www.jec.org.uk

Found the following on ebay item 280467453110.
cabriolet hard top. Apparently not for a convertible?
I though cabriolet and convertible was the same thing?
Except one was a more posh or french version.

I was looking for a headlining biscuit/shell for myself with no luck.

However if some one has one and even some cloth let me know.

I am ideally looking for a facelift biscuit, as i believe they may have been made from a better material.
I am sure someone will put me right if that is not so.

mrb39,

XJS cabriolets and XJS convertibles are completely different cars.

Cabriolets were the model introduced by Jaguar between 1982 & 1988 to counter demand for a model with more open-air capability. With their framed fixed rear side windows, a T-bar-type roof with 2 removable panels and a small rear hood that comes up to the rear of the T-bar, they are very different to convertibles which have retractable rear side windows, frameless windows on the doors and a full length electric hood.

Cabriolets were built between 1982 & 1988 effectively as an interim model before Jaguar worked out how to design and build a full convertible which was then introduced in 1988 and contnued through to end of production in 1996.

The hardtop that you refer to, fits in place of that 1/2 rear hood on the cabriolets. As cabriolets were only built until Jan 1988, there are no facelift cabriolets.

If you look in the register at the entries with photos and sort by Body Style you'll find lots of photos of cabriolets and convertibles and the difference will be clearer.

Hope that helps,

Paul

Ah now it all becomes clear,
I have never seen a xjs cabriolet, only coupe's and convertibles,I would like to see one of them in the flesh.
They sound right up my street, i liked the toyota mr2 T'bar they sound the same or similar.
I don't remember seeing a cabriolet at the jaguar museum place at coventry on the club day out, i guess there must have been one.

Cheers for info.

I have a cabriolet, I have never driven a full drop head car so can only comment on my own car. I started off by dropping the rear hood and removing the roof panels on hot days.
After some time using the car I find I only drop the hood nowadays. It is nice driving the car with the slight breeze entering the cabin, I am probably influenced by my lack of hair,
I am told the cabriolet has less scuttle shake than the full convertible. I personally like the look of it as well.
regards Kels.

I though cabriolet and convertible was the same thing?


There are some people on this forum who'd kill you for saying that!

Needless to say, I'm certainly not one of them.