1987 Jaguar XJS

XJS Coupe

5.3L 12 Cylinder Gasoline Fuel

Automatic

SAJNV5847HC138545

Gasoline

This 1987 Jaguar XJ-S was my daily driver. I'd love to say nothing but good things about this car, but it seriously needs a lot of help. If you are looking for a restoration project, or you need a lot of parts to help complete your project, this could be the perfect car for you. When I purchased it, there were a few rust spots in the typical Jaguar places, but it ran well, with just a few quirks. I focused my attention on making it a solid and reliable daily driver, and planned to deal with the paint, rust, and interior when I could afford it. A few years ago I purchased another car, so that I could take this Jaguar off the road, and do a complete restoration. Time and money got the better of me, and sadly, this car has been sitting in the driveway patiently waiting, while the elements took their toll. I had been starting the car on a regular basis, and taking it out for a run a few times a month, but those intervals became greater and greater. The battery is completely dead, and will not hold a charge. The ugly part: This car has rust in both doors, the the right front fender, the rear wheel wells, and the flying buttress. The drivers door handle broke, and the door will not open from the outside. I had been opening the passenger door, and reaching across to open the drivers door from the inside, or reaching through an open drivers side window, to open the door. (I had planned on buying two rust free doors on ebay as part of the restoration... they're out there for around a hundred dollars a piece, so I lived with this inconvenience for a while, believing that I would restore this car any day) The passenger door lock broke, and the passenger door will no nonger open. This meant that I had to leave the drivers side window down far enough to be able to reach inside and open the door. It also meant that I couldn't leave the car sitting in a public parking lot all day... so I parked it in the driveway... planning a restoration that I no longer have the time or energy to undertake. I used to put plastic over the half open window, but the wind would blow it off now and then, letting rain water spray on the drivers seat... the sheep skin seat cover got soaked, and trashed... I'd assume the leather seat is in the same condition. (The leather door panel on the drivers side is trashed by the rain) The Florida Sun has baked the leather of the rear seat. I don't know whether a hide restoration kit will bring it back to it's soft supple texture or not It's Ugly... plain and simple. I parked it with good intentions, and it has been sitting there rusting in position for far too long. It is time to admit that I'll never get around to restoring it, and let this car move on to a good home, where someone will bring it back to life, or put it's many good parts to use.