1989 Jaguar XJ-S 5.3 V12 Convertible - Unregistered - 100 miles from new

Conceived as a comfortable and long-legged Grand Routier, rather than an out-and-out sports car like the preceding E-Type, the XJ-S made use of the Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 saloon platform and running gear. Shorter in the wheelbase than its saloon siblings, the XJ-S debuted as a V12-powered Coupe. It was not until 1988 that a full convertible became available, however, and it was a marvel of engineering. It is fair to say that Jaguar took their time to perfect the convertible mechanism and such was its durability it was adopted by Aston Martin for the DB7 Volante. The 5.3 V12 Convertible produced between 1988 and 1991 is acknowledged as the XJ-S Convertible in its purest form.

To the enthusiast, a car’s history is as important as its condition and we are grateful to the nephew of the first owner of this exceptional motorcar for providing the story as to why it was never registered. The car, finished in rare Jet Black, was bought new by Mr David William Jewett in 1989. Mr Jewett had a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Cambridge and, whilst lecturing at Seale Hayne Agricultural College in Newton Abbott, restored and sold tractors on the side. His reputation was such that he acted as a consultant for both Massey Ferguson and Marshall Tractors.

Taking delivery of the car from Jaguar main dealers H. A. Fox of Plymouth and with the new decade dawning, Mr Jewett decided to wait until 1990 to register the car on a 'G' plate, however, a major heart attack delayed the process. On the 13th September 1991, Jaguar Cars Limited prompted him to register it by supplying the accompanying application for a “Licence for a New Motor Vehicle and Declaration for Registration” together with a compliment slip signed by the regional sales manager David Stevens. Mr Jewett chose not to register the car and instead enjoyed it as a work of art, regularly starting and running the car up to temperature around his property. Mr Jewett’s nephew facilitated the sale of the car in 2009 with 73 miles on the odometer, four years later Mr Jewett passed away, and we are told he would’ve loved the attention this car is now receiving.

The car remains unregistered to this day and the odometer shows just 100 miles. Bearing trade plates, the car clicked over to 100 miles on the journey from the local Jaguar main dealer following a service to the MOT testing station, who provided an advisory-free Certificate valid until 8th August 2023. It's presented to auction in a condition, as you can imagine, that is unrepeatable and ready for the road, the jack and cased tool kit is present. The green Jaguar wallet contains the handbooks and the service book is stamped and signed by supplying dealer H. A. Fox, made out to Mr Jewett and stickered with the car’s chassis and engine numbers. Included too is the main dealer service receipt dated 8th August 2022, the aforementioned registration application, corresponding Jaguar compliment slip, two cased cassettes and the spare key.