Jaguar XK8 Project Car

[AndyBlue1975]

Hello.

My Dad bought an S Reg Jaguar XK8, a number of years ago, for £2000. 

It was in beautiful condition, running well, purred like a cat on tickover, and roared like a Jaguar on acceleration!

He then discovered that it started to need some attention. 

There was a rattle in the engine. At first he thought it was chain, so he replaced it as well as the guides. The rattle was still present. He came to the conclusion that it was the big end bearing. He bought an AJ27 engine, and planned to swap them over. Then the paintwork started to flake. He then discovered that it needed welding in the front passenger footwell, new aircon pipes, and an aircon regas.

The inside of the car is as best as can be expected for the age, but I personally think it is in excellent condition.

The Jaguar has been sat for years,under a caravan tarpaulin cover, unloved, awaiting the attention it needs. It is currently a non runner.

My dad says that if someone were to offer him as near as possible for what he paid, he would sell it. I currently have it listed across various sites for £1500. He also says that if someone were to give him back the £400 he paid for the engine, that can go.

Dad also said that if nobody were to buy it, then he would have no choice but to get it on the road. However, I know the truth of the matter, and that is that it will just sit under the cover, and rot away. As well as the fact that, at 73, he has less days in front than he does behind him. He still thinks he is 21, like we all do, but his body is telling him otherwise.

He has a small fleet of cars which have had to have a ruthless cull. The first casualty was a Y reg MGF. It got stripped down for parts, and the rest went to the great scrapyard in the heavens. Another British car gone from the roads.

The Jag is too good to scrap, and it too would be a great shame, if it was another British car gone from the roads. It will come with the aircon pipes he bought to replace the old one's, and any other spares he has. The spare engine is to be sold separately.

We are based in the Manchester area M31.

I have attached photos.

Thanks for your help and time.

Thanks for reading!

Andy.

[Wrinkly]

Andrew

Good luck with selling your Dad`s Jaguar. I have a similar story (except I am the Dad (73) ), in this case. Sounds a familiar story with what were once deemed extremely desirable (now Classic) becoming Jaguars. The problem with the story is that it will probably want someone with deep pockets or a younger person who has the energy, motivation and skill to bring the car back to life. 

 

Good Luck and Best Wishes, John

[AndyBlue1975]

Hi John.

 

Thanks for replying.

I agree with what you are saying.

It will need someone younger, with deep pockets, and a love of the car to a point where price has no meaning.

I actually priced up the work needed and I roughly estimated it at around £4000. That wouldn't be a premium spray job either. Obviously it would cost less if a person did a lot of the work themselves. But that's just it, apart from the respray, my dad has all the tools to do the work himself, even a welder and an engine jig. Even if the work was paid for, if the car was sold there would be no profit. 

I just hope it doesn't end up like the MGF.

Thanks for your time John, and I wish you all the best with your situation.

[AndyBlue1975]

My Dad has also got an S Type. It only needs the sills doing which Dad is capable of. That won't be going nowhere as it has an lpg conversion. Nice cheap run for dad to his caravan in Wales!