Starting 2026 very nicely with a beautiful Jaguar XK8 provided by member Shaun Bellinger, in Shaun's own words:
Let's start by winding the clock back to 1973, the year my Dad took delivery of a Series 1 Jaguar XJ6 4.2, a car that ignited my love of the brand.
Being a long term Jaguar enthusiast I have owned a number of XJ saloons one of which was a 6 cylinder supercharged 4.0.
In purchased my XK8 in June 2021, in truth I had always hankered after owning one ever since the first time I saw one in a Jaguar showroom when they were launched in 1996.
2005 Jaguar XK8 4.2S Final Edition.
The XK8 4.2S also known the Final Edition (White Badge) model was unveiled on March 1st 2005 at the Geneva International Salon Motor Show.
My car was among the last X100 models to be produced by Jaguar Cars at its Browns Lane Plant in Coventy in 2005. It is understood that just 187 examples of the 4.2S Coupe were made for the UK market prior to the end of the production of the model and the release of the all new X150 model.
The AJ-34 4.2 litre 300 BHP V8 engine and the 6 speed ZF automatic transmission remain from the 2002MY upgrade.
This example is finished in Bay Blue Metallic, one of four special exterior colours only available on the 4.2S. Inside the interior is also unique to the 4.2S model, trimmed with soft grain Ivory leather with contrasting black stitching. Only 'S' models came with the straight stitching on the seat faces rather that the curved finish in the standard cars. The Elm veneer dashboard was also newly introduced for the 4.2S and it has black carpet with leather trimmed floor mats. A full Alpine audio system including a now well out of date satnav was also specified as an option taking the cost of it to just over £52000.00 when new.
In recognition of Jaguars racing heritage, special badging and accents adorn the 4.2S. Polished door treadplates featuring chequered flag emblems, the reworked white Jaguar Growler badge on the nose also features new chequered flag accents on the sides of the emblem and there is a 4.2S badge at the rear.
On this 4.2S the original rear exhaust silencers have been replaced with a pair of bespoke stainless steel straight through pipes with black chrome tailpipes. I commissioned Powerflow Brighton to carry out the work and as a result there is just enough of that lovely V8 soundtrack to be heard.
Looking back at Jaguar model history and heritage it is clear that there is a passing resemblance to the much praised E-type, the styling and design of the XK8 is surely to position it as a future classic. They say you should buy either the very first or the very last of a model especially if low production numbers enter the equation.
I love driving this Jaguar and it has been used for a number of UK holidays in Devon and Cornwall.
The XK8 is a regular at Sadcase meetings, feel free to come and have a chatand check it out next time we get together."
