I agree but have to insert, somewhat disappointedly, that by then the dollar will be worth HALF as much. <G><G>

 

"What's even more unfortunate is that Callum seems to have achieved some type of superstar status as he always seems to be the person speaking about the brand at events. You would think it is him and not Mr. Tata that owns the company."

When you design for the critics you begin to lose contact with the public that actual is the intended target for the product you're designing. Remember the truly bland crap that Lexus, Mercedes, Infinity, and others were foisting on citizens who only bought name recognition and not real style back in the listless 90's?

 

Kevin D,
You're spot on. Classic does not necessarily equal Collectible (meaning worth continually appreciating value). An automobile need not be a groundbreaking event to be instantly recognized as a "classic" design where all of the styling elements came together to create a gorgeous and classic look.

I'm not sure these cars will ever significantly appreciate (although they seem to have gone up in value over the last couple of years), but they're already "classic" in terms of appearance and the loyal owner base that continues to maintain and restore vast numbers of them. As I've said before, no one is rushing to restore 15 year old Toyota Camrys but there sure is a continually growing number of new XK8/XKR owners wanting to make their cars as perfect as possible. This portends classic status in the not too distant future.

 

The GTS is a super nice lil sports car. As a kid we had a 1972 model that was absolutely gorgeous. That I wish I owned today. My brother just picked up a Spitfire and he's looking into getting a Porsche 914 2.0... all are, collectible, nice and desirable.

Our XK8/XKRs will at least fall into this category.

 

I got my 2004 XK8 4 weeks ago, and now she is sitting in the garage waiting for our Canadian winter to pass. I keep looking into the garge and admiring the shape and the flow of lines and realize that this could not be mistaken from any angle for anything but a Jaguar. That is one mark of a classic I think, just a glimpse of any part of it and you know what it is. After 40 years of car ownership never have I had a car that I just liked to look at. I have only driven her twice before the snow forced her inside, but Iam feeling like a kid with a new bicyce at christmas again, can't wait until the snow is gone.

 

+1, I agree with you completely. The newer X150 style is a great car and a technical and mechanical marvel but it's styling has lost something. As it drives down the road, the X150 style would be recognized as a top end sports/GT car but not necessarily as a Jaguar. The X100, LOOKS like a Jaguar. It is the proud descendent of the XK120,140, 150 and E-type.


Mark

 

Mark,
As the proud owner of both first generation and second generation XKRs, I completely agree with your assessment. The lines of the former are classic, lower, rounder, more sensual and more beautiful (in my humble opinion). However, the handling, suspension, power, and modernism of the latter are spectacular in comparison to the first gen.

That's why I have to keep both!

 

I sincerely hope so.

 

Classic years are approaching

 

Took my "R" to several shows this year and the best comment i received was from a fellow Jag owner who just the week previous had bought himself a later version XKR (X150), who said...."i wish now i'd gone for your model, love the wood effect the body lines, its really nostalgic & just how a jag should be."
Well chuffed !!!!! TS

 

I have engine number 1186 and my car was built on 30/05/1996 making my car an N Reg

Does having one of the first ever XK8s built make it more valuable or less ?

 

Jaguar built a large number of development and test models for the XK8. I understand the first production car was 1075 so you do have a very early one.

If kept in original specification and with a complete history, it has to be attractive to collectors once values start to rise. Historically the early examples of other models have eventually commanded the best prices.

Graham

 

I love the XK line, however, I have seen no indication they have gained any collectible status. I see no representation of the line at any of the established auction houses (Mecum, Rosso, Monterey).

Prices are still soft. Traditionally, automatic 2+2's are not collectible darlings.

 

Mine is a low mileage under 20k miles and I think I will hold on to it a very long time. I try to drive maybe once a week or once every 2 weeks. I think it will definitely be a classic in the future.

 

These cars are too plentiful and common to become extraordinary valuable in the near term. In fifty years maybe, but not five or ten.
However, as they age and begin to deteriorate, low mileage, well maintained examples are already beginning to show price increases from previous years. But this pricing upward is is based on individual vehicles, and should not be considered the tide lifting all boats equally.

 

By the time our cars are valuable classics, you won't be able to buy petrol or drive a non-driverless car on public roads.

 

The well maintained cars are --to me---already classics. What keeps the prices down are those who let their cars go for the average (posted by non-Jaguar firms) instead of keeping them until the right buyer comes along. That doesn't mean asking prices so high even a crazed man wouldn't buy, but just a little over the "average" listed price. In time, the prices will climb, but not if we keep selling for low prices.

Watch the big auction sales, If the asking price is not bid, the car is removed for another day. This keeps the demand higher. But if the seller lets the car go for a lesser amount then asked, the next like car will go for that lesser price, not the higher one.

Just MHO

 

Maybe. Every time I take mine out people stare and/or ask questions.....just as often as when I take out my '66 Mustang GT convertible. The fact that I can drive it wherever I want, especially long trips, makes it a better, more usable car than a lot of "classics". We'll just have to see. The question might be: Is the first year 1997 going to be more collectible than the much-improved (but still great looking) 2003 model???

BTW: I thought my 1977 Porsche 930 was never going to go up in value so I sold it in 1987 for about $22,000 if I remember correctly. Today, ones like mine are going for $225-250,000. Ridiculous, isn't it. Ya just never know.

 

The Dumbocrat legislature in Kalifornia is trying to eliminate ALL internal combustion cars in about 10 years. Wouldn't that be fun. Asshats!

 

Not sure if it's already been said, but for me the X100 body style is more akin to the D-type, which, maybe controversially, I prefer to the awesome E-type.