Hello, I'm extremely new to cars, especially collector's/classic cars, I'm mostly a motorcycle man. I've recently come across a white 1988 XJ-S V12 non-convertible. Is that the proper way to identify it? Yeah, I'm that new :) Anyway, everything on it is original, and there are some things I *want* to change on it, however if changing them is a huge deal I'd avoid doing so. The car is currently pearl white with red leather. The front seats need to be re-upholstered which I plan on doing. I really don't care for white cars, so i wanted to have it repainted to a darker color. I had black in mind, a really glossy black, or maybe a gray/silver or some other dark color, anything but white really. I love chrome rims, so I was thinking of getting chrome wheels too, but If I can't get any other Jaguar rims I'll keep the alloy rims I have. I also wanted to put in a really good sound system with CD player and everything, not a ground shaking system, bu7t something modern. A few of the interior wood panels need to be redone, and stuff eneds to be cleaned, but basically that is it.

My main question is, given those thigns that I want to change, would that really bring down the collector's value of the car? Should I not do it? I live in a really sunny area, so would doing something like tinting the back windows also bring down the value? I just need some help here since I'm so new to this thing. I really want the car broguht into line more to my liking (i.e. color, sound system, chrome wheels, maybe tint) but not at the expense of destroying the collector's value of the car. So all in all will changing the things I've mentioned destroy the value of it? Please I'd love your opinions, thank you.

Submitted by NE52-32043 on Wed, 07/16/2003 - 13:32

Gabe,

As the former owner of a 1989 XJS Coupe (British Racing Green/tan interior), I have a few thoughts to share. I generally agree with the comments made by Pascal and Warren. As Pascal points out, the XJS is far from reaching the status of collector car. First, there were lots of them made and imported to the US. Many have been well used and are not in "pristine" condition. Also, the XJS did not find great favor with most Jag-lovers as it was viewed as the "ugly duckling" successor to the E-type. It is, however, now more widely accepted as a good car with a good design. The '88, like my former '89, is a pre-facelift car, which most people consider to be more desirable.

Two thoughts on modifications: In terms of "collectors", doing anything other than absolute original restoration destroys the car as a "collector car." There's nothing wrong with changing things -- Lord knows I did it to mine -- but a true collector wants a really original car, or one that has been restored to original standards. If you change anything, like the sound system, keep the original so it is available some day if someone wants to put the car back in original form.

Second, while doing things like re-upholstering (with an original quality kit) is a good thing to do, changing the color of the paint is not. It is virtually impossible to have all the little nooks and crannies of the car painted to the new color, so it will always be very apparent that the car was painted. More importantly, and don't take this the wrong way, this car simply isn't worth the cost of having a first class paint job done on it to change the color. Late '80's XJS's, especially the coupes, are so inexpensive right now that you'd be better off buying one the color you want rather than buying this car and changing the color. IMHO

If you're looking for a fun car to drive and want to put it the way you want it, and don't care about resale values down the road, collector or otherwise, buy the car, have it painted, and have fun. If you are worried about the future value or want a car as an investment as a future collectible, buy an absolutely pristine car with the absolute lowest mileage possible, store it properly, and wait 20 more years.

Also, have you had this car checked by a knowledgeable Jaguar mechanic? Not your local neighborhood garage. By someone who knows Jaguars, knows XJS's, and especially knows V-12 engines. These cars are prone to a number of serious mechanical problems included overheating and the related internal damage that can cause to the engine. And they are NOT cheap to repair (ask me how I know). Rather than focusing on the color and the leather seats, look under the bonnet, check the suspension, engine, wiring, etc. Make sure you don't have significant mechanical issues to deal with. A dropped valve seat from overheating will cost you many times more to remedy than having the car re-upholstered and repainted combined.

That said, if you buy it, enjoy it! They are great cars to drive, especially on the open road.

Steve Weinstein, JTC-NJ
'72 E-type 2+2
'70 XKE FHC
Former owner '89 XJS Coupe

Submitted by warren.hansen@… on Tue, 07/15/2003 - 22:20

Gabe,

Owning and driving (especially driving!) a Jaguar can be a wonderful experience. Once you get a feel for what that means you might find that you want your car to respect certain norms, but that in no way means that you shouldn't personalize it. Pascal has given you some valid guidelines, but I wonder how original a 1988 Jaguar with pearl white paint and red leather upholstery is in the first place. (There are paint and interior codes on the car's registration plate that will enable you to verify what the colors were when the car left the factory.)

You should be able to upgrade the sound system easily enough, and window tinting can easily be removed. There are good-looking Jaguar chrome wheels available (5-spoke alloys would look terrific on the XJ-S). When all is said and done, the resale value of a Jaguar will always be greater when the car is well-presented and free of rust! Collector value, on the other hand, will only be high for a car in original finishes and details, or restored to original. So given the cost of a high-quality repaint, you might as well invest your time in searching for a car that starts off in a color you like, and then add your sound and wheel upgrades.

Regards,
Warren Hansen
70 E-Type FHC "Silver Bolide"
96 X300

Submitted by pascal@jcna.com on Tue, 07/15/2003 - 21:53

It's a Coupe...

generally minor and reversible modifications will not affect the value of a classic Jaguar and even less a modern one.

The XJS is not yet a classic or collectible , although some will argue they will be in the future. They were a lot of them made, of course the numbers are low compared to mass production cars, but for "collectible" that's a lot.

As long as you stay away from the tacky stuff (gold trim, neon lights, big wing, etc...) , you're fine. MAke sure the seats are redone in correct leather.

changing the color is ok but it will be a lot of work to do it right. chrome, lights, glass will have to be taken out, the edge of the doors need to be done too, etc... lots of work. you're better off finding one in the color you want. A quality paint job will probably be around $5k taht's lot compared to the car's value...

Pascal Gademer
South Florida Jaguar Club
72 E-type 2+2
00 XKR Coupe
99 XJR