Hi John,

I’ve not come across any red hoods being on offer for the XJS convertible, so I’ve taken a look at the Paul Skilleter book you mention

That photo shows to me what looks like the Tan roof, not red. The an almost exact example belongs to a Hess & Eisenhardt version of the XJS Convertible – it appears in their advertising literature (all be it from a different angle with a glider behind it).

I think I have seen other examples with the Tan hood, but not Red.

Laurence

The design of the two Hoods illustrated look different to me. One has a more wrapped round shape in the rear quarter window area resulting in the hiding of the little bodywork triangle to the bottom left of the glass. Personally I really don’t like the look of the bottom Hood at all, looks rather cumbersome compared to the top cars hood which looks more sleek.
According to the Parts catalogue official Convertible hoods were offered in Black, Blue and Brown and interestingly they also made what is listed as a hood cover for transit use which was in Jaguar Green. This transit hood looks like a full Hood without a rear window panel at all, just entirely material. Has anyone ever seen one of these or even possess one? ( cannot see anything similar for the Cabriolet)

Oh well at least you tried, never give up though, sometimes the impossible is possible:-)

It looks to me like they are two different cars. The top one indicates that it is a facelift convertible as the driver door  does not show a quarter light to the front of the door, the rear light looks more like the facelift model.

The bottom pic shows more like the HE style pre facelift.

Regards,

Chris Leeson, (facelift Cabriolet J685 CEV).

Hi Chris @chrisleeson

I think I read somewhere that he early Hess and Eisenhardt XJS Convertibles had the little quarter light, and the Jaguar built ones had the full glass window without the quarter light.

I quite possibly am wrong – but I’d be interested to hear any information anyone has.

Laurence

Yes the top one looks as if it is a 1993 facelift model as it has a K registration. The bottom one is probably from the US as it looks to be LHD and has the large direction indicators. I wonder if it was a non factory fit soft top conversion?

Alan

The celebration version could be delivered with a burgundy hood colour.

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