Vehicle Description
1989 Jaguar XJS V12
Originally developed using the platform of the then current William
Heynes designed XJ saloon, the XJS was noted for its prominent rear
flying buttresses. The early styling was partially by Jaguar's
aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer - one of the first designers to apply
advanced aero principles to cars. Sayer died just before the XJS
body styling was frozen for production.
For consignment, a V12 luxury sports coupe which will get you down
the road quickly, and growl at you all at the same time. This cool
cat is highly optioned, runs quietly, and presents beautifully. If
you like leather, burl veneer, and the sound and smoothness of a
V12 engine, then you should look into this Jag well into the now
affordable range.
Exterior
The flying buttress B pillars are key to this car's design as is a
sleek body style with thin looks, yet a muscular stance which is
often seen on expensive European cars that are capable of high
speeds. Within this thin body style are dark blue straight panels
and good gaps as well as a set of dual headlamps upfront, bordered
on the bottom by an integrated chrome bumper with a black 5 MPH
crash bumper inserted and fog lights below. This holds true on the
rear of the car too, and the chrome is excellently preserved.
Around the corner designed tail/turn signal rear lights frame the
rear panel, and trunk rear deck. Chrome faux knock off wire wheels
are all around and are wrapped in like new all-season rubber. A few
faults are found in the paint, those being some dings, an
inconsistent paint application on the driver's lower rear quarter
panel and a small spot of chip off that has turned into rust
bubbling just above the rocker.
Interior
Bathed in gray leather door panels and front buckets and rear 2
plus 2 seat all present with no tears or major faults, just the
fine cracking that comes with age and some wear off of the driver's
upper bolster piping. A mixture of burl veneer adds highlight to
the door panels, accenting to the mid console, and personality to
the original dash where it is very prevalent. The burl on the
center console and the shift lever remains nearly showroom new. We
also see cruise control, power windows, seat heater controls, and
climate controls. Gray carpet floods the floors, and a headliner
which shows clean and tight is being held up by the factory wood
staves which run from door to door and curve upward with the
contour of the roof.
Drivetrain
The original 5.4-liter V12 engine showing slight patina and some
corrosion, sits tightly and snugly under the hood. Lucas/Bosch fuel
injection feeds the 12 cylinders, and a TH400 3-speed automatic
transmission is on back. Handling the horses from under the bonnet
is a rear axle weighing in with a 2.88 ratio.
Undercarriage
Underneath we can note some surface rust, but mostly structurally
sound metal on the unibody, and floor pans as well as the rockers.
Independent suspension is on all 4 corners, and power disc brakes
are also all around. We note a new ABS unit as well as a new right
front caliper.
Drive-Ability
This car started right up, and we were off to the test track. On
our way we made note of the power mirrors not working, the
passenger's window being off track, and the radio turned on but
read CODE, which our consignor let us know about and that he didn't
have the radio code. Overall though it was an impressive car, with
rail like handling, great performance on the acceleration and
handling front, and all in all very comfortable and a responsive
car to drive. Those V12 engines just run soooo smoooothly I am
always impressed with them. Especially when they are totally in
tune.
A great powerful cat with this V12 XJS, plenty of conveniences and
leather and burl. Flying buttress B pillars and thin body design
are sure hooks for the Jag aficionados, and this one in good
condition still has lots of life left to go outside, find the
nearest country road, and play! MEOW!
VIN DECODE
SAJNA5847KC152593
SAJ-Jaguar England
N-XJS
Y-Manual Belts
5-2 Door Coupe
8-5.3L V12
4-Automatic, Left Hand Drive
7-Check Digit
K-1989
C-Browns Lane, England Assy Plant
152593-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.