Jaguar XK8 | Spotted
What does a 30-year-old classic Jag look like these days? Here we go...
Think of V8-powered Jaguar sports cars and probably the F-Type is the one that comes to mind first. It’s the most recent, of course, as well as being much missed. But on top of that there was the sheer variety of 5.0-litres on offer, the likeability of all of them, and the fact that they’ve always represented such good value - both new and used.
They’re fantastic, basically, but this time round we’re going to consider its XK predecessor; less overt, less rowdy, but still with V8 charm aplenty and an undeniable significance. This was the car that replaced the XJS in 1996 (so yes, 30 years ago), when Jaguar desperately needed a shot in the arm to rejuvenate its image. This was pre-S-Type, with the range solely comprised of XJ saloon and 20-year-old XJS. So a proper halo was really needed, and the XK duly delivered: suave, stylish and desirable (despite sharing some XJS bits under the skin), it was exactly the kind of new V8 two-door that was required.
You know how the story went from there: more variants, more special editions, a reliability concern or two, then the X150 to replace the X100 a decade later and usefully modernise the XK throughout. And while still remarkably affordable in the main, the era of unbelievable bargains appears to be done; as was the case with the XJS, the cheap and cheerful days saw many written off thanks to a hefty repair bill. Now they’re starting to be recognised and appreciated a little more, interest seems likely to rise.
What was sometimes suggested as the more stylish, better-sounding, cheaper alternative to the supercharged Aston DB7 still looks like it today. Presentable Jaguar V8 coupes from £5,000 surely can’t hang around forever. At the other end of the scale is this one, selected on account of its mileage (just 17,000), and its vintage: as a 1997 car it’s 30 years old next year. This is now the classic Jag drop top; rather good it looks, too.
As an early one, it’s powered by the unsupercharged 4.0-litre V8, with around 300hp, but that sounds more than enough to woofle around the lanes with the roof down. First registered on the Isle of Man, it appears to have lived a very gentle life, and after a period of storage made it to the mainland in 2019. Since then use has been sparing to say the least, and it now presents as probably the best an XK8 can get. Which is actually quite an appealing prospect, truth be told.
Look where it’s for sale, finally: Jaguar Land Rover Classic. In there with the restomod Defenders, an XJ220, Series Land Rovers, E-Types, an XK150… the very best of Jaguar and Land Rover over the years. If an XK8 is good enough for them, it’s more than good enough for us. Don’t be surprised if £25k isn’t the price ceiling for long.
SPECIFICATION | JAGUAR XK8 CONVERTIBLE
Engine: 3,996cc, V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 290@6,100rpm
Torque (lb ft): 290@4,250rpm
MPG: 24.8
CO2: 279g/km
Recorded mileage: 17,063
Year registered: 1997
Price new: £56,850
Price now: £24,950
Premium price, but for what looks a great example from Jaguar Classic this doesn’t seem outrageous as the usual gotchas such as subframe should be fine.
There was of course the sticky issue of cylinder linings in the 4.0 cars.
I did think about trading up to an XKR but the sensible part of my brain said no!
Classy looking thing
t and dated (it was dated when they first came out)Could've done with a bit more E-Type curve, but then the overhang was long enough already and they needed a big air intake for the supercharged ones.
Still looked a million times more beautiful than the XJS in its day.
A friend of mine is one of those IT bods that can dictate how much he earns by how hard he wants to work. He had one of these when he was single. He met someone, got married and had a kid. The Jaguar was put into his parents' barn in immaculate condition about 15 years ago.
After lockdown his wife decided to resurrect it in time for his 50th birthday. The barn was a good, dry one on a working farm with plenty of airflow and a relatively stable temperature. Even so, the amount of welding the thing needed was eye-watering. His wife was committed to the project and went ahead with it, even though she acknowledges that she could have bought another one for less money than the restoration bill. It's still not concourse, but is a pleasant way to get about the countryside provided the oh-so-90s immobiliser is playing nicely, which it does when it wants to.
Personally I've never really liked the shape of these, but I'm not sure why. I think it's because the tail sits too high - the coupe hides it better.
The DB7 is much prettier, the XK8 looks substantially larger and flabbier and the rear end in particular is not nearly so well resolved, but as a car to actually use the XK8 is far superior, but these aren't bought on objective merit now it's all about what the car means to you so the huge superiority of the followup X150 XK isn't really relevant to anyone looking at this old beast any more than it is to the buyer of an E Type or XJS.
I think the DB7 is much prettier than the XK8, which is rather more bloated and less delicate, the rear quarter in particular is a triumph on the DB7 and a bit of a dogs dinner on the XK8, the Jaguar had to be designed with a mind to practicality and much higher volume production techniques though.
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