That a beautiful! Not that its important but just to clarify.......I just checked Jaguar colors. The Carnival red for 97 is close but a brighter more cherry colored then ours is. There was a Moroccan Red Pearl in 97 that is very different from your car's color and is the color of our car. Again....not important to me.....but I wouldn't have even bothered looking it up if you had not pointed this out and its helping me to learn.....Thanks. And I will certainly have the tensioners checked.

 

If the XK8 is like every other Jaguar, you can get the interior and exterior three letter color codes from the sticker on the jamb/edge of the drivers door. You can then look up the exact Jaguar name of the colors.

If the sticker is somewhere else on the XK8, I'm sure someone will point that out

Nice looking car, and in great shape. Enjoy it for what it is

But do check the typical issues, fix what needs done, then drive it with confidence. Once the common issues are checked/sorted, they are reliable modern cars and it will serve you well.

I'm not an expert on the V8, but here's what I recall. Others can correct/add as needed:

- Timing chain tensioners updated to 2002+ models
- Plastic thermostat housing replaced with metal
- Updated water pump with metal impellers
- Service the "sealed for life" transmission
- Make sure your differential fluid has been changed
- Check your suspension bushings, shocks, etc



Good luck!

 

Just to confirm you have a modified XK8, the vents have been added and the bonnet shield hacked out to fit the vents. Double 5 18" wheels added , a much later 2001+ chrome plinth and boot (trunk) added along with an XKR grill and it is Carnival Red. The badges have also been swapped for XKR badges.
XKRs were made in 1997 as prototypes and sold on by Jaguar. The first official cars were sold from 6th May 1998. XK8 prototypes date from 1995.
Some history info.
XK8/XKR ENTHUSIASTS CLUB (XKEC) - X100

 

I went home and checked the information and B700 right the last two prototypes date from 1995 and they were the show cars released for the introduction of the XK8

 

That's very good news. You usually don't see those cars ever on the street. Most companies crush the prototypes......Good news indeed.......Mike