2025-04-18 23:45:31 | pauls writes:

Car at auction 4/25

www.tradeclassics.com/auctions/jaguar/1988-jaguar-xjs-3/

Auction description:

1988 Jaguar XJ-S Coupe

Time Warp Condition | Original Owner | Only ~11,965 miles | Garaged Since New

11,965 miles on clock

Transmission 4-Speed Automatic

Engine 3.6-litre

Location Castle Bromwich, West Midlands

This has to be a unique opportunity to obtain one of the most original 3.6-litre XJ-S coupes we have encountered. It was bought new in 1988 from Evans Halshaw Birmingham by its current owner and lived its whole life within a 20-mile radius of its Browns Lane birthplace. It has been exceptionally well looked after and has a recorded mileage of just ~11,965 miles.

My wife asked me to buy a family car but I came home in this!

Alan ordered the car during the 1987 Christmas holiday and brought the car home in the New Year. It has been used sparingly over the past ~37 years and only infrequently in the last few years.

Garaged throughout its life, it has been to a few local classic car shows, where its originality and condition always attracted welcome attention. At a show, the car brought tears to the eye of a former Browns Lane assembly worker.

After many years of being part of the family, the car's lack of use and Alan's decreasing mobility are forcing the sale of the XJ-S.

There are no issues in regards to the exterior metalwork - the panels are free from corrosion, and asides from two minor treatable dings on the driver's door and rear wing below the rear offside window, the panels are in impressive condition.

All the panels are flush to the body with even shut lines. The doors open and close without problems, although the bonnet struts will need replacements.

Of course the structure of the car is in great shape - the underside, inner wheel wells, engine bay, boot floor and suspension mounts are solid throughout.

The paint has a pleasing lustre, catching some mild swirls in the sunshine. The red colour is consistent throughout and asides from the odd minor mark, we didn’t see much in terms of road wear damage, chips or scratches.

The glass and seals are in great shape. All lights and lenses are in good condition too.

The chrome has lasted well, with mild signs of age spotted on the grille and tail light trim. The aerial rubber seal has perished. The bumpers are well mounted and provide a good fit to the body, just the rear offside corner rubber trim has a light scuff on it.