2022-03-31 13:54:26 | pauls writes:

Car at auction 4/22
themarket.bonhams.com/us/listings/jaguar/xjs-40l-convertible/3e577f3f-62d1-417b- ...

Auction description:
Location: The Market HQ, Abingdon, United Kingdom
Seller Type: Trade
Odometer Reading: 41000
Chassis Number: SAJJNJDD3EJ184996
Engine: 3988
Gearbox: auto
Steering position: RHD
Color: Green
Interior: Grey
Estimated Price: £15,000 - £20,000
We are delighted to be offering for sale a 1992 XJS 4.0-litre convertible. The observant amongst you will already have spotted the square rear number plate, a clue to this lovely car’s early life.

The car was dispatched from the factory in November 1992, destination Japan. It remained there until being repatriated in October 2005. It covered very few miles.

It should also be noted that in most parts of Japan, they do not use salt or other chemical on the roads in colder weather. This clearly pays dividends when it comes to keeping their cars corrosion free.

The XJS was specced in a traditional colour, British Racing Green suiting the car rather well. According to the Heritage Certificate, this was originally paired with a tweedy interior, though this has been changed at some point for more suitable leather.

The last owner of the XJS enjoyed the car for over six years and from the raft of invoices, looks to have maintained it to a good standard.

Offered for sale on behalf of our trade seller, we are told the car drives well and as you can see from the pictures, looks superb. The low recorded mileage of just 41,071 should add to this car’s appeal.

So, if you fancy a summer of top-down fun, cruising the highways and byways, then this cool convertible should fit the bill.

On the Outside

As befits a car that has had a gentle life and clearly been looked after, the British Racing Green paints absolutely sparkles. Vibrant, rich in tone, it suits the car rather well. There are some stone chips, most noticeable on the bonnet. There are also some scratches to the paint close to the electric aerial.

Door shut lines are nice and even and down the sides there are no signs of any dings from car park injuries. Let us not forget that this car is thirty years old and wears its years well.

The chrome door mirrors are in great condition as are the door handles and bumpers. There are a few marks on the rubber trim on those big protective bumpers though.

The black hood was replaced in March 2020, at a cost of £2.576.40 and remains in excellent condition. A heated glass rear window ensures good visibility all year round and the many layers of insulation make for refined high-speed cruising when the roof is in place.

The smart alloy wheels look to be in reasonable condition with Falken tyres all round, each with plenty of tread. Two were new in 2017.

On the Inside

Magnolia leather, not only does it look good, but it also smells divine. It is in reasonable condition, with a little creasing to the seat bases, more noticeable on the driver’s side. The is also some wear to the offside bolster on that seat, not unusual. An occasional feed with hide food to keep them looking at their best is recommended.

In keeping with the gentleman’s club atmosphere of the interior is the wood dash and door inserts. The veneer does show its age in places with some noticeable cracks and fading.

The carpets are in good order, a sign of careful ownership.

There are plenty of toys to play with too. Cruise control for those long motorway jaunts and air conditioning to keep you cool.

Tunes are courtesy of a Grundig radio/cassette player and with it comes a Roy Orbison tape, though feel free to eject if he’s not your cup of tea!

The boot is spacious, with ample room for luggage should a continental touring holiday be on the cards and any excess bags can be stowed away behind the front seats. There’s a full-size matching spare, complete with the required Pirelli tyre. Also included in the sale is a CTEK trickle charger, ideal if the car is to be left parked up for any length of time.

The XJS is such a relaxing car to drive. Fire up the silky smooth six-cylinder engine, engage drive with the spindly gear lever, release the fly-off handbrake and waft. If there is a better way to cover ground quickly, all the while cossetted by the soft seats, we would like to know it.

Underneath

We are not sure we have ever seen an XJS with such a lovely undercarriage. Take a look at the pictures in our extensive photo gallery and prepare to be impressed. Some surface dirt is visible, but that’s about it. Clearly a life spent on unsalted Japanese roads has helped and we suspect the car has been a summer plaything since it returned to the UK.

You won’t be surprised to read that the engine compartment is in tiptop order too. The mighty 4.0-litre engine sits proud and there is a lot to take in. It’s a tried and tested unit, fitted to many a fine Jag over the years. Smooth, refined and powerful, it is the pick of the engines fitted to the XJS.

All the signs of careful maintenance are there, and we cannot spot anything untoward.

We are told the automatic gearbox is a smooth operator, suiting the XJS rather well.

History Highlights

In our picture gallery you will find a little history of the car’s life in Japan. We don’t speak the language, but from past experience, we would say that wealthy Japanese car owners do tend to take good care of the prized motor cars.

Of more interest no doubt is the car’s more recent history. The last MoT was carried out in July 2021, the XJS passing with no advisories. The recorded mileage was 40,953, with only a couple of hundred miles covered since. There are also plenty of old certificates should you be so inclined to read them.

We’ve already mentioned the replacement hood, but other works carried out buy the car’s last owner included a new battery, radiator and thermostat in 2017.

In 2020 the car was serviced, and new front brake pads and a brake pressure accumulator were fitted.

The car comes complete with an XJS handbook and a parts and service manual.

There is currently only one key, though a Jaguar main dealer should be able to supply more if required.