque-filled powerhouse is also smooth runner. It makes for a terrifically balanced package that love to confidently pull away from every stoplight, and there's always plenty in reserve for highway passing. It's mated to one of the stoutest transmissions around sourced from GM, and so the three-speed is both strong and smooth. But this is more than just a good drivetrain. The XJS runs on a fully independent suspension that has been built to balance luxury cruising with spirited driving. This is reinforced by power steering, cruise control, and the four-wheel disc brakes with inboard rear ones.

Complete with the owner's manual, this distinctive XJS is the right droptop for those who want to look like a million bucks, but only want to spend a fraction of that. So if you love value and distinction, call today!