• Late X100 XK8 with 4.2 V8

• Well serviced and maintained

• 18-inch factory option alloys

• Registration number not included in sale

In many ways, the XK8 was the modern incarnation of the E-Type. Far more of a sports car than the XJS it replaced, the V8-powered coupé or convertible was a return to Jaguar’s pure performance car days.

It was rushed into production after the stillborn F-Type was canned for being too expensive, so was produced on a modified XJS platform with brand new front suspension and the multi-link rear end from the X300 saloon.

Under the bonnet, a new V8 engine was coupled to a ZF five-speed automatic transmission, giving punchy performance coupled to excellent high-speed refinement. 

There were echoes of the E-Type in the styling too, with distinctive side bulges and a long, rounded nose. Indeed, the E-Type parallels are gathering appeal among collectors, especially as a lot of earlier models have now disappeared. Demand for good examples has started to outstrip supply, meaning prices are on the up and the best cars are becoming increasingly popular.

This one is a particular desirable example as it has the later, more powerful 4.2-litre engine, which highly sought after. 

The XK8 was acquired by its current owner in 2014 and has been used as his regular transport since. Prior to that, it had four previous owners all of whom have maintained it properly and carried out servicing in accordance with the correct schedule.

After seven years of ownership, the vendor is downsizing his substantial classic car collection so the Jaguar needs to go. 

There is quite a bit of history supplied with the XK8, including a number of receipts from a very well-known and highly respected Jaguar specialist in Cambridgeshire.

Among the more recent bills are evidence of new shock absorbers and bushes, four new tyres. 

The car also has an MOT valid until May 2022, which it passed with no advisories.

The XK8 is one of those cars that looks completely different as coupe than it does a convertible. The two appeal to different markets, and it's arguably the coupe that is the better looking.

Certainly when it's finished in striking Zircon Blue and sitting on factory option 18-inch alloy wheels, which this example is.

The body is in excellent order with no noticeable dents or damage, nor is there any visible corrosion to be found on the outer body work.

Minor issues include a crack to the lower part of the windscreen, though this wasn't an MOT failure point, and a couple of tiny stone chips on the cars nose.

The Jaguar will be supplied with its original ‘53’ registration number, as the owner is retaining his private plate to transfer onto a different vehicle.

Aside from some very slight wear to the driver’s seat bolster where it has been rubbed by the seatbelt, the cabin of the XK8 is in superb condition with no noticeable problems.

It's an interior that offers a classy combination of sportiness and opulence, very much in the Jaguar tradition.

The biscuit coloured leather is in excellent order as are the matching carpets, whilst the wood veneers are in similarly good condition.

The stereo and air conditioning are both in a good state of repair, and all of the dials and switches work as expected.

The 4.2-litre V8 was introduced in 2003 and increased the power output of the XK8 from 255bhp to 300bhp, which made the XK8 a very potent car indeed. As such, it'll blast from nought to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

the incredible performance is matched buy a wonderful V8 soundtrack with a deep, guttural exhaust note that gets throatier as the revs increase.

We were able to conduct a short test drive of the car, during which it performed faultlessly with no knocks or rattles from the suspension, straight and true steering and powerful, effective brakes. It feels tight and responsive throughout and is clearly a well-maintained car.

this is an extremely handsome and classy example of the XK8, finished in one of the best colours and equipped with by far the best engine.

As a modern classic that you can use every day without fear of depreciation, it promises to be a very wise and enjoyable investment as well as a car that you can thoroughly enjoy owning.

These first generation XK8s are cars that are rapidly gathering interest from the collector community and those in good condition are highly sought after. This is one of them, and if you look after it, its future value is only going one way.