Since 1968, the XJ series of motorcars became the mainstay of Jaguar cars and, in fact, was the last model to have any input by its founder, Sir William Lyons.

After the series I and II, a relatively short run of two door XJ coupés with a pillarless hardtop body called the XJ-C were built between 1975 and 1978.

The car was actually launched at the London Motor Show in October 1973, but it soon became clear that it was not ready for production and the economic troubles unfolding in the western world at the time reduced further any sense of urgency about producing and selling the cars.

They finally started to emerge from Jaguar show-rooms some two years later and were priced higher than the four-door car becoming immediately relatively exclusive.

The profile of these sought after touring cars was so attractive, with windows down, that they are often hard to find in good condition.

Cabriolet International, based in Blackpool, was renowned for converting Jaguar cars into convertibles....