Jaguar XK8 Convertible

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When they launched the fabulous new XK8 Coupe and Convertible at the 1996 Geneva show, Jaguar didn’t make the same mistake that they had made in 1975 when they had unveiled its predecessor, the XJS.

Caught up in the belief that the US market would ban convertibles, they hadn’t developed one for the XJS and it wasn’t to be until 1983 that the partly open Cabriolet made its debut, the full convertible having to wait until 1989, a full 14 years after the original car’s launch.

The Jaguar XK8 was therefore a much anticipated new model and the press were certainly not dissapointed. Designed by Geoff Lawson who was also responsible for the stunning XJ220, it shared its platform with the Aston Martin DB7 and was available as a coupe or convertible from the outset. The first ever Jaguar to be fitted with an eight-cylinder engine, its 4-litre V8 produced 290bhp which was sufficient to propel the car to an electronically limited 155mph top speed.

This 2000 model has led a well cared-for existence, the service book showing no fewer than 12 stamps to 2012 by which time it had covered 90,000 miles. A subsequent service invoice dating from April of this year for £621 (which doesn’t appear in the book) completes the picture. Bills dating back to 2007 total over £10,000 spent on its care and maintenance.

Specified from new with heated seats, heated windscreen, parking sensors and a boot-mounted six-stack CD player, it was later sold via Stratstones in 2005 for £23,660. Complete with its original hood cover (which had remained unused until just last year), it retains its full complement of three key sets.

MOTd until April 2015 and taxed until the end of February 2015, this carefully looked after XK8 Convertible looks terrific value at the suggested guide price. We all know that in years to come we will be kicking ourselves for not buying one of these fabulous supercars when we could!