Based on the urgings of my 16 year old car enthusiast son, I purchased a very nice 84K mile, 1997 XK8 Coupe (Red with Chrome wheels) off DFW's Craigslist this week. I didn't need another car, but it was too nice to pass up. Not often nearly 20 year old cars in Texas have bright original paint, an uncracked dash and the leather isn't cooked... and the surprise that sealed the deal: all the electronic gizmos seem to work properly.


Originally purchased in Charlotte, NC in 12/1996 it lived in NC until 2012 when it came to Texas. It was purchased at an estate sale last year by the guy I bought it from. Only a few years in Texas kept sun damage to a minimum. Having owned multiple Carolina cars before, I appreciate their lack of rust when compared to the Nebraska or Illinois cars I own.


Our intent is make the body/chassis 100% mechanically sound, then eventually swap in the head/cam LS1/T56 drivetrain that currently resides in the Camaro sitting in my driveway.


#1 on the Repair list is car needs new Front wheel bearings. Driving the car 40 miles from the sale made this obvious. Steering wheel angle controls the volume of the howl.


#2 get a spare Key and Remote (16 year old kid). Need to know what Key to buy and whether or not it has an immobilizer (being such an early car for the US)


#3 put some miles on it and diagnose, then remove the clucks and thuds in the chassis.



#4 long term - modify it with new wheels/tires (19 or 20s), lowering springs, ideally a 3.27:1 rear axle with limited slip and add the LS1/T56 drivetrain.




Other than the bearing howl, I love the way it drives. Previously, my son and I restored a derelict Miata so we are looking forward to more involved build with the Jag. It should be a fun learning process.

 

Welcome to the forum UNGN,

Good to have you with us at Jaguar forums.

Follow this link XK8 / XKR ( X100 ) - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the XK8/XKR forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for information on regular issues.

Please remember to add vehicle details to your Signature to help others to give relevant advice. Go to the User CP button on the left of the top menu bar, then Settings & Options under Your Control Panel. Select Edit Signature and enter the details.

You can also visit the US Southwest Region forum by following this link US Southwest - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to find other members in your region.

Enjoy the forums.

Graham

 

Welcome aboard.

 

Welcome UNGN! Good luck to you and your son on this endeavor, hopefully it'll be a great time for the both of you, well three including the XK8

 

Welcome.

 

welcome to the forum - enjoy!!

 

My dad bought the most fun car he ever had only because my oldest brother badgered him until he did. It was the first V8 he ever had, but Not the last!!

Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')

 

Welcome to the forum

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forums UNGN,

Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help

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