1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertible - For SALE.

46,000 original miles | Clean Texas title | Clean CARFAX | Third documented owner

This is a very well-preserved 1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertible with approximately 46,000 original miles. It is powered by Jaguar’s 4.0-liter AJ-V8 with a 5-speed automatic transmission.

The car has a clean Texas title, and I am the third documented owner.

The car has been maintained rather than simply cosmetically prepared for sale. A significant amount of mechanical work has already been performed, including several of the important age-related items that knowledgeable early XK8 owners look for.

I purchased the Jaguar directly from Debbie and the late Alan Johncock, owners of the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum in Vanderpool, Texas.

I had actually known this particular car for years before buying it. I regularly went to the museum on Tuesdays to work on and restore motorcycles, and the Jaguar was stored inside the museum garage. I sometimes had to move the Jaguar out of the way just to get access to the parts-cleaner tub.

One day I noticed a handwritten “For Sale” sign on the seat. Because I already knew the car and where it had been kept, I bought it directly from Alan and Debbie. The Jaguar had approximately 30,000 miles when I purchased it.

My wife subsequently used the XK8 as a daily driver for a period of time. That accounts for some minor door dings and normal cosmetic imperfections. I am not representing a 29-year-old automobile as flawless; the photographs on this page are intended to show its actual condition honestly.

One of the most important issues on an early Jaguar AJ-V8 is the original timing-chain tensioner design.

This car has the updated metal timing-chain tensioners installed.

I personally confirmed the metal tensioners when I replaced the left valve cover with a brand-new valve cover.

This is an important distinction on an early XK8 because a prospective buyer does not have to rely on an assumption that the tensioners were changed at some point—the metal tensioners have actually been visually confirmed.

The engine runs properly, the transmission shifts properly, and the car runs and drives exceptionally well.

Important cooling-system work has also been performed, including replacement of the:

Water pump
Thermostat housing
Coolant-temperature sensor

The Jaguar is also equipped with a RealGauge digital coolant-temperature monitor.

The RealGauge provides an actual numerical coolant-temperature reading rather than relying solely on the factory Jaguar temperature gauge. This allows the driver to monitor the cooling system much more precisely.

The suspension has received substantial work rather than simply replacing one or two components.

Work performed includes:

Front lower control arms
Bushings
Ball joints
Tie-rod ends
Front shocks
Rear shocks and mounts

Of particular importance, the original front upper shock mounts were replaced with Wayne Tate upgraded upper shock mounts.

Wayne Tate is well known within the Jaguar XK8/XKR owner and enthusiast community for his involvement with these cars and for developing an upgraded solution for the deterioration and failure associated with the original-style upper shock mounts.

His upgraded mounts have been discussed, installed and documented by XK8/XKR owners in Jaguar enthusiast groups and forums. They are not simply another replacement of the original-type mount; they are an enthusiast-developed upgrade intended to address the weakness of the original design.

For someone familiar with the X100-generation XK8/XKR, the fact that the car has Wayne Tate mounts is therefore considerably more meaningful than simply saying that it has “new shock mounts.”

The suspension work, including the front suspension components and rear shocks/mounts, means that a substantial amount of the original 29-year-old suspension hardware has already been addressed.

The power-operated hydraulic convertible top is fully functional.

The top:

Raises properly
Lowers properly
Closes properly
Latches properly

The soft top has also been cleaned and treated.

Videos on this webpage show the convertible top actually operating. A prospective buyer therefore does not have to rely solely on my description of its operation.

The air conditioning works properly and blows cold.

Age-related HVAC/electrical items that have been addressed include the:

HVAC resistor
A/C switch
Fan relay

The instrument cluster has received LED illumination.

The car also has a new battery.

All keys and remote controls are included with the car.

The braking system has also received attention during my ownership.

The car has also received maintenance to its soft-top hydraulic system.

The trunk struts have also been replaced.

The car is equipped with Yokohama Avid Ascend GT tires.

The exterior presents very well and the interior is also very well preserved for its age.

The leather, wood trim, dashboard, carpeting and interior trim remain in very good condition.

This is not being represented as a concours automobile or as a 29-year-old car without imperfections. As mentioned above, there are some minor door dings and normal evidence of use.

Rather than hide those details, I have included extensive photographs so a prospective buyer can evaluate the actual condition of the car.

Mechanically, the car runs, drives and shifts very well. The air conditioning is cold, the convertible top operates correctly, and substantial maintenance and age-related work have already been performed.

I have included extensive photographs of the car on this webpage, including the:

Exterior
Interior
Engine compartment
Convertible top
Trunk
Wheels and tires
Interior trim and details

I have also included videos showing the actual operation of the car, particularly the hydraulic power convertible top.

The purpose of providing this amount of information, photographs and video is to allow a prospective buyer to understand the condition of the Jaguar before contacting me and to answer as many of the normal questions about an older XK8 as possible.

Year: 1997
Make: Jaguar
Model: XK8 Convertible
Engine: 4.0-liter AJ-V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: Approximately 46,000 original miles
Title: Clean Texas title
Ownership: Third documented owner
Timing-chain tensioners: Updated metal tensioners, visually confirmed
Front suspension: Lower control arms, bushings, ball joints, tie-rod ends and shocks addressed
Front upper shock mounts: Wayne Tate upgraded mounts
Rear suspension: Rear shocks and mounts replaced
Cooling system: Water pump, thermostat housing and coolant-temperature sensor replaced
Coolant monitoring: RealGauge digital temperature monitor
Convertible top: Fully functional power-operated hydraulic top
Air conditioning: Working properly and cold
Battery: New
Keys/remotes: All included
Tires: Yokohama Avid Ascend GT
Location: San Antonio, Texas

The Jaguar is located in San Antonio, Texas and is available for inspection. Please review the photographs, videos and detailed information on this page. Serious inquiries are welcome.