1986: A special XJ-S for Daimler

May

 A top-of-the range exclusive Daimler version of the XJ-S was put forward to the Board for consideration. Jim Randle, Geoff Lawson and with the assistance of designer Fergus Pollock and Park Sheet Metal developed the idea during 1985-86. This concept was directed at the Daimler customers who wanted high performance and refinement in a smaller model than the usual XJ40. The base for this exclusive one-off car was an XJ-S V12 Cabriolet. By remoulding a Cabriolet hard top rear section in metal and doing the same with the targa top panels over the front seats, a solid roof section was made up and painted to match the body. This meant the car had a hard top with removable panels as desired. The traditional Daimler fluted radiator grille surround was used and some thought it was an improvement on the previously used XJ-S grille. Exterior features were: Colour-keyed mirrors,  Chrome window surrounds and electro-plated “B” posts, Chrome rubbing strips along the side of the car,  Alloy wheels, Badging consisting of a Daimler script boot badge, a Double Six script on the “B” post and a Daimler “D” on the fluted grille. The interior trim was enhanced to meet the exacting standards of the Daimler brand. Instead of the traditional elm interior, the Daimler XJ-S was trimmed in walnut with boxwood inlays. The proposed interior was never actually fitted to the concept car before the project was shelved in 1986. The single prototype was retained by the styling studio and kept under wraps for a few years and is now owned by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust.

July

Paint technology is improved, TPA (Thermo-Plastic Acrylic) is changed to COB (Clear lacquer Over Base coat) on the 8th July 1986.

September

It was clear that for Jaguar to achieve any real success in the American market, there needed to be a full Convertible model. British Leyland Motors of North America contracted the project out to a company called Hess & Eisenhardt, who were successful coachbuilders based in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was an unprecedented decision for Jaguar to produce one of their current models in another country.  Hess & Eisenhardt designers produced a Convertible model with a power operated top.

Interior changes for the 1987 model year included: A new veneered “ski slope” to the centre console and new console mounted switch gear, including the switches for the seat heater and lumbar support, together with the re-designed switches for the electric windows, sunroof and cruise control. Passive restraint safety belts were introduced on all cars for the USA built after 2 February 1987. Exterior changes included an almost all-new range of paint colours and thick coach lines were replaced with two thin colour lines on the V12 models. Mechanical changes included the ZF 4HP 22 automatic gearbox became available on the 3.6 litre models.

October

The new Convertible was shown at the South Florida Auto Show in the autumn of 1986 and it was announced that the model was not only attractive but available. The cars would only be built to special orders received from the American dealers. Hess & Eisenhardt converted the original fuel tank to allow for the low folding top, this ultimately reduced the boot size and created concerns with the warranty cover. Hess & Eisenhardt produced 2000 units and they covered the warranty issues relating to the conversion together with any special parts fitted. Jaguar were still responsible for the remaining parts and any warranty issues not covered by Hess & Eisenhardt.