• Late X100 XK8 with 4.2 V8

• Desirable R Pack option kit

• Black leather sports trim

• Registration number included in sale

In many ways, the XK8 was the modern incarnation of the E-Type. Far more of a sports car than the XJS it replaced, the V8-powered coupé or convertible was a return to Jaguar’s pure performance car days.

It was rushed into production after the stillborn F-Type was canned for being too expensive, so was produced on a modified XJS platform with brand new front suspension and the multi-link rear end from the X300 saloon.

Under the bonnet, a new V8 engine was coupled to a ZF five-speed automatic transmission, giving punchy performance coupled to excellent high-speed refinement. 

There were echoes of the E-Type in the styling too, with distinctive side bulges and a long, rounded nose. Indeed, the E-Type parallels are gathering appeal among collectors, especially as a lot of earlier models have now disappeared. Demand for good examples has started to outstrip supply, meaning prices are on the up and the best cars are becoming increasingly popular.

This one is a particular desirable example as it has the later, more powerful 4.2-litre engine, which is highly sought after. It also has further appeal courtesy of the R Pack option, which was introduced to boost XK8 sales late in its life and added the 20-inc alloys from the XKR, along with brake and suspension upgrades. 

This XK8 was acquired by the vendor last year and has been used as his regular transport since. Prior to that, it had six previous owners, the last an owner in Derbyshire who spent quite a bit on its maintenance. There is an additional owner on the logbook, but this was the vendor’s father, who bought it on his behalf. 

The seller is a young petrolhead and having ticked the XK8 off a pretty substantial list of cars he wants to own, he’s added an old Oldsmobile and a V8-engined Land Rover to his collection so needs to free up some space (and some petrol money!).

The MOT on the Jaguar expires in January 2022, but the seller has said he will put a new test on the car ready for its next owner.

When the current owner bought it, the XK8’s service history had been lost, but he managed to track down a replacement service book and history printout courtesy of the Guy Salmon dealership in South West London that supplied it new in June 2003, when it was registered LB03 UGP. It is now registered as N9 JXK and the registration number will be left on the car when it is sold.

It also comes with a selection of more recent bills from when it lived in Derbyshire, including one for a major service and another for a full transmission overhaul. The vendor is a car mechanic by trade and he has recently treated the XK8 to a full oil and filters service ready for its new owner.

Also supplied with it are the original handbook and leather wallet, along with a selection of drivers’ and audio handbooks, a printout of its MOT history and an HPI certificate showing nothing of any concern. 

The XK8 is one of those cars that looks completely different as coupe than it does a convertible. The two appeal to different markets, and it's arguably the coupe that is the better looking.

This one is made all the better thanks to the R Pack options, which include wheel arch extensions, rear privacy glass and 20-inch alloy wheels, as shared with the XKR. It also sits slightly lower than a standard model thanks to the suspension upgrades, which we’ll come to in a moment. 

The body is in very tidy order with no noticeable dents or damage, though there are small areas of rust bubbling up at the trailing edge of both sills where they meet the rear arches. 

We were able to inspect the car on a ramp and can confirm that both of these areas are solid and require only cosmetic repair, the nearside having already had a small repair section welded in. There are also two areas of the floor where welded repairs have been carried out in the middle of the floor pans – a very common XK8 rot spot, and it’s reassuring to see that the repairs have not only been done, but have been carried out properly. 

The alloy wheels are in excellent order and are shod with excellent tyres, Avons at the front and Michelins at the rear, all with over 6mm of tread. 

The cabin of this XK8 is in superb condition with no noticeable problems.

It's an interior that offers a classy combination of sportiness and opulence, very much in the Jaguar tradition, while R Pack options include thickly bolstered sports seats and an ‘R’ logo’d leather steering wheel. 

The black leather is in excellent order as are the matching carpets, whilst the smoked veneers are in similarly good condition.

The stereo and air conditioning appear to work, as do the heated seats 

The 4.2-litre V8 was introduced in 2003 and increased the power output of the XK8 from 255bhp to 300bhp, which made the XK8 a very potent car indeed. As such, it'll blast from nought to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

The R Pack, as fitted to this one, added grooved and ventilated Brembo disc brakes and CATS suspension – Jaguar’s computer-controlled system that continually adapts the car’s spring and damper rates to optimise the handling and ride, with a slightly lower ride height than a standard car. 

This one has had quite a bit of recent work, including new coil springs all round and the aforementioned service work. 

We were able to conduct a short test drive of the car, during which it performed faultlessly with no knocks or rattles from the suspension, straight and true steering and powerful, effective brakes. It feels tight and responsive throughout and is clearly a well-maintained car. It’s also a devilishly quick one, even without a supercharger!

This is an extremely handsome and classy example of the XK8, finished in one of the best colours and equipped with by far the best engine.

The R Pack extras add further appeal, both in terms of the car’s looks and its collector appeal, not to mention its driveability. 

As a modern classic that you can use every day without fear of depreciation, it promises to be a very wise and enjoyable investment as well as a car that you can thoroughly enjoy owning. With some minor cosmetic work, it has the potential to be a real collectors’ piece.