XJS’s younger sibling set to shine as future modern classic

KWE Cars – known for its XJS expertise – puts its skills and knowledge to good use on a number of Jaguars, including the XK8

The Jaguar XK8 – an eventual successor to the XJS – is set to become a future modern classic, as its investment challenge starts to build momentum in a similar vein to its predecessor.

The XK8, although considerably different in terms of looks, actually shares a great deal in common with the basic XJS body and suspension. With this similarity comes comparable restoration needs, and KWE’s XJS expertise puts it in pole position for helping XK8 owners get the most out of their car.

We firmly believe that the XK8 is likely to see a boom in popularity, and as the car becomes increasingly rare, prices are likely to rise in the next 10 years or so. Although we can class the XK8 as a ‘newer’ model, there are still some issues that need to be addressed when ensuring your car is in its best possible state.

Restore your Jaguar XK8 to better than new

In 1996, the Jaguar XK8 became the direct replacement of the incumbent XJS, and used the new all-Jaguar 4-litre V8 engine. Slightly larger than its predecessor, the XK8 had a modern, almost futuristic interior, with virtually unchanged design of suspension and brakes.

Available in both hardtop and convertible, the XK8 showcased a curvier figure in comparison to the more cubist XJS, however, the newer marque was no more spacious.

From a restoration point of view, the XK8 suffers from rust just like its older sibling, and this needs to be addressed before it turns into major expense. Many under body areas of the XK8 have little or no protective coating, with sill ends and floor pans being particularly susceptible to rust. Although a relatively modern model compared to previous KWE projects, we’ve completed rust restoration work on a number of XK8 cars.

Jaguar XK8 4 litre coupé visits KWE

The XK8’s engine is robust and reliable, and fears of the Nikasil issue are no longer justified. The high sulphur petrol which damaged this friction-reducing material has not been in the UK since 2001.

Suspension will suffer from the same age-related deterioration problems as the XJS, leading to sub-standard handling, rattles and imprecise steering. We can easily correct all these problems – markedly improving driving quality – applying our full suspension, steering and brakes restoration and upgrade package.

Topside bodywork will have the usual fading, rust spots and dents, all of which we can address through our high quality rust-repair and re-spray process.

Jaguar XK8 rust

It’s not all about the exterior of your vehicle, as the interior leatherwork is likely to be worn out and in need of some serious TLC. We are able to revamp your classic Jaguar to ‘better than new’, providing a range of bespoke interior options, including different colours and textures.

Prices of the Jaguar XK8 are at their lowest, and are likely to rise steadily over the next two years or so – in a similar way to the XJS. As decent examples of the XK8 become increasingly hard to come by, now’s almost certainly the time to invest before prices sky rocket.

Classic car restoration: We leave no stone unturned

The engineering experts at KWE are able to restore your classic Jaguar inside and out, leaving no stone unturned. We understand the allure of classic car ownership, and that’s why we listen carefully to your needs, offering bespoke solutions. Please call 01635 30030 for more information or to arrange a test drive.

Alternatively, follow us on Twitter or ‘like’ our Facebook page for classic Jaguar news and updates.