My Dads '89 XJS V12 Convertible

[Pep]

Here she is. My dad bought the car new in 1989, and it has been in the garage ever since!
As some may know he died last month so I have been taking on the epic mission of starting to clear our barn and outbuildings of all the crap and working out what we still need. The garage was on the list this weekend and that included the Jag.

Decided to pull her out and a quick wash to get rid of all the dust. He did take it out last year and put a few miles on it but it's done very little as the pics show! He'd never even let me sit in it with the keys in the ignition so was a little weird starting it up and pulling it out of the garage.

Yes the mileage is correct, it's only done 2000 miles in the last 16 years!

Needs a full going over service wise and the handbrake is stuck on so need to sort the paperwork and get it to a garage as soon as possible really.
​It's massively cramped inside for such a huge machine!

 

[Mr R.]

Love it mate, looks mint.

I did an exhaust manifold to head gasket on one of these, oh my what a job.

 

[Stefan.]

Jesus that is some low miles!!

Looks lovely

 

[Mike...]

Looks great! Never seen a convertible one before.

 

[.GAZ.]

Can't believe that mileage!! Must be one of the lowest in existence.

 

[George182]

Gorgeous!

 

[Dan...]

That's looks amazing! Can't believe those miles

 

[Xanda73]

That needs to be in a museum somewhere. In years to come a 5 litre V12 will be seem like steam engines are now. Don't let that go to the wrong person.

 

[DB.]

Wow, guessing your keeping it?

 

[Darren S]

That needs to be in a museum somewhere. In years to come a 5 litre V12 will be seem like steam engines are now. Don't let that go to the wrong person.

Couldn't agree more.

Realistically, the sentimental value of this will be much more than the monetary value of the car. If it was a nail, there would be little point keeping it, but this appears to be almost concours. If that had been my dad's car - it would have taken a LOT for me to sell that on.

D.

 

[Pep]

Just to clarify the car will not be sold, ever.

 

[Mike@Rentech]

Wow thats just awesome , not seen one in that condition before.
I would be keeping that car in a garage for a long time as well and maybe use it when the suns out

 

[DB.]

Glad to hear!

 

[Mr R.]

Id take it to shows, enter it into concourse events.

Be great letting people see it and winning trophies.

 

[Adamm.]

Has that mileage gone round the clock or something?

Gorgeous motor that though mate.

 

[DaveDreads]

That's mint, you don't see many of those on the roads these days.

 

[Wick]

Wow. What a keeper!!!

 

[-Rob]

Such a car to be able to keep, with a strong sentimental value as well - simply beautiful.

 

[Dave H]

Thats a collectors dream !

 

[deutsche_blonde]

Awesome. Extra touch with that plate.

 

[andywa]

Wow. That is beautiful. As already said the sentimental value far out ways the monatry. Just think of the memories! They will last a life time. Again as mentioned above show it.

 

[Scrooge]

Oh my, that is simply beautiful!

 

[Rob]

Wow. Just wow.

I'd be paying to have it detailed, properly, after you've had it serviced etc. I bet it'd look even more amazing.

 

[Alastair.]

Love it, fag ash needs removing from the clocks mind

 

[Pep]

Surprised it took so long for someone to spot the ash..!

I'm just planning on keeping it mint and using it the odd time to be honest, not sure about showing it etc but we'll see.
It smells so old school, still got the new car smell to be honest.

Need to get the handbrake fixed ASAP so I can get it out to the garage.

 

[andywa]

How come he just garages it? Was that the intention?

 

[McGherkin]

You could waft absolutely everywhere in that. Glad to hear you're not selling it but don't just leave it in a garage!

 

[Mr R.]

I bet it still has a great smell of leather?

 

[Gray]

Can remember seeing this a few years ago when your Dad took it for an MOT iirc?

Stunning condition.

 

[Addicted]

That is bloody awesome!

 

[Mr R.]

Re:- Hand brake, im not to sure if these have the quick release?

On the Aston`s you have to hold the button at the top as you put the hand brake on, this is the way it stays on

To release it, you just pull the hand brake without holding the button at all.

​Its not the same as a normal car.

If the hand brake was to sit in the "up" position on this then it would be in the way as you got in and out of the car, try pulling/lifting the hand brake up then press the button. Let it back down again and it should come off.

When you put the brake on the handle will "lay flat" i think its called.

 

[Sam@NP]

That is proper!

 

[Pep]

How come he just garages it? Was that the intention?

Not really, he used it a lot when he first bought it, but was always a third car and he had his own business so didn't get much time to use it.

Re:- Hand brake, im not to sure if these have the quick release?

On the Aston`s you have to hold the button at the top as you put the hand brake on, this is the way it stays on

To release it, you just pull the hand brake without holding the button at all.

​Its not the same as a normal car.

If the hand brake was to sit in the "up" position on this then it would be in the way as you got in and out of the car, try pulling/lifting the hand brake up then press the button. Let it back down again and it should come off.

Seems a strange way but will give it a go dude, thanks for that
​Know of any decent specialists up my way to send it to?!

 

[Mr R.]

Sorry mate i don't and yes it is a strange way but its the only way as the hand brake is on the right hand side between the seat and the inner sill i believe?

As i said if it sat up when on then it would be in the way.

If we got an Aston sent in by the AA it would always say on there report that the hand brake was broken....lol

Your welcome.

Pull brake up, press button then let back down.

Should be off.

To put back on, just pull brake up but the lever will come back down it the "out of the way position"

 

[Gally]

Lovely mate and actually an awesome keepsake.

Interior is beautiful!

 

[Pep]

Sorry mate i don't and yes it is a strange way but its the only way as the hand brake is on the right hand side between the seat and the inner sill i believe?

As i said if it sat up when on then it would be in the way.

If we got an Aston sent in by the AA it would always say on there report that the hand brake was broken....lol

Your welcome.

Pull brake up, press button then let back down.

Should be off.

To put back on, just pull brake up but the lever will come back down it the "out of the way position"

I think it must be that then as I'm sure the handbrake was on when I got it it, so will have a play tomorrow.
Yeah it is on the right of the driver next to the sill.
Thanks again for the help


It makes a lovely noise too, very quiet but smooth, shakes the whole car at standstill!

 

[Mr R.]

These have "in board rear brakes" the hand brake pads are very small and can brake if the car is moved while the brake is on. (the foot brake uses the pads which are in the calipers)

"In board" means that the rear discs are fitted to the flanges out of the diff, then the drive shafts are bolted to that which go off the the hubs where the wheels are bolted to.

 

[Mr R.]

Your welcome mate, yes and it needs to go to a specialist.

The V12 is so smooth.

 

[Pep]

Ah right, hope I haven't broken then then as it did roll it back into the garage thinking that handbrake was broken....!
Hoping to find a good specialist where I can be in the workshop with the car so I can learn my way around it a bit.

 

[Lal B3N]

Looks fantastic!

Look after it