My car B Pillar sticker lists the build date as April 2002. The Heritage certificate also lists this as build date. The Ford Corp. database site listed build date as 2-02-2002. Perhaps my car chassis was either begun or completed at mid year model change, then sat for a while before the drive train and wiring,etc. were installed. Parts Cat. (SNG Barrett) list many parts for the 2003 model beginning at #A30644 while my car is #A30056. Another incident that alerted me early on was a Front Cover emblem with the 4.0L badge rather than 4.2L as other 2003 have. The British Car Industry seemed to use extra existing badges,etc at model change over when the updated ones should have been installed at beginning of new run. This VIN # issue surfaced when I ordered a T/B Elbow gasket, but included the Complete VIN #. I listed the part # for the A30644 ,but it was incorrect. Please share your thoughts regarding an explanation why my VIN # is prior to the series of numbers listed for 2003 change-over, but it has the drive train of 6HP 26, 4.2L Engine and electronics.

 

That is an excellent question. I have always suspected that Jaguar's record-keeping along the way as the XK8 model evolved over time may not have been as precise as it should have been. Your car may be a perfect example of that....

 

What is the digit in your VIN two before the A? If it is 2, then it is a MY 2002 car, if it is a 3 then it is a MY 2003. I think.

I would be very surprised if a 4.2l XK left the factory with a 4.0 badge on it. Assuming that you haven't had the car from new is there a chance that the previous owner just rebadged it erroneously?

... I wonder if your car was assembled in the UK in the 2002 MY, but exported to US (imported to US?) for MY 2003?

Either way I would buy parts that match the VIN, not an arbitrary model year.

 

Just a couple of random thoughts...
The VIN on the B pillar does match that on the dash?

Could the powertrain have been replaced? Does the engine # make sense with the build date?

Curious

 

Thanks for info and replies. The digit prior to the A is Two (2). Guess it began as late 2002, then completed and shipped as 2003. Regarding the Badge, I've sourced parts and worked with various British makes of cars for 30 years, it seemed to be a trait among them to continue with some badges and minor parts until supplies were exhausted. The 4.2L badges are almost non-existent w/o discovering a recent salvage donor.. #2 reply is reasonable, I will continue to use total VIN when ordering parts. Thanks again!

 

The implication here is that the 4.0L engine and the 4.2L engine use different gaskets, and your engine required the 4.0L gasket. Are you sure you have the 4.2L engine?

 

The intent was to illustrate that Jaguar and other British Car Companies made design changes after the introduction of their original designs. This also continues today with most all manufactures. Most parts suppliers require/request a VIN # to insure the correct parts are provided. My engine is a AJ34 (Early design) as evidenced by the different elbow gasket it required. Had I not provided the VIN #, I would have the incorrect gasket and not know there was a difference. Even though the AJ series V8 used a common water pump, the 4.0L uses a completely different thermostat tower,engine cover and Intake manifold. The following were clues my engine was a 4.2L. The engine cover and other features such as intake manifold, etc left no doubt as to the identity of the engine in my car. Running changes during production are not uncommon and has been accepted practice for many years. Regarding the 4.0L Badge, it is a possibility the Front Cover was replaced with a earlier Cover due to accident. There is no visible evidence of repairs; that leads me to consider the Badge was a "Hold Over" from previous stock before the 4.2L Badges were available. The chassis obviously sat for a long period which seems to indicate Model changeover taking place.
Having a Heritage Certificate, the Build Data from Ford Corporate Records and 50+ years of parts experience leads me to my conclusion.