・Four owner XK8 – three in the same family

・Unusual Antigua Blue paint scheme

・Full service history to 2,000 miles ago

・Original, loved and well-maintained car

When Ford took over ownership of Jaguar in 1990, a replacement for the XJS sports car was one of the most critical jobs. Jaguar’s entire model range was out of date, and a new GT was needed in order to reignite the passion for the company’s sports models. 

Sadly, the proposed F-TYPE, which had been in development since before Ford ownership, was too complex and too expensive to build, so a team led by Product Chief Bob Dover was put together to create a new sports car, with Jaguar’s chief stylist Geoff Lawson and designer Fergus Pollock responsible for its striking appearance.

It was based on the aged XJS floorpan, which was a largely cost-based decision, but had new suspension, steering, engines and transmission, the multi-link rear being lifted directly from the X300 saloon. 

But it was the new V8 engine that was the biggest talking point. The AJ26 V8 came with a low volume cooling system for rapid warm-up and was attached to a ZF five-speed automatic transmission. Early teething problems caused by engine bore wear were quickly ironed out and the V8 has since gained a reputation for being a sturdy and extremely refined engine. 

The Coupé and Convertible models were launched concurrently in 1996 and have seen a surge of interest in recent times, as the model celebrates its silver anniversary. The folding soft-top on convertible models was developed by German supplier Karmann and came complete with a heated glass screen, which lowered automatically into the rear deck. Quite a gimmick in its day.

Early examples in particular are becoming quite collectable, which makes this unspoilt four-owner early series Convertible an attractive proposition, especially as it is in completely original condition.

Sadly, this is a bereavement sale and the car is being sold by the family of its most recent owner, who passed away last year. He had owned the XK8 for almost a decade and the car was very much his pride and joy, kept in a garage and fastidiously maintained. He wasn’t afraid of spending on its maintenance and has had some major jobs carried out on the car, including repairs to the rear floorpans, which is a common XK8 problem. The history file contains photographic evidence of the work. 

Prior to his ownership the car has only had two previous owners, one a football club chairman and the other the second private owner from whom the vendor’s late husband acquired it. The V5 has since seen an additional owner change within the seller’s family. 

The XK8 comes with a valid MOT until May this year along with a UK V5C in the name of the last owner’s widow. It also has a fairly detailed service history, which reads like this:

12/04/01 - 10,789 miles – Jaguar House, Liverpool

13/06/02 – 20,308 miles – Jaguar House, Liverpool

02/07/04 – 41,029 miles – Jaguar House, Liverpool

03/06/05 – 51,074 miles – Hatfields Jaguar, Liverpool

20/09/06 – 63,543 miles – Hatfields Jaguar, Liverpool

23/11/07 – 71,340 miles – Hatfields Jaguar, Liverpool

15/08/08 – 79,480 miles – Hatfields Jaguar, Liverpool

22/10/09 – 89,748 miles – Hatfields Jaguar, Liverpool

26/04/10 – 101,406 miles – Hatfields Jaguar, Liverpool

28/04/11 – 111,016 miles – Hatfields Jaguar, Liverpool

24/07/12 – 121,330 miles – CEL Motors, Corby

28/03/14 – 131,385 miles – Farriers Jaguar Land Rover Leicester

09/04/15 – 136,991 miles - Farriers Jaguar Land Rover Leicester

05/06/17 – 140,078 miles - Farriers Jaguar Land Rover Leicester

The current mileage is 142,686.

Also included are a full book pack, owners’ handbook, security code and some factory workshop repair manuals.

One of the most appealing things about this car is its colour – Antigua Blue, which was brighter and lighter than the more commonly seen Sapphire Blue on early XK8s. It looks fabulous when it catches the light and is in good overall condition.

There are a couple of minor imperfections. The driver’s side of the front bumper has a scratch below the fog lamp, while the paint is crazed on the other side of the bumper where it looks like an older repair has been made. It is worth noting that there’s also some small rust bubbling on the bottom edge of the offside front wing as well as the rear wing and boot panel. The offside rear wheel arch and rear panels have also been repaired at some point in the past and is visible in certain light. This along with the paint could be improved by the new owner should they wish to. 

There are also a few stone chips on the bonnet and nosecone of the car that don’t immediately detract, but a future owner may want to get sorted. 

Underneath, it’s all very smart with new front to rear brake pipes on both sides, and the floor has been recently undersealed following professional, high quality repairs to the rear floor pan, which are photographed and documented within the car’s history folder. 

The cabin of the XK8 is a charming and inviting place to sit, with light beige carpets and ivory leather, offset by a very traditional walnut veneered dashboard. The stereo and air con controls will be familiar to anyone who has ever had a Jaguar saloon as they’re lifted straight from the X300, not that that’s a bad thing. 

Everything appears to work as it should, though there’s a small amount of LCD bleed in the odometer display. The hood is operated by a switch to the left of the gear selector and also works as it should both up and down, while the roof canvas and rear window are in good order.

The leather is in good condition overall, with only a small amount of wear to the driver’s seat bolster. One point worth noting is that the roof lining is slightly parting from the fixed rear window.

With a decent service record and very little use in the past two or three years the XK8 is in good order mechanically. Despite having been kept on a trickle charger, the battery has just been replaced. The car has also been regularly run to temperature to keep it all working properly. It certainly sounds healthy and the vendor reports that it was in good running order when it was last driven. It is worth noting that he car hasn’t been used regularly in a couple of years due to the owners health. It was however started regularly and kept on trickle charge. It was obviously driven for its last MOT.

The vendor also notes that the hydraulic fluid has been topped up and the electric roof works however could be a little on the slow side potentially indicating a flush out and fluid change being required.  

This example of an early XK8, is finished in one of the very best colours, with the added bonus of being a Convertible. It has been owned and cherished by a very enthusiastic owner who kept on top of its every need and it now needs to go to a new home where it will be as appreciated and enjoyed by its next keeper. 

It’s a sound and original example of an early car, giving it true classic pedigree.