Custom 1989 Jaguar XJS 2-Door Coupe With 350 Chevy Engine

  • Condition: Used
  • Make: Jaguar
  • Model: XJS
  • Type: Coupe
  • Trim: Chrome
  • Year: 1989
  • Mileage: 111,007
  • VIN: SAJNY5844KC159500
  • Color: Blue
  • Engine size: 350 Chevy
  • Number of cylinders: 8
  • Power options: Power Locks, Power Windows
  • Fuel: Gasoline
  • Transmission: Automatic
  • Drive type: RWD
  • Interior color: Tan
  • Options: CD Player, Leather Seats
  • Vehicle Title: Clear
  • Interested? Contact seller!

1989 Jaguar XJS Description

If you're looking for a vehicle that turns heads everywhere you go, this is the vehicle for you.
Up for auction is a 1989 Jaguar XJS with a custom 350 Chevy engine with a 700r4 transmission.
I boughtthis Jaguarin Hollywood, Florida in 2012 and had it shipped to Erie, County Pennsylvania. It was painted the year I bought it.
The vehicle originally had a V12. If you know anything about Jaguar's, then you know there was a lot of issues with the V12 motors. Hence the reason for a reliable and high horsepower Chevy engine.
This vehicle was retrofitted with a crate 350 Chevy engine and transmission. The engine has a performance aluminum intake manifold, chrome valve covers and stainless steel dual exhaust. The vehicle has custom chrome wheels and low profile tires.
The motor in this vehicle has roughly 5,000-6,000 miles on it. I drove this vehicle for short drives maybe a half-dozen times each summer since I have owned it. I drove it one time, about two-three years ago, to the Poconos. It was the single longest trip I have taken it on.
Several new items have been installed on the vehicle in the past year:
  • New jell cell battery
  • New alternator
  • New high performance distributor cap and coil
  • New Holly performance carburetor
  • New front drivers side brake caliper
  • New front rotors
  • New lifetime brakes all the way around
  • Two new catalytic converters (required because of Pennsylvania state emission laws)
A working c/d player is installed. The vehicle also comes with a 12" Rockford Fosgate p/2 subwoofer in box, a Rockford Fosgate Prime r500x 10 amplifier and Scosch 500k farad capacitor. Those items work, but I never finished installing them. They are sitting in the back of the vehicle – see the photos.
This vehicle runs great. The roughest part about the vehicle, in my opinion, is the interior. It was something I had planned to get to eventually, but you know how that goes. I took multiple pictures to give you an idea of the condition of the vehicle.
The leaper on the hood (the Jaguar hood ornament) is not factory. I bought that aftermarket, and for a pretty penny at that, about two years ago. This car did not come from the factory with a leaper. I still have the original hood badge that the leaper is currently in place of. It will also go with the vehicle.
The vehicle does need some minor TLC.
The vehicle is cooled with 4 electric fans on the large four core radiator. All four fans work, however only two are currently coming on. The temp sensor for the other two fans needs replaced. They will run if you wire them direct. I did that to test them but did not permanently hook them up that way. I wanted to do it right and was going to buy a new temp sensor, but never got around to it.
I installed the front brake caliper myself. I did not have a tool for bleeding the brakes. They currently work and will stop the vehicle, but should be bled so you have maximum pressure.
It needs a new turn signal flasher – that little black box under the dash with the prongs on it. The one currently installed is goofy. Sometimes it will not blink, but if you tap on it, it will start blinking. I assume the box is bad or perhaps a bad connection.
The power windows work, but are sometimes slow. They need oiled. The electric radio antenna is being stubborn and is not going up right now. I don't know why, it just started doing that.
The fuel gauge does not work. I would also recommend installing a 3-gauge cluster – oil, temperature and battery, as the idiot lights in the dash are not compatible with the Chevy engine. I was going to buy a set – they are about $30.00, but never got around to it. As for the gas gauge, I don't know why it is not working. I have never messed with it. I always set the tripomitor at zero and would fill it up at around 300 miles.
The vehicle is not currently PA inspected. I did not drive it last year. By the time I installed all the new parts mentioned above it was fall. This car is from Florida and has been garaged since it has been in PA. It has never been driven in the snow or bad weather.
I pulled the car out of the garage and hosed it off before taking these photos. If you take the time to buff and wax it, it will look gorgeous.
I'm not sure what else to say about this vehicle. I have told you both the good and the bad – everything I know.
This is a beautiful car and definitely gets attention anywhere it goes. It’s the perfect vehicle for someone who loves the Jaguar body style, but wants a reliable old-school Chevy engine.
The reserve is very reasonable on this vehicle. It is also for sale locally, so I reserve the right to end the auction early.
I am selling this vehicle because I am relocating and cannot take it with it. This has been, by far, one of my favorite vehicles. The decision to sell was not easy. I actually agonized over it for several weeks before putting together this listing. I am hoping it goes to a good home and someone who will love and appreciate it as much as I did and finish bringing it to its full potential.
All of the photos in this listing, aside from the photo of it at the lake (I took that about two years ago) were taken the same day this was listed for auction.
This vehicle is being sold as-is. Potential bidders are welcome to look at it before bidding. I will take video of the motor running and will include it in this listing later this week.
Please note, a $500 non-refundable deposit is due within 48 hours of auction close. The rest of the money must be in the form of cash or a cashiers check. I will be out of town from May 15 and returninglate in theevening onMay 19. So the car will have to be picked-up upon my return.
Happy bidding!

On May-09-16 at 07:26:00 PDT, seller added the following information:

I forgot to mention the vehicle has a stealth radar detector installed. The sensor is mounted behind the grille and the unit is under the dash. You can see it in one of the photos. It has adjustments for sensitivity, etc.