Were all 1988 XJS convertibles built by Hess & Eisenhardt. If not how do you identify?

Thanks,

Scott

2001 Jaguar S Type 4.0
1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertible

Submitted by SE57-50027 on Thu, 04/28/2011 - 00:00

I am really confused as to what I have now. My car is a 1988 XJS V12. But, it only has two window switches on the console, for the front windows. The rear quarter windows are attached to the convertible top frame and fold into the rear well. And, I have chrome trim around the top of the windscreen. I just assumed I had a H &E conversion.

Regardless, I love my car! And, this is a best service of any make. None of the other car clubs offer such a great forum for information. I look forward to reading the forum each day. Thank you all.

Submitted by silver007@shaw.ca on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 23:44

the Hess models all had a strip if body colour roof sheet metal at the top of the windscreen........the Jag ones do not and simply have a more normal chrome surround on top of the screen.......

Submitted by stevejag@sbcgl… on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 23:36

Unless you run across another custom made XJS convertible, [apparently several were known to be converted privately] all 1987 and 1988 Jaguar convertibles started life as an XJS coupe. They were converted by Hess & Eisenhardt then sent to dealers for retail sale. Once you see a Hess & Eisenhardt and a factory built convertible, they are easy to tell apart. The H&E top folds flatter and hides better, but most folks feel the top contour on the Jaguar model has a better appearance when raised. H&E's have the oval coachbuilder emblem on each front wing, they have 4 window switches in the console as opposed to 2 for the factory model, and they generally set lower than the factory model.
Those are some of the quicker things that tell them apart, but experienced folks will notice many other little things as well.

Hope that helps!