Lot details
Registration No: R314WAW
Chassis No: SAJJSAED3AR024728
Mot Expiry: T.B.A.

Living up to expectations can be a burden. Consider the handsome Geoff Lawson-penned XK8 that followed in the wheeltracks of such automotive icons as the XK120 and immortal E-type - currently hogging the limelight on its 50th anniversary. Like the E-Type before it, the XK8 made its debut at the Geneva Salon - that of 1996 - and, from launch, was available in either Coupe or Convertible guise. Like its immediate predecessor, the XJS, the original XK8 was more of a Grand Tourer than an outright sports car. It also had the distinction of being the first Jaguar to be powered by an eight-cylinder engine. This then, was a cat with strong DNA but also its own distinctive endearing personality. At the time of the newcomer's unveiling, Jaguar Cars was owned by Ford, as was Aston Martin, and it made sound economic sense for the XK8 and similarly targeted DB7 to share the same platform; which itself was derived from that of the outgoing XJS. The biggest of many differences between new and old, was the adoption of Jaguar's second generation independent rear suspension system, previously found on the XJ40 Saloon. Prior to 2003, power came from either a normally aspirated (XK8) or supercharged (XKR) 4.0-litre version of the company's DOHC V8 AJ26 engine. From 2003 to the end of production in 2006, the 4.2-litre AJ34 unit was employed. In each case, the engine was allied to either a five or six-speed (from 1997 onwards) automatic transmission.

The normally aspirated XK8 Coupe on offer is a 1998 model finished in Metallic Gold with Cream leather upholstery and Mushroom coloured carpets. The vendor informs us that its impressive specification includes: leather/wood rim steering wheel with controls for hands-free phone, music system and cruise control; air conditioning (that's just been checked and refreshed); electrically operated front seats with two position memory settings; Jaguar multi stack CD autochanger, cassette and radio; Jaguar seven-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels "in excellent condition with a good set of recently fitted Pirelli P Zero tyres". This chic cat comes with original leather wallet of paperwork, stamped up service history, sundry bills and a number of old MOT certificates.