Kept as part of a collection and little used in recent years
The Appeal
The XKR is the ultimate derivative of the original Jaguar ‘X100’ XK8 sports car, with incredible performance, a shrieking supercharger, gorgeous looks and a wonderfully balanced chassis.
Launched in 1996, the model was the flagship of the range, initially with 370bhp from its 4.0-litre V8 engine.
This example is a 1999 convertible in desirable Antigua Blue, the colour and specification alone making it an attractive proposition. But there’s even more to it than that. Squint a bit, and you could mistake it for an Aston Martin. That’s because of the Paramount Performance upgrades fitted to the car when new, at a cost of £13,000 back then, or around £25k in today’s money.
Paramount Performance is a company renowned for its work tuning and improving Jaguars, as well as other sports cars in more recent years, making its own body kits and performance upgrades in-house at its Warwickshire base.
No two Paramount cars are identical and they’re exquisitely finished. This one saw primarily styling changes, with a “Paramount P1” body kit and alloy interior details, plus a big bore exhaust and suspension lowering kit and P1 split-rim alloy wheels. It’s an incredible-looking thing, which has been used only for nominal mileage over the past few years, clocking up just 1,500 miles since 2016, up to which it has a comprehensive service record.
The History and Paperwork
Fully stamped service book to 69,257 miles
Jaguar book pack and wallet
UK V5C
MOT June 2024
Registered new in June 1999 and supplied by Reg Vardy in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
Subsequent servicing by main dealers and qualified independents
All correspondence between original owner and Paramount Performance in respect of the conversion work carried out
Old MOT certificates
Selection of historic service and repair invoices including one from 2015 documenting professionally carried-out underbody repairs to the common XKR pinch points
The Interior
Smart oatmeal leather
Walnut inserts
Excellent leather seat facings with only minor wear to driver’s side
Rear seat appears unused
Very good door cards
Optional part-wood steering wheel
Electrically adjustable steering column
Cruise control
Climate control
Heated seats
Steering wheel audio controls
Spotless luggage area
Billeted alloy gear selector
Paramount Performance integrated sat nav unit with automatically lifting display panel cover
Alloy-ringed Paramount Performance dials
CD changer
Original tools and spare wheel
Tonneau cover
The Exterior
Antigua Blue Pearlescen
19-inch Paramount P1 alloys with minor kerb marks to both rear rims
Paramount P1 body kit with front, side and rear spoilers, revised air intake and rear farin
Appears good underneath – previous welded repairs carried out to high standard. Some surface corrosion near rear sill ends may require rustproofing treatment to avoid future issues
Panels are all straight and dent-free and there are no rust bubbles in any vulnerable areas
Original paint in good order throughout, with minor marks and very small dents commensurate with age and mileage
Smart black mohair hood
The Mechanics
Supercharged 4.0-litre V8
Five-speed auto transmission
Amazing performance
Drives superbly with no known or apparent faults
Upgraded and lowered Paramount Performance suspension
Paramount big bore exhaust
Summary
If you want an XKR that’s a little bit different from the norm, then this one fits the bill – the Paramount Performance upgrades were highly prized back in the day and today they’re a rare and extremely unusual addition to a highly coveted modern classic. Low mileage, very smart and with the benefit of having passed a recent advisory-free MOT test, this is a great addition to any Jaguar collection.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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