The quintessential LeMans shed-barge? 1998 Jaguar XJ8
Discussion
Rather than scratching the whole barge itch, my prematurely foreshortened flirtation with my first Jaguar (the S-type that lasted just a month) appears as if it's only gone and got me hooked on the idea.
After being offered a good price for the car as a 'non-runner', I dropped off the S at a Jag specialist to be given a new lease of life. While I was there, it was casually mentioned that a British racing green XJ8 had just come in as a p/x. In fact, did I want a ride to the station in it? Perhaps sir would like to drive it there? Maybe I'd just fallen victim to the oldest sales trick in the book, because the next day I headed back down for a closer look. Up on the ramps it was clear the car was generally sound - a front wing was starting to rot and cosmetically it wasn't pristine, but it drove fine and the spec was nice. Learning from my previous lessons, a three month warranty on the mechanicals was offered as part of the deal and we shook hands.
So there we have it. With our first trip to Le Mans in less than three weeks this might just about be the most appropriate tool for the job. Not only a shed and a barge in their true PH senses, but V8 powered and a shape as overtly British as the queen's head on a pound coin.
I've now covered just over 500 miles since picking it up two days ago. Thoughts? Well, there's little family resemblance to its baby brother S-type. The XJ drives much more how you'd expect a barge to, how you'd expect a Jaguar to: vague, wallowy and heavy, but less jittery over bumps. Doesn't have the S-type's beautiful steering either. The 3.2 V8 in this makes it no scalded cat and feels quite a bit slower than the 4.0 in the S, although a lot of this is down the programming of the gearbox - it's much more reluctant to kick down and will only take it down one gear at the most. You need to be on top of the J-gate to get the best out of it, but when you do its neck and neck with an X350 XJ6, as me and friend with one found out!
Post-LM, and as an impoverished student I've no idea how long I'll be able to handle 20mpg for but they say lightning never strikes twice, so hopefully it'll last a bit longer than the last! Better go and check the oil now...
After being offered a good price for the car as a 'non-runner', I dropped off the S at a Jag specialist to be given a new lease of life. While I was there, it was casually mentioned that a British racing green XJ8 had just come in as a p/x. In fact, did I want a ride to the station in it? Perhaps sir would like to drive it there? Maybe I'd just fallen victim to the oldest sales trick in the book, because the next day I headed back down for a closer look. Up on the ramps it was clear the car was generally sound - a front wing was starting to rot and cosmetically it wasn't pristine, but it drove fine and the spec was nice. Learning from my previous lessons, a three month warranty on the mechanicals was offered as part of the deal and we shook hands.
So there we have it. With our first trip to Le Mans in less than three weeks this might just about be the most appropriate tool for the job. Not only a shed and a barge in their true PH senses, but V8 powered and a shape as overtly British as the queen's head on a pound coin.
I've now covered just over 500 miles since picking it up two days ago. Thoughts? Well, there's little family resemblance to its baby brother S-type. The XJ drives much more how you'd expect a barge to, how you'd expect a Jaguar to: vague, wallowy and heavy, but less jittery over bumps. Doesn't have the S-type's beautiful steering either. The 3.2 V8 in this makes it no scalded cat and feels quite a bit slower than the 4.0 in the S, although a lot of this is down the programming of the gearbox - it's much more reluctant to kick down and will only take it down one gear at the most. You need to be on top of the J-gate to get the best out of it, but when you do its neck and neck with an X350 XJ6, as me and friend with one found out!
Post-LM, and as an impoverished student I've no idea how long I'll be able to handle 20mpg for but they say lightning never strikes twice, so hopefully it'll last a bit longer than the last! Better go and check the oil now...
A month in and it feels like I've had my money's worth from the purring feline. Three and a half thousand miles mostly consisted of a trip from Bristol to Durham and back via London and Cheshire to visit and pick up friends for and followed by the thread title's (and indeed the car's) raison d'être: the Le Mans road trip.
A 5am start from Bristol on the pre-LM Thursday morning saw us at the M2 services to meet our partner Jag (PHer Geekman's X350 XJ6) by 7am, and in Dover with masses of time to spare before our 8.55am sailing. We got to the PH campsite at Blue Nord with time to get camp set up before dinner, which of course had nothing to do with the fact we 'accidentally' read French speed limit signs in mph...
And after four nights of mates, racing and beer, it was time for a similarly paced return hack. I wish I could say more about it but the X308 performed flawlessly. The AC wasn't as powerful as it could've been, but had just enough blow to stop us leaving sweat on the leather seats in 27 degree ambient temps. Average mpg for the trip worked out at 20.5 to the gallon, although that probably says more about our cruising speeds than any meaningful comment on the economy on the Jaguar 3.2 litre V8 engine. But what a classy way to travel for our inaugural trip to LM.
At the PH camp with the team (four other PHers and one who's not on here, yet)
Mulsanne straight
Mad Friday antics begin (seems our livery is getting a good reaction!)
Our motley crew on the Porsche Curves
A 5am start from Bristol on the pre-LM Thursday morning saw us at the M2 services to meet our partner Jag (PHer Geekman's X350 XJ6) by 7am, and in Dover with masses of time to spare before our 8.55am sailing. We got to the PH campsite at Blue Nord with time to get camp set up before dinner, which of course had nothing to do with the fact we 'accidentally' read French speed limit signs in mph...
And after four nights of mates, racing and beer, it was time for a similarly paced return hack. I wish I could say more about it but the X308 performed flawlessly. The AC wasn't as powerful as it could've been, but had just enough blow to stop us leaving sweat on the leather seats in 27 degree ambient temps. Average mpg for the trip worked out at 20.5 to the gallon, although that probably says more about our cruising speeds than any meaningful comment on the economy on the Jaguar 3.2 litre V8 engine. But what a classy way to travel for our inaugural trip to LM.
At the PH camp with the team (four other PHers and one who's not on here, yet)
Mulsanne straight
Mad Friday antics begin (seems our livery is getting a good reaction!)
Our motley crew on the Porsche Curves
Dalto123 said:
James, you know what happens when you post pictures of yourself on PH don't you?! 
There was a reason I didn't point out who was who 
Baryonyx said:
Is that Matt sitting on the bonnet of the older Jaguar?
In any event, this is exactly the sort of thing I'll be after come the end of the August when I'm back in the UK. I really want BRG with cream leather, though I'll be taking a look at as many as I can simply to find the best condition. They are just such good looking cars. And still plenty around too.
That is indeed young ChemicalChaos (Matt).In any event, this is exactly the sort of thing I'll be after come the end of the August when I'm back in the UK. I really want BRG with cream leather, though I'll be taking a look at as many as I can simply to find the best condition. They are just such good looking cars. And still plenty around too.
I'll probably be looking to shift it around that time so do pester me for a viewing!
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