Jaguar XJ 12 Peters Cabrio
Car-ID: XT0071
Vehicle Description
The consignor calls it “the finest convertible Jaguar never built” – and we must say, he’s got a point. The XJ is already a very elegant sight in its sedan or coupé shape. Several companies offered custom-made open-top conversions, among the better known ones are Lynx Cars and Avon in England. Arguably the best conversions, however, with the most felicitous styling and technically sound constructions came from German coach builder Peters at Delbrueck near Paderborn. No more than 11 Jaguar XJ coupés of these conversions were made, this is one of them.
The conversion was conducted in 1991. The Jaguar also received a complete engine revision and new coat of paint in the same year, invoices are available and amount to DM 35,000.
Since then, the Jaguar was driven only occasionally, the total mileage since 1991 is reportedly no higher than 13,000 km. The mighty V12 engine runs smooth and leaks oil a bit. Automatic gearbox and air conditioning are among the amenities.
The beautiful XJ in the classic colour scheme white / black has been in the ownership of the same family for over 15 years. It has an acceptable degree of patina and traces of use. A 2010 Classic Data appraisal estimates the market value of this XJ convertible at € 29,500 (condition: 3). It comes with valid technical approval until 11/2017 and historic plates.
The XJ may be regarded as Sir William Lyons’ masterpiece. It was the last car the co-founder of the Jaguar company designed, and what he had created in 1968 turned out to be perennial: The luxury sedan was built over 24 years with only minor modifications regarding the bodywork.
The XJ effectively replaced not only the S series, but the 420 and Mk II along with it, becoming the sole Jaguar saloon and one of the best known British motorcars. At first, only the XJ6 was available, but in 1972, a 12-cylinder version was added, the XJ12, at that time the world’s only mass-produced 12-cylinder sedan.
The first major facelift for the 1974 model year brought raised front bumpers and, consequently, a flatter radiator grille which made the XJ appear even more slender and elegant.
In 1979 the XJ was facelifted once more, incorporating a mild redesign by Pininfarina while largely retaining Sir Lyons’ original lines. Over the whole production span, around 318,000 XJ6 and XJ12 were produced.
One of the pecularities of the XJ is that it is equipped with two separate fuel tanks positioned on each side of the boot, each with its own chrome filler cap and a changeover switch on the dash.
