Back

XJ-SC Cabriolet : Production Figures Explained

By Laurence Jones

Published: 2nd January 2026

On paper, the Jaguar XJ-SC Cabriolet’s production numbers can appear inconsistent: low early volumes, a sudden surge, and an abrupt end. When viewed in isolation, these figures raise questions. When viewed alongside the car’s development history, they become entirely logical. This article explores what the production data reveals about Jaguar’s confidence, market priorities, and the transitional role the XJ-SC was designed to play.</

Cabriolet, not Convertible

As with the companion article, it is worth clarifying terminology. In UK and European usage, the XJ-SC Cabriolet is a Targa-style car: removable roof panels over the front seats plus a separate folding rear hood. A full convertible typically uses a full-length folding roof. North American usage often applies convertible to any soft-top car, but Jaguar’s naming is specific for good reason.

This is Part 2 of a paired story

This article forms the second half of a complementary pair. The companion piece, XJ-SC Cabriolet : Why It Was Built, explains the regulatory, manufacturing, and strategic decisions that shaped the model. Together, they tell the complete story of how — and why — the XJ-SC’s production figures look the way they do.

The headline number

Jaguar produced a total of 5,013 XJ-SC Cabriolets between 1982 a