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Image Left 1989 XJ-S
 

1990 Jaguar XJ-S news, pictures, and information

Convertible
Chassis Num: SAJTW4848LC175370
 
Sold for $19,250 at 2009 Worldwide Auctioneers.
This 1990 Jaguar XJS was once owned by television comic actor and comedian, Don Adams. One of his more famous role was the bumbling, incompetent, clueless secret agent Maxwell Smart in the 1965 classic sitcom/spy spoof 'Get Smart.' It ran for five seasons brining Adams worldwide fame.

This vehicle is a specially optioned Classic Collection model that includes such upgrades as leather-covered shift knob, burl elm veneer, and piping on the seats. There are special badges, a fuel-injected 5.3-liter V-12 engine and a three-speed automatic transmission. It is painted in brilliant Signal Red and has a tan leather interior with red piping. Many options came standard on this convertible including air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual power seating with adjustable heat system, wood trim column, driver airbag, security system, traction control, rear defogger, fog lights, intermittent wipers, AM/FM sound system, cruise control, power steering, and full leather interior surface area.

The odometer shows just 48,257 miles since new. Don Adams was the second owner.

In 2009, this XJS Convertible was offered for sale at the Houston Classic Auction presented by Worldwide Auctioneers in Seabrook, Texas. The lot was estimated to sell for $15,000 - $25,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $17,500 plus buyer's premium. Bidding had begun at $10,000 and took 11 bids to reach the $17,500 mark.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2009
The Jaguar factory was founded long before the Jaguar brand became first used in 1945. The foundation of the firm was first set in 1922 by William Lyons and William Walmsley in Blackpool, England. The name was originally Swallow Coachbuilding, Co and got its start by constructing motorcycles and sidecars. Eventually they moved on to building bodies based on the Austin Seven chassis. The name of the company was changed during the 1930's to SS car Ltd when their own SS were being produced. Following World War II the name was dropped and changed to Jaguar Cars Ltd. Jaguar took over British Daimler in 1960, and from that point on Jaguar utilized the name of Daimler for its elegant and superior models.

The Jaguar XJ was designed in 1968 and has continued on today, though it has evolved in many ways. It was three years later in 1971 when a V12 engine was added to the Jaguar E-Type. The only twelve-cylinder engine in the world at the time, it was later also added in the Daimler Double Six and the Jaguar XJ 12. Also available as a convertible, the XJS became available during the mid-seventies. A luxury GT coupe from Jaguar, the Jaguar XJ-S was the replacement to the legendary Jaguar E-Type in September of 1975.

Based on the XJ saloon, it was developed as the XK-F though very dissimilar from its predecessor. A competent grand tourer, it was much more aerodynamic than the e-type. It was produced until April 4, 1996. The V12 version came with the choice of either automatic transmission of manual, though the manual was eventually dropped. Able to reach a top speed of 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, the XJ-S could accelerate to 150 mph.
Winning the series' 1977 manufacturers' championship cup, the Group 44 racing teach designed a successful Trans Am race car that was based on the XJ-S. Unfortunately, the vehicle was not launched on the market at a good time as the economy was struggling through the wake of the first fuel crisis. A vehicle never released into production was the sporty show car based on XJ-S mechanicals by Pinninfarina in 1979.

Receiving a new High-Efficiency engine, the 1981 XJ-S HE was now the fastest automatic-transmission car in the world at 155 mph. A year later the V12 XJ-S achieved the first and second at the Tourist Trophy race at Silverstone. A cabriolet version debuted as a new 3.6-litre Jaguar AJ6 engine was added to the line-up. In 1985 a V12 XJ-SC was released.

XJS driver Armin Hahne and John Hoss won the James Harie Bathurst 1000 motor race in Australia in 1985. To celebrate Jaguar's win at Le Mans, a special XJR-S version on the V12 5.3 litre car was released in 1988. The vehicle cae with a unique factory-fitted body kit, alloy wheels and minor performance modificaions. At one point Jaguar did consider producing a luxury Daimler version, but unfortunately was never put into production.

The British company Lynx sold a high-quality four-seat full convertible conversion throughout the entire life of XJ-S. Producing around 75 hand-built two-door estate/shooting brake/station wagon versions of the XJS, Lynx marketed these models under the 'Lynx Eventer'. This model was a success due to the removal of the ‘flying butresses' which were so unpopular with the XJ-S models. Though Jaguar was encouraged to market their own version of this vehicle, they never did. Re-engineered in 1991 with a substantial face-life, the vehicle was renamed the XJS. The new vehicles incorporated body styling updates, the adoption of the AJ6 4.0 litre engine rather than the 3.6 litre version and a totally redesigned interior.

Aiming for a smoother and more contemporary look, nearly 40% of the vehicles body panels were changed including the rear wings, sills, doors and boot. The 4.0 litre Convertible in the XJS line was introduced the following year and featured a driver's side airbag. This new facility made Jaguar the first UK company that offered this. The car now had larger rear windows, the main detail that did not change was the flying buttresses which the designer Geoff Lawson argued were ‘part of the car's character'.

The V12 was increased to 6 litres in 1993, and the vehicle received a new 4-litre version of the AJ6. Two years later several revisions were made to the 4-litre AJ6 engine. The substantial revisions were meant to highlight the major differences between the AJ16 abd the original AJ6. Now the vehicle was fitted with new rear brakes and fitted with outboard rear disc brakes. The introduction on XK8, production of the XJS came to an end in 1996.

By Jessica Donaldson
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Image Left 1989 XJ-S
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