Vehicle Description
This 1986 Jaguar XJS restomod is one of those cars that you've
always thought about owning but never quite got around to buying
one. Well, now is unquestionably the time, as they're finally
seeing some gains in the market, proving once again that quality
and style will always be able to find enthusiasts willing to
appreciate them. Better yet, this one has a Chevy 5.7L V8 in it,
eliminating just about all the reasons you have to not own a
vintage Jag. Looks and performance? Come and get it!
These cars aren't your run-of-the-mill imports, but for those of us
who love them, they're just flat-out gorgeous. The XJS was
ground-breaking when it hit the market, and following up the E-Type
is no easy task, but this car has withstood the test of time. Still
elegant and upscale, it doesn't look dated or clumsy after all
these years, and by 1986, it had been trimmed out to look very
sleek indeed. Wearing bright red paint, this one has a traditional
look that belies the modifications underneath, and it shows off the
lean bodywork to great effect. The flying buttress C-pillars are as
dramatic today as ever and it's much longer than you'd expect. The
rub strips on the flanks help protect the vulnerable sheetmetal,
which is perhaps why this one has stayed so straight. Big
chrome-and-rubber bumpers and heavy metal door handles glitter in
the sun and give you an impression of permanence and wealth, which
is entirely the point.
Interiors are what the British have always done best, and the
lovely black hides in this Jag don't disappoint. Aside from a small
crack in the dash, an area exposed to sun where small signs of use
shouldn't be a surprise, it's just beautifully presented with an
air of elegance and comfort throughout. Anything that looks like
wood actually is real wood, including the steering wheel (an
aftermarket piece but very appropriate) and burled walnut on the
dash. The seats are all-day comfortable, and the upholstery is so
nice it's obviously been redone in the not-too-distant past, and
the plush carpets and beautiful matching door panels are equally as
nice. Big, round gauges have a clean, crisp look and that slender
shifter inside the center console looks almost too delicate to
manage the 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission that lives
underneath (the swap was easy because Jags used GM transmissions
when they were new). There's an AM/FM/CD stereo in the dash, which
seems to be the only notable alteration inside, with cold A/C,
power windows and locks, a tilt wheel, and cruise control rounding
out the options list. The rear seat accommodates two, and the trunk
is a great size with a matching spare tire stowed in its own fitted
bag.
The 5.3 liter V12 is gone, replaced by an even more powerful and
efficient 5.7L TPI Chevrolet V8. There's now plenty of room for
service in there and the reliability of the Chevy can't be beat.
They used block-hugging headers and a true dual exhaust for an
awesome soundtrack, so it sounds more like a Camaro, and with a
fuel-injected V8 under the hood it can hang with one out on the
street as well. A polished intake manifold, Edelbrock valve covers,
HEI ignition, and an aluminum radiator with dual electric fans all
help with reliability. The swap looks quite professional and the
car runs and drives like it should. The suspension is still supple,
the power 4-wheel disc brakes are still powerful, and it's a
superlative highway cruiser with a wonderful blend of sport and
comfort with a tight power steering system. Handsome late-model
wheels are swapped in from a modern Jag and carry 245/40/18
performance radials for an aggressive look.
Is it a sleeper? Hard to say. It remains a joy to drive, affordable
to maintain, and with the values going up, you'll finally be in the
right place at the right time. Call today!
