Monday 22nd August 2011

Why Jaguar Doesn't Make An Open-Top XJ

California XJ cabriolet conversion is just plain odd

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If you've ever wondered why mainstream manufacturers don't tend to make convertible versions of large saloons, this is the reason: the result looks bloody weird.

This convertible Jaguar XJ is the latest effort from Newport Convertible Engineering (NCE), a California-based convertible specialist that has (so says its own website) "been the leading provider of exceptional convertible cars for exceptional people throughout the world for 27 years".

Which means that the XJ joins a long list of automotive horror shows that include (but are not limited to) a Merc CL (oh dear), a Subaru STi (you may remember this from when we first burnt your eyes with it back in March), a Caddillac CTS (yikes), an Aston Vanquish (for shame) and an E38 BMW 740iL (no words exist to describe that one adequately).

Some of these, we reckon, make the XJ look positively elegant. If, for the sheer, fascinated horror of it, you want to see more then hop along to NCE's own website and enjoy...

[CliveM]

Seriously, who buys these things?!?
I'd genuinely be interested to know, as stuff like the CL is not that far away (in basic concept but thankfully not execution) from genuine factory alternatives?

[Snowman23]

I actually quite like the Vanquish....I'll just pretend it wouldn't suffer chronic skuttle shake

[groomi]

Jaguar did a convertible concept for the X300 model, called the Daimler Corsica. They shortened it, converted to two doors and lopped the roof off.

I always thought it looked good and gave hope at the time that a pillarless coupe may be in the offing. Sadly it wasn't.

Here's a pic:

[djt100]

I quite like the idea of a 4 door cab....but you would have to have the roof down 24/7 as looks to odd with the roof up

[Fetchez la vache]

Surely that's not a conversion? They've just thrown a tarpaulin over the back?

[Stew2000]

It just looks so very wrong.

[rob.e]

Two words: Torsional rigidity.

[Escort Si-130]

I agree these conversions only look good with the rooof down. with the roof up, they look horrible.

djt100 said:

I quite like the idea of a 4 door cab....but you would have to have the roof down 24/7 as looks to odd with the roof up

[George H]

Snowman23 said:

I actually quite like the Vanquish....I'll just pretend it wouldn't suffer chronic skuttle shake

It looks ste compared to the Zagato Vanquish Volante too imo.

[Gun]

Some Of their handy work makes Top Gears convertible people carrier look almost professional!

[FreeLitres]

It looks a little strange, but I quite like the idea of a soft-top scooby...

[minicab]

I'd have the Vanquish - oh lordy yes!

[Shaw Tarse]

If you want an open top XJ

[shouldbworking]

Some of the older attempts are a bit more palatable

[The Danimal]

groomi said:

Jaguar did a convertible concept for the X300 model, called the Daimler Corsica. They shortened it, converted to two doors and lopped the roof off.

I always thought it looked good and gave hope at the time that a pillarless coupe may be in the offing. Sadly it wasn't.

Here's a pic:

Indeed. a 'Double Six' style coupe with no b pillar would have been fantastic. shame.

[James Dean]

article said:

If you've ever wondered why mainstream manufacturers don't tend to make convertible versions of large saloons, this is the reason: the result looks bloody weird.

I don't agree. A shame it never got put into production.

[Ikemi]

WTF? Why?

[anonymous-user]

Americans eh! The Maybach is my personal favourite - ghastly.

http://www.newportconvertible.com/product.jhtm?id=...

[James Dean]

Ikemi said:

WTF? Why?

It's so you can feel the economy.

[Gun]

I quite like the NSX convertible



Looks st with the roof up though.