Update: Both front wheel bearings changed. There is still a shimmy @ 60mph and an intermittent pull/wandering feeling. I suspect the front tires as one is worn to the belts and one close behind.

Also the brake pedal feels spongy, so a fluid flush is in order as well. Despite the dings, dents and horrible paint, I can still see the beauty in this car.

I can't wait to get this into my father-in-law's hands to fix the body flaws, but for me, roadworthiness comes first.


ps. the color is growing on me as well.

 

You find out that the XK8 is a large car , when you have just bought it, driven home and put it in the garage, go to close the door and its boot is sticking 6" outside. My Lotus Excel 2+2 did fit in just, the car really does deceive the eyes, it looks smaller than it is. Keith

 

Had the brake fluid flush done today while the car was in for a new set of Michelin tires. It was raining on the way to the shop and I haven't driven a car this scary in a while.

I took the interstate on the way back home and she drives so smooth now. That 'wandering' feeling along with the vibration are a thing of the past.

Now I get to use it as my daily driver for a few days while I get the front transmission seal replaced on the STR.

 

Were the new tires Hunter Road Force Balanced? If so, the ride will be even more stable and smooth (and safe)....

 

Today's project - change the convertible top hydraulic fluid. the reservoir was pretty low to start with, so I bought a large meat injector syringe and some clear plastic tubing. Sucked out the old and then refilled to between the lines.

I ran the top through a few cycles, observing each step in sequence and noticed the latch release lagging a bit behind when the top was going down (opening).

I assume the fluid for this circuit is in the worst shape and will take the longest to flush. I will probably do another drain & refill at the end of the next two months.

 

Dropped the kitty off with my wife's father. he will take his time and fix it's flaws before applying a new paint job. here are some 'before' pics to show what he's starting with...

 

Yowza. That paint...

That's starting to happen to mine, but it's still far from that bad.

 

We visited Papi this week and got a chance to see how far along the car was coming. He is basically stripping the whole thing down and going from there. He has done a lot of handiwork with his body hammers and dollys to get the dents looking a lot better.

 

progress!!! won't be long before she's back on the road!

 

Very impressive....

Looking forward to the end result, so please keep us posted. Do you plan to stay with the original color?

 

Looking at the last 2 photos, if you got some rapper or airhead celebrity to cruise around in the car in that state I GUARANTEE you would start seeing all sorts of high end vehicles mimicking the look


Doug

 

Well, since you asked... My wife is trying to decide between keeping the original color or going to a dark burgundy. Either way we may do a pearl or metallic type paint.

 

I know they will be repainted too, but leaving the front and rear black while doing the rest in dark burgundy would give it a Rolls Royce sort of look. Or at least a Mark IX.

 

See, that's the thing about the original color - it's not black. it is a very dark purple color called Amaranth Pearl. A very difficult color to photograph. In almost every light it looks just off-black. She wants something a bit lighter/brighter.

 

Wow! Gave up the turn-the-key and go Miata............Actually, I did the same thing after my wife grumbled about egress from the Miata....and the question of whose lap the dog sits in.......so I was able to get back to my Jaguar roots w/o too much opposition. The body work looks so daunting; your dad has a skill I could ony dream of having. Best of luck and maybe see you guys cruising through Daytona. P.S. Nobody seems to like Revolvers, but I do. 20 yrs from now they'll be back, just like those old Ferrari and Pantera wheels.

 

Last Wednesday a pal from my genetics class gave me a ride to my apartment. (I've been walking to school to save up on gas, getting a bike for X-Mas) He took a look at the car and said, that, although it needs new paint, it looks like it's been well kept. He then said, it has the wheels he likes. I'm like seriously? I'm actually planning on having those swapped.

I was surprised to find someone who likes the revolvers, but apparently there's more of you. There's a picture in the forum of an XJS sporting chrome revolvers. I think they work on that car but not so much on the XK8.

That's purple? Is that an OEM colour? I haven't seen it before. I've actually seen that color in GT4 on an STR. Maybe the video game distinguishes the colour more than a photograph. I always thought your car was black.

Edit: Upon looking at post 26 I noticed the purple in the color, and it actually shows it's not black. What the hell? I'm normally very observant but somehow I didn't notice that the first time. Now that I look at it, and sorry to say this, but the amaranth color with the chrome headlights and the chrome leaper makes it look like a pimp's Jag.

 

Wow. I really had to stare at the pictures to see the purple. It is faintly shown in the rear 3/4 shot, but only because what you said made me look again.

I think this is a rare color. Anyone else seen it before?

 

I thought it was a dark metallic brown, very 1980s....

 

Hi everyone! Tommy's wife Mari here.
The dark purple/black was growing on me (especially because it seems to be such a rare color) but I think I'm going with my favorite burgundy color which I think will look great with the black top. My Dad said the paint will be double or triple the cost (supposedly because red is the most expensive color) but if we're saving tons of money on labor I guess I should get my first color choice.
Tommy and I are going to Sherwin-Williams tomorrow to look at paint chips.
So looking forward to getting my kitty back to enjoy driving it with the top down in the cool Florida winter weather. =^_^=

 

So when does the paint go on?
Looks good so far, I wish could do bodywork. :-(

Have to say almost all the pics show the purple for me.