Lot 334: Jaguar XJ-SC V12 Cabriolet

Jaguar's first response to demands for an open-top XJ-S was somewhat conservative in engineering terms. The XJ-S had not been designed with an open version in mind, so a Targa-style arrangement was adopted for the Cabriolet, which retained a substantial roll hoop in the interests of maintaining rigidity in the absence of a fixed roof. Two removable roof panels were stored in the boot, and the Cabriolet did away with the Coup�'s two occasional rear seats in favour of a pair of luggage lockers topped by a parcel shelf. Essentially an exercise in niche marketing to test public reaction, the XJ-S Cabriolet's production was entrusted to outside specialist contractors, with bodyshells being transported back and forth across the Midlands before returning to the Brown's Lane factory prior to final despatch. Introduced in 1983, the cabriolet lasted until 1987, when it was replaced by a conventional convertible, but returned to the range in 1991 powered by the new 4.0-litre AJ6 engine. Manufactured by Jaguar in February 1988, this car is the very last of the original Cabriolet models made and was immediately turned over to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust. Finished in Crimson Red with Doe skin interior. Offered with MoT to June 2010, V5C registration document and mileage stands at just 1,677 miles.