1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertible
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Highlights
- Sought after British Racing Green
- Low mileage example
- Well maintained with recent timing chain replacement
The Appeal
1996 saw the birth of the XK8 first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, a 2+2 made by Jaguar to replace the former XJS and sharing a platform with the Aston Martin DB7.
The XK8 was the first vehicle to use Jaguar's newly developed 32-valve 4.0L V8 engine which produced a very punchy 290bhp.
The XK8 was the first vehicle to use Jaguar's newly developed 32-valve 4.0L V8 engine which produced a very punchy 290bhp.
These Jaguar XK8’s really are a luxury sports car that can stand on their own merits, renowned for their smooth power delivery and opulent living space at surprisingly good value (in current times, at least).
When new, these big cats would set you back an easy £50k and change - with the convertibles costing you a considerable amount more!
When new, these big cats would set you back an easy £50k and change - with the convertibles costing you a considerable amount more!
This particular example is finished in one of the best and most sought after colours, British Racing Green, and appears to be greatly cared for both mechanically and aesthetically.
If you’re after a luxurious sportster, or even something with a glorious V8 burble, look no further - you’ve found all you seek and more!
If you’re after a luxurious sportster, or even something with a glorious V8 burble, look no further - you’ve found all you seek and more!
The History and Paperwork
- Registered in September 1997
- Drivers handbook and accompanying documentation present
- UK vehicle all of its life
- MOT valid and expires February 2023
- Recent MOT shows advisories for perishing tyres
- V5C present in current owners name
- Timing chains recently replaced
- Driven less than 10,000 miles in the last 10 years
- Great Jaguar / specialist service history
The Interior
- Gorgeous cream leather interior
- Supportive and comfortable electronic bucket seats
- Rear seats beautifully presented
- Harman Kardon sound system
- Dark wooden veneer fascias
- Half leather half wooden steering wheel
- Carpets all present and in great condition
- Convertible top functional in great shape
- Stainless kick plates with polished centres
- CD Changer located in the boot
- Cream leather tonneau cover
Arguably, the best specification for an XK8. Overflowing with opulence, the interior of these big cats do not disappoint and ensure you’re surrounded in the best materials, wherever you look.
Sitting in the comfortable driver's seat you instantly get a feel for the low-slung driving position, directly ahead sits the gorgeous cream leather and half wooden steering wheel which presents itself in lovely condition - no rips, no tears, just a little bit of shine that’s characteristic of used leather.
Direct behind this sits the gauge cluster, showing no unwanted warning lights across the dash. The wooden fascia is all very nicely maintained with no signs of delamination across the entire dashboard, and the gauges toward the centre console all still function as they should, too.
Direct behind this sits the gauge cluster, showing no unwanted warning lights across the dash. The wooden fascia is all very nicely maintained with no signs of delamination across the entire dashboard, and the gauges toward the centre console all still function as they should, too.
Door cards are present and the condition here is echoed, wonderfully presented and the cream leather appears as bright as ever, with the woodwork still shining brightly with great clarity. Moving down to the floors all of the carpets are present too, in great condition with no excessive wear marks or colour transfer.
In the rear of the Jag, the +2 style rear seats appear to have seen very little use over the years, though this isn’t surprising as they aren’t best used for ferrying people around in due to tight leg room. The leather remains bright and supple and the stitching is all intact, with no signs of rips or tears throughout.
In the boot, all of the lining is still in great shape with no unwelcomed rips and upon lifting the false floor, the spare wheel remains present and all of the metalwork appears to be in great shape too, with no tell-tale signs of water ingress here.
Overall, the interior of this Jag is as opulent as ever, gorgeous and supple leather laced with wood, it’s a place you’d never tire of being in.
Perfect for those long summer drives, top down, engine burbling, it doesn’t get a whole lot better than this!
Perfect for those long summer drives, top down, engine burbling, it doesn’t get a whole lot better than this!
The Exterior
- Desirable British Racing Green paintwork
- Completely original bodywork
- Factory panel gaps
- Original wheels all presented in good condition
- Functional electronic drop-top
- Very corrosion free example
- Small ding on rear quarter
- Some small signs of lacquer peel
Even from the outside, these XK8’s radiate refinement, and are somewhat reminiscent of the older XKE’s thanks to the long bonnet and the low-slung body style - truly a very well ageing car from all aspects.
This example is particularly handsome, wearing the famous British Racing Green we all know and love with a complementing black soft top.
This example is particularly handsome, wearing the famous British Racing Green we all know and love with a complementing black soft top.
At the front of the vehicle, the headlights appear to be in great shape showing no damage or cracks and no signs of any water ingress either, and the gaps between the bumper, bonnet and lights all appear to be of factory fitment.
The paintwork here appears in good shape with the expected stone chips up front - aside from this it's very well presented, the Jaguar badge sitting proudly in the middle letting everyone know they’re in the presence of luxury and performance.
The paintwork here appears in good shape with the expected stone chips up front - aside from this it's very well presented, the Jaguar badge sitting proudly in the middle letting everyone know they’re in the presence of luxury and performance.
Moving around to the side of the vehicle, the original Jaguar wheels are nicely kept with some small signs of kerb marks on both rear wheels and the front driver side wheel, the passenger side front wheel appears to be untouched.
Body panels all appear to be in good shape although there does appear to be a small ding, located near the fuel filler cap, and some small lacquer peeling starting behind the front passenger side wheel, where the arch meets the side skirt.
Aside from this, the bodywork is seemingly corrosion free here in these areas and appears to be well maintained.
Body panels all appear to be in good shape although there does appear to be a small ding, located near the fuel filler cap, and some small lacquer peeling starting behind the front passenger side wheel, where the arch meets the side skirt.
Aside from this, the bodywork is seemingly corrosion free here in these areas and appears to be well maintained.
Around to the rear of the car, we’re greeted instantly with those two large exhaust pipes, one of which seems slightly askew. There does appear to be some small scuffs and grazes on the rear bumper, and just below the passenger side rear light there is a small paint blister forming.
The rear lights themselves are in good nick, no cracks or damage with a good level of clarity, and the badge designators are still proudly sitting in place.
The rear lights themselves are in good nick, no cracks or damage with a good level of clarity, and the badge designators are still proudly sitting in place.
Overall, this big cat still has some killer looks.
These handsome Jag’s will go down as one of the most beautiful cars produced, there’s no doubt, and as the ages pass the beauty does not fade.
Sure, the car could use a small amount of TLC, but it’s refreshing to see that over the years the car has been used and enjoyed instead of hidden away never to see the road - although in recent years the latter has become more and more the case.
These handsome Jag’s will go down as one of the most beautiful cars produced, there’s no doubt, and as the ages pass the beauty does not fade.
Sure, the car could use a small amount of TLC, but it’s refreshing to see that over the years the car has been used and enjoyed instead of hidden away never to see the road - although in recent years the latter has become more and more the case.
The Mechanics
- 4.0L V8 engine (AJ-V8)
- 290bhp
- Rear wheel-drive configuration
- 6-speed ZF 6HP26 gearbox
- Good service history (Dealer and specialist)
- Timing chains replaced
- Chassis rails attended to
- MOT valid until February 2023
- Advisories for perished tyres
Mechanically, this car seems to be a reasonably well sorted example, with a good service history and the timing chains recently replaced for a new custodians piece of mind - this is no small piece of maintenance!
The car is reported to have no trouble starting up and coming to an idle - power delivery is strong and linear as you would expect and braking force is strong and true.
The ZF auto box provides for a nice, comfortable and smooth ride sailing between the gears with no worrying noises present, and the suspension remains noise free also.
The ZF auto box provides for a nice, comfortable and smooth ride sailing between the gears with no worrying noises present, and the suspension remains noise free also.
Thanks to that big lump of a V8 up front, this big cat is no slouch by any means, and produces a magnificent grumble when you get the urge to burn off some fuel.
Fantastic and well engineered Aston Martin underpinnings make for a fantastic driving experience with responsive handling, even in such a lump of a car.
Of course, it has the thirst that's characteristic of a V8, so it’s a good thing then that the lavish interior doesn’t impose a desire to be heavy footed at every passing moment.
Fantastic and well engineered Aston Martin underpinnings make for a fantastic driving experience with responsive handling, even in such a lump of a car.
Of course, it has the thirst that's characteristic of a V8, so it’s a good thing then that the lavish interior doesn’t impose a desire to be heavy footed at every passing moment.
Summary
Enough to appease anyones requirements, whether that be power, luxury or status, the Jag has it all.
A sure-fire modern classic, fantastic underpinnings, and the handsome looks to leave people gawking as it rolls past with a low grumble, anyone would be a fool to not have an XK8 on their “must have” list.
A sure-fire modern classic, fantastic underpinnings, and the handsome looks to leave people gawking as it rolls past with a low grumble, anyone would be a fool to not have an XK8 on their “must have” list.
Well maintained examples of these iconic sports cars are seemingly difficult to come across, even more so with such well maintained interior and rust-free bodywork - and in the right colour no less!
An amazing car for anyone's collection, or even just as a fun summer run about, this wouldn’t leave you disappointed.
Notice to bidders
An amazing car for anyone's collection, or even just as a fun summer run about, this wouldn’t leave you disappointed.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1997
- Make Jaguar
- Model XK8 Convertible
- Colour Green
- Odometer 82,729 Miles
- Engine size 3980
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Andover
- Location Hampshire
- Country United Kingdom
49
bids
- cc•••• £8,800 17/07/22
- pe•••• £8,700 17/07/22
- cc•••• £8,600 17/07/22
- pe•••• £8,500 17/07/22
- cc•••• £8,400 17/07/22
- pe•••• £8,300 17/07/22
- cc•••• £8,200 17/07/22
- pe•••• £8,100 17/07/22
- cc•••• £8,000 17/07/22
- cc•••• £7,900 17/07/22
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