・Fresh MoT with no advisories ・Recent work completed by S.E Jags, including fitment of a new windscreen
・Huge file of old MoTs and invoices
The Background
After discontinuing the ageing XJS, Jaguar looked to the past for its new grand tourer model. The XKR takes some very obvious styling cues from the E-type, but benefits from an additional 35 years of technological progress to make it a much more practical, comfortable and reliable car for everyday use.
Launched in 1998, the XKR was derived from the XK8 of 1996. The XK8 itself was rather a covetable thing, with a four-litre version of Jaguar’s AJ26 V8, but the XKR took things a step further. With the benefit of an Eaton supercharger and a Mercedes five-speed automatic gearbox, the XKR produced 370bhp and would rapidly convey its driver from 0-60mph in 5.4 seconds, and then onwards to a limited top speed of 155.4mph. Although it was obviously a very capable performance car, it was chiefly a grand tourer and hence also delivered the comfort and luxury which one expects from a Jaguar, all-leather upholstery and burr walnut trim as standard. Although a large number of XK8s were built, the XKR was particularly exclusive, with production of coupés running to only 9661.
Leaving Browns Lane in its attractive combination of Meteorite Metallic paint with Oatmeal upholstery, this Jaguar was first registered S799 HUB in August, 1998. Its Replacement/Continuation Service Record takes us back to 1999 and presumably its first owner, Mr. J. Pigott, who operated a car breakers in Strensall, North Yorkshire. He would have purchased it from Minster Jaguar in Knaresborough, which serviced it during his ownership. The car’s service history then charts its movement around the country from then until 2009. In 2000, its then-owner lavished attention on it, ordering a set of tailored carpets from Lancaster Jaguar of Reading. The present owner is the seventh, and she acquired it in June, 2015. Shortly after purchase, she reregistered with the private number E12 XKR.
Perhaps surprisingly, this Jaguar has two V5s, the first pertaining to its original registration and the second to its present number. There is an comprehensive MoT history from 2001 onwards, and a very large collection of invoices detailing parts purchased and work carried out by various specialists including Lancaster Jaguar of Sevenoaks in 2005, Surrey Jaguar Centre in 2016 and S.E. Jags in 2020.
Importantly, the Jaguar still retains its original leather wallet containing all the factory booklets, including the Replacement/Continuation Service Record, Sound System, Vehicle Care, Security System, In-Car Telephone, Total Care, Security Radio Code Information, Sales and Service International Directory, Drivers Handbook, Quick Guide and Safety Advice. The Service Record shows that the car was serviced annually between 1999 and 2009, with the exception of 2006.
For a 23-year-old car, the Jaguar XKR’s interior has survived very well, and still looks rather modern. The leather seats have matured nicely over time, acquiring a few creases as would be expected, but there are no signs of damage or serious wear. The carpets are similarly good, and have been kept clean by protective rubber mats. The doors and the headlining are both in quite spectacular condition.
The dash, centre console and steering wheel are outstanding and the handsome dark walnut trim retains a very deep shine. As one would expect, the Jaguar boasts a lot of desirable features, including a clock, air-conditioning and its original radio, CD and tape player.
The boot is beautifully clean and contains both the original warning triangle and a spare wheel which looks as though it has never been used.
When the present owner bought the XKR in 2015, it was described as having been newly refurbished with ‘immaculate bodywork and interior’. Unfortunately, the bodywork cannot quite be called immaculate anymore as it has acquired some very minor blemishes over the subsequent years, such as a couple of light scratches on the rear bumper and some instances of bubbling under the paint where the rear wings meet the bumper, but these are so small as to be very easily missed.
For the most part, though, the Meteorite Metallic paint still looks fantastic, having been partially touched-up in 2016, and you’d be hard-pressed to find much wrong with it beyond what has already been mentioned. Additionally, the exterior glass is all excellent with a new windscreen fitted in 2020, and items such as badges are all present and in fine order, with just a light patina to testify to their age. A previous owner has fitted some aftermarket reflectors to the doors, but the one on the offside has lost its lenses.
The wheels are the standard 18-inch alloy items which, like the rest of the car, present very well with just the mildest cosmetic faults, such as some light scuffs around the rims. Underneath, the car looks to be very solid.
The XKR starts on the button, and the first thing one might notice is just how quiet the V8 is. For what is a very powerful engine, it is remarkably civilised and the same might be said of the rest of the car, which offers a wonderfully effortless driving experience. With its automatic gearbox and power steering, the car wants to do all the hard work and relatively little input is required from the driver. The Mercedes five-speed automatic shifts very smoothly, and the power steering works so effectively that one encounters no difficulty in negotiating a busy car park, in spite of the XKR’s length.
Mechanically, everything seems to be in order for everyday use, and much recent work has been undertaken by the Surrey Jaguar Centre and S.E. Jags to ensure things are as good as they can be. S.E. Jags completed a lot of work in 2020 which included the replacement of the throttle body, rectification of a wiring issue, fitment of a second-hand supercharger coolant pump and repairing the A.B.S. circuit board.
From a safety perspective, we are confident that the car is all sound as its MoT test on 16th September with no advisories. The MoT remains valid until 7th October, 2022.
Even as the motor industry changed and the classic era disappeared, Jaguar stood fast by its old motto of ‘Grace… Space… Pace’ and that is reflected in XKR. It sports elegant looks clearly derived from the E-type, but is that much quicker, more reliable and altogether more usable in the modern world than its predecessor ever was. Better still is that Jaguar did not scrimp on the interior appointments, so the XKR really was a grand tourer in the traditional sense.
This example has evidently been very well cared for, and money has been spent as and when necessary to see that it has always remained on top form. Combining classic looks with modern practicality, this is a car with unlimited potential as a stylish everyday car, or a fun GT for weekend leisure motoring.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
RESERVE LOWERED - 1998 Jaguar XKR
About Max Bids
The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.
Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.
Anti-sniping
Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.
Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.
Auto-bidding increments
If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.
Bid Amount
Increment
£0 to £9,999
£100.00
£10,000 to £49,999
£250.00
£50,000 to £99,999
£500.00
£100,000 +
£1,000.00
Automatically outbid immediately
When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.
You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.
Matching max bids
When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.
Pre-authorisation
We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.
What are pre-bids?
A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.
Problem with your bid
Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.
