Footnotes

• Jaguar's first response to demands for an open-top XJ-S was somewhat conservative in engineering terms. The XJ-S had not been designed with an open version in mind, so a Targa-style arrangement was adopted, which retained a substantial roll hoop in the interests of maintaining rigidity in the absence of a fixed roof. Two removable roof panels were stored in the boot, and the Cabriolet did away with the Coupé's two occasional rear seats in favour of a pair of luggage lockers topped by a parcel shelf. Essentially an exercise in niche marketing to test public reaction, the XJ-S Cabriolet's production was entrusted to outside specialist contractors, with bodyshells being transported back and forth across the Midlands before returning to the Brown's Lane factory prior to final despatch. The favourable response to the Cabriolet having demonstrated that there was indeed sufficient demand to justify production of an open XJ-S, Jaguar grasped the nettle and proceeded to develop a conventional full convertible.
  This rare XJ-S V12 Cabriolet was formerly owned by the famous television presenter, Eamonn Holmes, who purchased it in 1989 (see copy press cutting on file). 'D444 KNC' benefits from recent restoration, having been unused for three years prior to the work's completion in 2008, and is described as in generally good condition. The car comes complete with tool kit, book pack, service history and Swansea V5, and is expected to possess a valid MoT certificate by time of sale.
  

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Category: Motoring / Motor Cars

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