1988 Jaguar XJS V12 Hess & Eisenhardt Cabriolet

Hess & Eisenhardt Limited Edition | New Power Steering Unit | Rebuilt Transmission

Extended Warranty
LOT #

240110160

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OFF MARKET VEHICLE
All the information and photos on this listing are from when this vehicle was originally listed on ExoticCarTrader.com
Make:
Model:
VIN:
SAJNV584XJC145026
Lot Number:
240110160
Condition:
Used
Odometer:
80,500 miles
(Exempt / TMU)
Engine:
5.3L V12
Drive Type:
Transmission:
Automatic
Exterior Color:
Champagne
Interior Color:
Tan
Vinyl Wrap:
Vehicle Location:
New York
  • 1988 MY Jaguar XJS V12 Hess & Eisenhardt Cabriolet
  • 3-speed automatic transmission
  • Current owner reports transmission rebuilt less than 500 miles ago
  • Current owner reports new power steering unit
  • Power operated Black convertible soft top
  • Independent suspension system
  • Power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes
  • Power-adjustable seats
  • Premium audio system
  • Alloy wheels
  • Hess & Eisenhardt limited edition
  • Current owner reports new brakes
  • Current owner reports new tires
  • Current owner reports recent oil change

Overview of 1988 Jaguar XJS V12 Hess & Eisenhardt Cabriolet For Sale by Owner

The Jaguar XJS is a refined luxury grand tourer from British car maker Jaguar. Produced between 1975 and 1996, the XJS has become something of a curio. Thanks to its eye-catching styling, flying buttresses, and growling V12 engine on some variants, it's definitely a classic car to have. While an official convertible was offered, American firm Hess & Eisenhardt was able to create a cleaner profile by specially converting XJS Coupes into Convertibles. This 1988 Jaguar XJS V12 Hess & Eisenhardt Convertible is one such example, and it's a pretty limited-edition car. Records are sparse, but it's widely believed that just 2,100 cars were converted in this manner. This example comes to you with 80,500 miles on its odometer and is ready for more, in all its power-operated soft-top glory.

Exterior and Interior

Suitably painted in Champagne color, this 1988 Jaguar XJS V12 Hess & Eisenhardt Convertible sports a contrasting black power-operated convertible top. Hess & Eisenhardt's genius means that the top completely folds down when lowered, rather than the official Jaguar unit which tends to leave an unsightly hump. To accomplish this Hess & Eisenhardt did quite a fair bit of engineering under the skin. They removed the single fuel tank and implemented a new dual-tank set-up. Then, they added steel reinforcements around the car to reduce the scuttle shake that's common on convertibles. They even installed weights behind the headlamps to dampen harmonic resonances. All this shows that Hess & Eisenhardt aren't just some backyard fabricator lot but a proper automotive engineering company. Hence, this 1988 Jaguar XJS V12 Hess & Eisenhardt Convertible is as good as a factory XJS convertible, albeit with a much cleaner profile when the top is down. It rolls on alloy wheels and wears new tires. Inside, you'll find a two-seat tan interior with a cargo shelf behind the seats. This car has climate control, power-adjustable seats, power windows, power mirrors, and cruise control. It also packs a Jaguar-branded premium audio system. You've also got a spacious trunk, highlighting the XJS' role as a grand tourer.

Engine

This 1988 Jaguar XJS V12 Hess & Eisenhardt Convertible packs the lovely 5.3L V12 engine that connoisseurs of the marque covet. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a 3-speed automatic transmission that's reportedly been rebuilt less than 500 miles ago. The car comes with power-assisted disc brakes on all four wheels, which reportedly sport new parts, and a new power steering unit. It also has independent suspension for the most comfortable ride. Finally, we're told that the engine has received an oil change.

Walk-around Video of this Jaguar XJS

Passenger side photo of 1996 Jaguar XJS

1996 Jaguar XJS Convertible

Current Ask
$11,200

The 1996 Jaguar XJS Convertible represents the final evolution of Jaguar’s iconic grand touring roadster, combining elegant British styling, luxurious appointments, and effortless cruising capability. This example has traveled 86,106 miles and is finished in Signal Red with a Tan interior and Tan convertible soft top, creating a timeless color combination that complements the XJS’s classic lines. Powered by Jaguar’s refined AJ16 inline-six engine, this XJS offers a smooth and comfortable driving experience while retaining the character and craftsmanship that defined Jaguar’s legendary grand touring cars. Additional features including wood interior trim, 15-inch alloy wheels, and the factory AM/FM cassette audio system complete this well-equipped example.

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Passenger side photo of 1991 Jaguar XJS

1991 Jaguar XJS Convertible V12

Current Ask
SOLD

Jaguar’s XJS spent more than two decades carrying the torch for the legendary E-Type, evolving into one of the most refined grand touring cars of its era. This 1991 Jaguar XJS V12 Convertible shows 52,140 miles and represents one of the final years of the facelifted pre-AJR6 V12 models. Finished in elegant Signal Red over a Black interior, this British luxury convertible combines timeless styling, smooth V12 power, and open-air touring capability. With its long hood, pillarless design, and turbine-smooth twelve-cylinder engine, the XJS remains one of the most distinctive grand tourers produced by Jaguar. Today, well-preserved V12 convertibles are increasingly appreciated by collectors for their combination of exclusivity, craftsmanship, and classic British character.

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Passenger side photo of 1983 Jaguar XJS

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Current Ask
SOLD

The Jaguar XJ-S was tasked with following one of the most iconic sports cars ever built, the E-Type, and it accomplished that challenge by carving out its own identity as a refined high-speed grand tourer. This 1983 Jaguar XJS Coupe represents one of the finest surviving examples of the model, showing just 14,878 miles from one owner. Finished in elegant Grosvenor Brown over a Biscuit leather interior, this V12-powered Jaguar remains remarkably preserved and is accompanied by its original documentation, a set of OEM factory wheels, and the original factory dual-beam headlights. Combining low ownership, exceptionally low mileage, and a highly original presentation, this XJS offers collectors an increasingly rare opportunity to acquire one of Jaguar’s most sophisticated grand touring coupes from the 1980s.

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2005 Jaguar S-Type 4.2 Vanden Plas

Current Ask
$11,500

The Jaguar S-Type blends traditional British luxury with the proportions and road manners of a modern sport sedan, and the Vanden Plas specification adds an extra layer of comfort and distinctive trim. This 2005 Jaguar S-Type 4.2 Vanden Plas shows 63,956 miles and is finished in Ebony over a Champagne interior. Highlights include the Vanden Plas Edition Package, premium leather seating with contrast piping, walnut wood veneer trim, a power rear sunblind, heated windshield, Xenon HID headlamps, and power-adjustable front seats. With its naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 and rear-wheel-drive layout, this S-Type delivers the refined, traditional Jaguar character enthusiasts expect from the marque.

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Passenger side photo of 2011 Jaguar XK

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Current Ask
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The 2011 Jaguar XK Convertible represents a distinctive era of Jaguar grand touring, pairing elegant British styling with a naturally aspirated V8 and an open-top layout designed for long-distance cruising as much as spirited driving. This example is finished in Caviar over a Warm Charcoal interior with a Black convertible soft top, a combination complemented by Ivory contrast stitching and Burl Walnut veneer trim. It also features 20-inch “Kasuga” multi-spoke alloy wheels and Jaguar’s hood leaper ornament, giving the car an especially classic Jaguar presentation. Showing approximately 138,756 miles, this XK offers the traditional formula of a front-mounted V8, rear-wheel drive, and a luxurious two-door convertible body.

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Passenger side photo of 2000 Jaguar XK8

2000 Jaguar XK8 Convertible

Current Ask
$25,900

The 2000 Jaguar XK8 Convertible captures the elegant grand-touring character that made Jaguar’s XK series so distinctive at the turn of the millennium. Showing 52,123 miles, this example is finished in Topaz Metallic over an Oatmeal leather interior with a beige convertible soft top. Its specification blends classic British luxury with desirable period equipment, including burl walnut interior trim, the Alpine Premium Sound System, a Compact Disc Autochanger, Jaguar Integrated Navigation, and chrome-plated 18-inch wheels. With its long hood, flowing bodywork, and open-top configuration, this XK8 delivers the kind of understated presence that has aged especially well.

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