This is was my first XJ-SC Cabriolet, that I owned for several years, and it was this car that inspired me to create the XJS Soft Tops Club for everyone who is an enthusiast of these soft tops. I had only recently bought myself a 4.0 litre XJS Coupe and I was browsing through eBay and saw an XJ-SC Cabriolet still at its initial bid value. I always fancied having a soft top, and already loved my XJS so I put in a bid just above the starting price, so that I would be notified when it was sold and I would then have an idea of how much one would be.
Imagine my surprise when we were out shopping, sat down having a coffee and a cake, and my phoned pinged, not to tell me that it had sold and I was unsuccessful, oh no, this was to tell me that I'd won the auction and it was still at the starting price. I then had some explaining to do, as to why all of a sudden I now had two Jaguar XJS to try and fit on our already cramped driveway.
I thought what I'd bought was a bargain, and was in quite good condition, and at first glance was quite happy with my purchase. The car drove well and felt good on the road, even coping well with the speed-bumps near my home and was comfortable driving on the motorway too.
Only when I took it to my local Independent Jaguar Garage for a service did some of the underlying issues come to light. When the car went up on the ramp it allowed for a much closer inspection of the underside, and that's when a lot of the rust was discovered. Not only were there sections of the floor pan that were rotted and even had holes (all hidden from view by the carpets when checking from inside the car), but the front cross frame was in desperate need of replacement.
That's the point that the car began it's restoration journey under my ownership.
When I sold the car, via auction, the car was still in fine condition, though the paintwork that had looked so stunning when it had just been resprayed now had a few threats of rust showing through. The interior was neat and tidy, and the seats had been reconditioned into very comfortable and presentable condition.
Because the car had recently been resprayed I decided to remove the fabric from the Targa Panels which was rather tatty (they are fibreglass) and have all the area sprayed in the car's Signal Red.
I then discovered that under the fabric that was across the top of the windscreen it was starting to rust (common problem on all XJS models but made worse because of the Cabriolet's fabric layer), so decided to strip it all back.
The car has undergone a thorough restoration. There was a lot of serious rust and body rot, around the wheel arches and the passenger floor (front and back areas) and so these sections were cut out and new metal professional welded into place. <br>Also a replacement subframe was put on the car from a donor XJ-SC Cabriolet I owned (was break it for spares as too far gone to economically restore.
Once all the body work was complete the paint work was fully stripped, filled, prime and resprayed in the car's original Signal Red
This car has joined the XJS Soft Tops tour of the Isle of Man 3 times
The first trip was in May 2018, Friday 6th May to Monday 8th May, with a mixed group of XJS Soft Tops Club members and members of our Greater Manchester JEC Region.
We travelled from Heysham on the seacat ferry to Douglas in the Isle of Man and stayed in Ramsey in the North of the island.
We met up with other Jaguar Enthusiast who live on the island, and together over our 3 day visit we toured round many of the island's tourist spots.
The Laxey Wheel, Port Erin, Peel, Castletown and The Calf of Man to name just a few.
The weather was absolutely fantastic, which enabled us to enjoy a group meal sat outside in the sunshine in Laxey, after visiting the famous Victorian Wheel.
On the Saturday night the group ventured down to Peel and enjoyed a festive night, sat on the wall enjoying Fish and Chips watching the fireworks.
We returned back to England on Bank Holiday Monday, on the ferry from Douglas to Liverpool.
This car came with our XJS Soft Tops Tour group to the Isle of Man again, from Friday 3rd May to Bank Holiday Monday 6th May. Again our tour party was made up with members of the XJS Soft Tops Club and members of our Greater Manchester JEC Region.
Amanda and I took our XJS Convertible, while our son took our XJ-SC Convertible.
The group again met up with members of the Isle of Man Jaguar Enthusiast's Club and toured round the island over 3 days. We drove the complete circuit of the Isle of Man TT (which was being prepared with barriers being erected all around the course during our stay), and had photo opportunities at famous points on the course, including the start/finish grid.
We again visited the Isle of Man for the first Bank Holiday in May 2023, setting off from Heysham on Friday 28th April and return back to Liverpool on 1st May.
Amanda and I took our XJS Convertible, and our son Daniel again took this XJ-SC Cabriolet.
The group of 8 cars and 16 passengers (and 2 dogs), as in previous years, was made up with members of the XJS Soft Tops Club and members of our Greater Manchester JEC Region (Dave Lawrence, Pete Smith, Mike Serene, Jon Hollingworth). We stayed near the Ramsey Park Hotel this year.
We again visited many of the tourist and not so like tourist sites across the island, including the Laxey Wheel and the Isle of Man Car Museum. The weather this year was not as bright and sunny as it had been in previous years, and during the visit to the Calf of Man there was a need for warm coats and woollen hats - but it was worth it to watch the seals on the rocks.
We all returned on the Douglas to Liverpool Ferry.
