On this page: 1975 - 19811982 - 19911992 - 19941995 - 1996Tuners & CustomsComments
A brief overview of the Jaguar XJ-S by Geoffrey Green, author of a forthcoming book about the model.
A V12, 2+2 coupe with flying buttresses, black rubber bumpers, alloy wheels, white walls, matt black trim, petrol injected, leather finished, the 150 mph luv machine... Hi there! Would you like to ride in my XJS… Of course it will start! Hey, where are you going?
1975 - 1981
A Jaguar made with mathematical aerodynamic study as the prevalent design factor and government safety regulations determining front and rear profiles. Sir William Lyons made minor changes to Malcolm Sayer's design. Nothing like it before and nothing like it since. The XJS becomes more beautiful as time passes combining the rounded shape of the previous jaguars and the sharp edges of the later 21st century Jaguars. Manufacturing began in 1975 as a 1976 Model Year continuing for 20 years until 1996.
Pre-H.E. XJS. 1976 to 1981 with UK lighting (no front sidemarkers)--always available as a coupe.
This first model affectingly named "preHEstoric" by David Cleary, however we call it the pre-H.E. Only available as a coupe with either a manual transmission or automatic gearbox. Soon the manual was dropped. Extremely quiet and smooth at speed the XJS is the perfect touring car.
Special variants Cannonball Edition
1982 - 1991
H.E. Coupe 1982 to 1991 US lighting.
For 1982 John Egan gave Jaguar customers what they wanted by adding wood trim to the interior, more leather everywhere, chrome trim on the bumpers and windows, better fuel mileage and increased the speed. Swiss engineer Michael May's "Fireball" combustion chamber, lean fuel mixture, high compression design increased fuel mileage by 20% along with a higher rear gear ratio, higher compression and better fuel management. This model is known as the H.E. for High Efficiency. A cabriolet became available.
H.E. Cabriolet 1986 to 1988 US lighting.
An inline 3.6 liter six cylinder with either a manual or automatic could be had. A convertible was produced bringing an end to the cabriolet model.
H.E. Convertible 1989 to 1991, continued with facelift model.
TWR Racing, not missing a beat, applied their winning Touring Car fame to an XJS street car for the owner who wanted a faster firmer XJS. You could pick from a menu or have it all in any XJS available including your car, 6 or 12 cylinder. This lead to the partnership with Jaguar on the XJR-S.
JDHT cars, front to back: TWR Group A, preHE, last convertible, Daimler Coupe, last V12 coupe.
Special variants H&E, Celebration, Le Mans, Collection Rouge, Collection Classic, XJR-S
1992 - 1994
In 1992 a complete reworking of the car became the Facelift model. Different lights, most noticeably the rear, a new grill design, a change to the rear quarter windows, elimination of door vent windows and a round fuel filler door on the coupe. The interior received new round instruments with wood surround and color keyed dash. The six cylinder was increased to 4.0 liters. The V12 was soon increased to 6.0 liters.
Special variants XJR-S, Insignia
1995 - 1996
New Convertible 1995 to 1996 US lighting
Lastly in 1995 the New XJS model completed the line with body colored front and rear bumper covers and 16 inch alloy wheels. Manufacturing ended in 1996 with 115,413 produced.
Special variants Insignia, Celebration
Tuners and Customs
Over the years many Tuners, Customizers and Conversion companies have modified the XJS to make it look better, go faster and have more room inside. Some of these include: Lynx Eventor, Turbo and Convertible, Lister and Lister Le Mans, PBB Monaco, TWR (of course), Appleyard Special edition, Guy Salmon Special Edition, HandsHyper, Koenig, Arden, Hess & Eisenhardt for Jaguar Cars Inc.
An XJS won the North American Trans-AM manufacturers title in 1978 and the Group A manufacturers title in the European Touring Car Championship in 1984.
One event an XJS set the record for was the Cannonball Run. A non-stop (except for gas) crossing of the US from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Coast run five times. In April 1979 Dave Heinz and Dave Yarborough won in 32 hours and 51 minutes (about 87 mph) beating many models of exotic and modified cars and trucks, a record that still stands. Giving rise to the Cannonball Edition.
Last two XJSs.
End of the line.
You may leave a comment or question about this article:
2007-10-10 21:04:41 | Anonymous writes:
Why do all the pics. I see of a Cabriolet, show it as a full convertible? Mine isn't. It has two removable panel above the driver/passenger, a centre "roll bar" and a drop down canvas rear portion.
2007-11-04 21:22:14 | Bob writes:
The smoothest car. A head turner thru all the neighborhoods I drive. 94 XJS Convetrible Oyster with Brown top... I consider the color gold/champagne with Brown top
2008-05-25 01:00:52 | Clive Collins writes:
The picture of the "Cabriolet" is actually an H&E conversion car not a cab. You can easily spot an H&E car because it is a modified cabriolet and has quarter lights in the front door glass. The later factory convertibles had one piece door glass. BTW The cabriolets were made by Tickford of England converted from a standard coupe.
2008-07-08 06:42:34 | simon cooksey writes:
Hi everyone, I have been looking to buy an XJ-S and have been offered an 'insignia' model. Can someone fill me in on more detail exactly what this model was? Thanks Si. This will be the second XJ-S I will have owned, already having a 1980 white early rubber bumper model. My daily driver is a V8 XJR, so I love my Jags. Cheers Guys
2008-09-05 17:27:03 | bleasie writes:
To Clive,
Only about 150 of the 5014 Cabriolets were made by Tickford.
They were taking too long to Complete in some cases over a year between Trim date & Comp date.
so Jaguar started to do them in House.
2008-09-14 03:44:38 | bleasie writes:
As you say why do people claim they have a Cabriolet when it is in fact a Convertible.
It seems to be the norm in the States, like wise Jaguar never ever made an E type Convertible.
There are currently about 20 so called Cabriolets for sale but at the end of the day they are not.
Bleasie International Cabriolet Register
Jaguar Cars Approved.
If you have one please get on touch.
we need to find the missing 35.
2008-10-05 17:23:21 | bleasie writes:
Having just got back from JDHT updating their Data Base.
To my surprise I had to remove details supplied by Owners whose cars were in fact COUPE's
How do you mistake a Coupe for a CABRIOLET??????
2009-01-06 14:13:33 | Dawn writes:
I own a Jaguar 1978 XJS Cabriolet and yes it is a cabriolet (a soft top with a roll cage) and not the coupe (hard top) but its approximately 5 years before Jaguar brought out a cabriolet. I know that Lynx did a Jaguar XJS convertible in 1978 the spider but this is a true convertible (soft top minus roll cage) did Lynx also produce a cabriolet version or were their conversion kits to convert to cabriolet or convertibles or were both options available? I also know another company Crayford were also doing XJS convertibles did they also do cabriolets. Mine is a very professional conversion and would like to know its history. Dawn
2009-04-19 10:09:57 | XJS AND ME writes:
I'm 70 Y/O.
I've owned more cars than I can remember.
Presently, I own a two seater '93 XJS convertible in 4.0 6.
It is a metallic black cherry which shows as a deep purple in bright sunlight.
It is absolutely the smoothest and most elegantly beautiful car I have ever owned.
I will ALWAYS either keep this wonderful ride or another like it.
I did add a rear spoiler on the trunk lid and, it came with Dayton wire wheels.
I'll be looking for one of those small motorcycle trailers to tow with it as, there is very little trunk space and, those trailers tow as if they're not there and are great for trips.
This big cat lives in the garage here in the ugly WI winters.
2009-06-21 13:48:26 | Mike G writes:
I have had 30 Cars and 1 SUV. Two of the cars were 1969 XKE convertibles (God, they were great cars) and one was a 1968 XKE coupe. The 31st is a 1994 BRG 4.0 XJS convertible and I love it. It is absolutely beautiful, fast and comfortable. Everywhere I go I get smiles an compliments - great car.
What I don't understand is why they are soooooo affordable. I bought my 94 on EBay for $8,500.00 with only 47,700 miles on it, and it runs like a top. Whenever I look, there are at least a dozen XJS coupes and convertibles up on auction and most are between $3,500.00 and $9,000. I think that any XJS is a great investment and the cars produced after Ford took over are just as reliable as any other car for the age and milage.
When do you think that people will begin to appreciate just how great this model is and when we will see the prices atart to approach XKE territory?
2009-07-10 15:05:33 | dux writes:
were forgetting Hess and Eisenhardt here...they were in this cabrio mix..........the best of these in the us werethe 94-6 sixes,for handling and reliability...i had met geoff Lawson and have been credited with persuading them,with contacts i had,in 91 ...to do this......vs the w107 sl's with sixes,natch....also the inspiration for the car,such a mystery..isnt ...in the best lyons tradition: its a kooler version of a Lambo 400..
probably Touring related....love to hear from folks...love em.!.like the XK 150,the smart mans Aston equal.....
2009-09-20 13:23:52 | Patty writes:
I own a 1988 XJS V12 Cabriolet. The front 2 hard tops lift out leaving the back hard top in place. The front two stow nicely in the trunk. The back hard top can also be removed for a complete convertable.
2009-09-22 00:50:30 | Martin Snytsheuvel writes:
Who in the world could not appreciate the XJR-S oor the wilder Lister XJS?
2010-01-02 19:34:10 | Erick writes:
I have a 1987 Hess&Eisenhardt V-12 convertable how many where made and how many are still on the road.
2010-01-21 00:57:02 | Donna writes:
I am looking to put sidepipes on my 1988 Jaguar XJS 5.3 and I was wondering where I might buy sidepipes that would fit. I find alot of sidepipes for Corvettes but no one seems to offer this modification for the XJS, it is though our lovely Jaguars don't exist. Sincerely, Donna
see my XJS on here when the moderators post it.
2010-02-19 07:19:58 | Bleasie writes:
Patty writes:
I own a 1988 XJS V12 Cabriolet. The front 2 hard tops lift out leaving the back hard top in place.
The front two stow nicely in the trunk.
The back hard top can also be removed for a complete convertable.
Where are you Patty get in touch jag92hot@aol.com
2010-02-23 17:40:52 | mike writes:
i to have owned many many cars in the past,lots of muscle,lots of imports. but i have owned a 1990 xjs convertible for 5 years now, and nothing else compares. im in my fifties now and this car has it all elegance style, beauty and power and grace. it gives me great pride to own it and many complements by everbody. when i was younger i would watch this old italian guy drive his masseratti around town, he was stylish and elegant and would always wish i could someday have a car and just cruise around on a sunny afternoon. my jag xjs is my dream come true. i purchased it from a drs wife who had grown tired of it. i offered her half of her original asking price. she at first turned me down but some months later called me and accepted. it has had alot of required upkeeep done and ive spent some dough... but its the best five thousand i ever spent for a CAR!!!!!!
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