Highlights
- Bodywork and paintwork in great condition
- Full service history stamped in original book
- In current ownership for six years
- Comprehensive history file
The Appeal
Jaguar’s XK8 was unveiled in 1996, have been code-named the X100, being a classic grand tourer.
With the firm’s previous models including the iconic E-Type and the XJS, the four-seater coupe had big shoes to fill and expectations were high.
With the firm’s previous models including the iconic E-Type and the XJS, the four-seater coupe had big shoes to fill and expectations were high.
All models of XK8 used the new 4.0-litre AJ-V8 which developed 290bhp and was mated to a ZF 5-speed automatic gearbox with a sport mode. It certainly had pace, too, with the 0- 60 mph sprint taking it a mere 6.7 seconds and the top speed limited to 156 mph. Impressive for a 4.7m long four-seater coupe.
This particular XK8 is finished in the classic combination of Sapphire Blue metallic offset by Ivory leather and burr walnut and has been enthusiast owned for the last six years.
It’s been garaged and regularly serviced, which has meant that the bodywork and underside is in great condition, far above average for the model.
It’s been garaged and regularly serviced, which has meant that the bodywork and underside is in great condition, far above average for the model.
The History and Paperwork
- Original book pack, wallet service booklet
- Full service history stamped in books
- MoT until 2023
- Rebuilt gearbox less than 1,200 miles ago
The current owner is an avid Jaguar fan having owned 11, including several XJs and Sovereigns, an XJS, an S-type and several XF models.
He daily drives an XF and the XK8 is rarely used. He bought the car in 2016 and used it mainly to visit car shows near his Lincolnshire home, visiting shows in Cleethorpes, Wragby, Alford and Mablethorpe. At these shows the car has received a couple of rosettes.
He daily drives an XF and the XK8 is rarely used. He bought the car in 2016 and used it mainly to visit car shows near his Lincolnshire home, visiting shows in Cleethorpes, Wragby, Alford and Mablethorpe. At these shows the car has received a couple of rosettes.
When purchased in 2016, the car had covered around 117,000 miles and just a month later the gearbox had an issue and had to be fully rebuilt at a cost of £2,700. Since then the car has covered less than 1,200 miles.
The car was supplied by Paramount Jaguar in Derby in 1997 and then serviced by Jaguar main dealers up to 2004 when it had covered 82,160 miles.
It was then serviced by an independent garage in 2005 at 96,705 in Henley on Thames, before being serviced by a Jaguar main dealer in later 2005 at 97,886 miles. It was last serviced in 2016 at 116,626 miles.
It was then serviced by an independent garage in 2005 at 96,705 in Henley on Thames, before being serviced by a Jaguar main dealer in later 2005 at 97,886 miles. It was last serviced in 2016 at 116,626 miles.
It has a wad of invoices all carefully contained in a folder and it's clear that it has been cherished in the current owners care. Under his stewardship, since 2016 there have been no advisories on any of the MoTs.
From 2018, the car has only covered around 200 miles a year, only covering 56 miles in the last two years during the Covid period (when all the car shows were cancelled).
With worsening health, the current owner has decided to reluctantly offer it for sale.
From 2018, the car has only covered around 200 miles a year, only covering 56 miles in the last two years during the Covid period (when all the car shows were cancelled).
With worsening health, the current owner has decided to reluctantly offer it for sale.
The Interior
- All original Ivory leather
- Half walnut steering wheel
- Original Jaguar head unit and six-disc CD changer
The Ivory leather interior looks fantastic when you open the door – it’s a sea of leather and burr walnut, with the lighter coloured trim really making it a light and airy place to be (so much better than gloomy black!).
The steering wheel has a couple of small wear marks around the spokes, but you have to strain to see these, while the driver's seat is well padded and wonderfully comfortable.
The steering wheel has a couple of small wear marks around the spokes, but you have to strain to see these, while the driver's seat is well padded and wonderfully comfortable.
The only negatives on the interior are a crack in the walnut dashboard on the passenger side (partially covered by the addition of a chrome Jaguar badge) and a small tear and a little wear to the driver side seat bolster. The seat base on the drivers side also has a few minor wear cracks on it.
All the toys are present, including electrically adjusted seats on both sides, as well as electric mirrors, windows and cruise control.
The original Jaguar radio cassette (complete with Dolby) is linked to a six-disc CD changer in the boot and an electric aerial glided out of the bodywork when this was switched on. The door speakers are branded Harman/Kardon.
The only deviation from original specification is the addition of a Parrot Bluetooth system that allows a smartphone to be used handsfree (the current owner had never used it).
The only deviation from original specification is the addition of a Parrot Bluetooth system that allows a smartphone to be used handsfree (the current owner had never used it).
Unlike most Jaguars the headlining is in perfect condition and overall the interior is in great condition – the rear seats do not look like they’ve ever been used.
The Exterior
- Paintwork in great condition for age
- New front tyres in 2020
Given that it has covered 118,836 miles you’d expect the paintwork to show some signs of age, but it is in far better condition than most 1997 cars.
There are no obvious stone chips on the bonnet or front bumper and the corners haven’t been scraped. The receipts show that the nearside front wing has been painted, but this has clearly been done well as you’d never know it.
The only defects spotted on the body were a 50p-sized lacquer chip on the offside A-pillar and a tiny bit of bubbling at the base of the nearside A-pillar. There are also minor scuffs on both mirrors.
There are no obvious stone chips on the bonnet or front bumper and the corners haven’t been scraped. The receipts show that the nearside front wing has been painted, but this has clearly been done well as you’d never know it.
The only defects spotted on the body were a 50p-sized lacquer chip on the offside A-pillar and a tiny bit of bubbling at the base of the nearside A-pillar. There are also minor scuffs on both mirrors.
Overall the paintwork looks superb for the car’s age and the Sapphire Blue paintwork really gleamed in the sun and still looks every inch the premium luxury car that it is.
The 255/45 ZR18 rear tyres are Haida Racing HD921s and date coded week 51, 2013, while the front tyres were replaced in 2020 and are Rapid P609s in 245/45 ZR18 side, dated coded week 25, 2020.
The alloy wheels are in good condition with the gloss silver finish being bubble free.
The alloy wheels are in good condition with the gloss silver finish being bubble free.
The Mechanics
- Engine idles smoothly
- Gearbox fully rebuilt less than 1,200 miles ago
Firing up the 4.0-litre V8 engine is a treat and it started easily and idled so smoothly and quietly you have to check it’s still on. Why aren’t modern cars this quiet?!
Reassuringly, the gearbox being fully rebuilt less than 1,200 mile ago, means that you won’t have to worry about any transmission issues.
The ZF 5-speed automatic slips into gear smoothly without a trace of a clunk and the car was started and moved numerous times in the baking midday sun without complaint.
The ZF 5-speed automatic slips into gear smoothly without a trace of a clunk and the car was started and moved numerous times in the baking midday sun without complaint.
The current owner does not know of any mechanical issues with the car and the lack of advisories on the last six years of MoTs would back this up.
Summary
This XK8 is in way above average condition for a 1997 car and still has a great presence and looks elegant and upmarket.
The Sapphire Blue paintwork looks fabulous, while the Ivory and burr walnut interior is a delightful place to be. Everything you touch is either wood, leather or chromed metal.
The Sapphire Blue paintwork looks fabulous, while the Ivory and burr walnut interior is a delightful place to be. Everything you touch is either wood, leather or chromed metal.
With creamy V8 power and a private number plate that disguises its age, this is a classy and upmarket way to impress your friends without breaking the bank.
It’s an awful lot of premium car for the cash.
It’s an awful lot of premium car for the cash.
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