Highlights
- A genuine 3 owner only car with the second to last owning the car for 22 years
- Has covered a mere 58,500 miles - However, does now require welding/improvement work underneath.
- Complete with a full service history and plenty of provenance providing paperwork
The Appeal
With its 2-door coupé cockpit and long flowing bonnet, the XK8’s design ethos clearly harkened back to Jaguar’s legendary E-Type or XKE. Featuring a new 4-litre AJ-V8 engine coupled to a 5-speed automatic gearbox, the XK8 boasted impressive levels of performance and refinement, demonstrating that it was eminently worthy of the revered Jaguar badge.
Recently acquired, the vendor was subsequently disappointed to find the vehicle required structural work to bring it back to its best (Please see the gallery) and as such, is now moving the car on to a new owner, warts and all, who has the time to have the work completed. We thoroughly recommend all interested parties to view the gallery and acknowledge the work required before placing a bid. Make no mistake, this XK8 presents a fantastic opportunity to acquire a prominent vehicle with value, once brought back to standard.
With a smart, original interior, straight panels and a healthy powertrain, this XK8 is a deserving candidate for some remedial work underneath and would surely make a magnificent grand tourer when finished, lets face facts here, you can’t buy this kind of history and provenance.
With a smart, original interior, straight panels and a healthy powertrain, this XK8 is a deserving candidate for some remedial work underneath and would surely make a magnificent grand tourer when finished, lets face facts here, you can’t buy this kind of history and provenance.
The History and Paperwork
- Purchased by the vendor in June 2022
- While the MOT history suggests remedial work was undertaken in 2020 to sills and subframe, the vendor has since found that structural corrosion persists (Please see the gallery)
- MOT valid until February 2023
- Original Jaguar book pack
- Original service book
- Last service indicated at 58,403 miles
The Interior
- Oatmeal leather
- Well appointed dashboard
- Electric front seats
The interior of this XK8 has survived very well and remains very usable in its current state. Besides the headlining which is no longer well supported, the remainder of the interior displays little sign of wear.
As you would expect, there is some patination evident on the seat bolsters, particularly on the driver’s side, but nothing that would concern us. The carpets would benefit from a thorough clean but appear undamaged and are quite serviceable. The rear seats look to have been used very little and so appear in excellent order.
Leather and veneer are draped over just about every feature inside the XK8, which gives it the aura of luxury and quality. We particularly enjoy the part-wood, part-leather steering wheel and the wooden gear knob.
The dashboard itself appears to be in very good condition, having aged very gracefully indeed. All of the instrumentation held within, appears to function as it should, with no signs of degradation to any of the fascias. Likewise, all of the switchgear looks to be in good order, showing little signs of wear.
The Exterior
- Straight panels
- Good glass, wheels and tyres
- Requiring structural work to sills and subframe
Topside, this Jaguar is quite a smart example, with straight body panels and good Bordeaux Red Metallic paintwork, displaying only the odd stone chip and blemish.
Where some work is required is the underside, where the vendor has found the sills and rear subframe to be quite corroded in places. In January 2020, the XK8 failed its MOT on account of corrosion to the rear subframe, rear suspension mounts, seat belt mounts and sills (front and rear).
Two subsequent, consecutive MOT passes with no advisories suggested that the aforementioned defects had been rectified. However, the vendor has found that corrosion persists in these areas and the outer sills have had body filler applied to them before being repainted.
In spite of the fact structural work is needed, so much of this XK8’s exterior is in good order that it makes the car worth the time and effort. The glass appears to be in great shape and the 18” alloy wheels have minimal damage and lacquer peel for a car of this vintage. Overall, this Jaguar has a smart appearance and with some work, would look fantastic once more.
The Mechanics
- 4-litre V8
- 5-speed automatic gearbox
- Runs and drives well
With few miles on the clock, we understand this XK8 to be in fine mechanical order and the vendor reports that it accelerates very strongly, changing gear exactly as Jaguar intended.
The vendor has advised that the front brakes will require new discs and pads due to wear and corrosion, although he believes the rear brakes are serviceable. As mentioned previously in the listing, the car requires structural work underneath to bring the car back to its former glory. We advise all bidders to study the gallery in depth to ascertain the work required before bidding.
Under the bonnet, everything appears to be clean and tidy and the AJ-V8 engine is an impressive sight to behold.
Summary
With XK8s becoming scarce, this example would be a great candidate for restorative work. The end result will be a majestic GT that will surely give its next owner years of rewarding driving.
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.A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
VAT will be added to the final bid or offer price as applicable. VAT will be added to the buyer’s deposit as applicable.
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.A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
VAT will be added to the final bid or offer price as applicable. VAT will be added to the buyer’s deposit as applicable.
