In Brief:

• Finished in Carnival Red
• Ivory leather interior with contrasting black interior trim
• Substantial history file
• An appealing modern classic with sporting specification

Auctioneer's Notes:

A tidy example of the 1998 Jaguar XJ Sport V8 Auto, combining the traditional refinement of Jaguar’s flagship saloon with the sharper styling and driving characteristics of the Sport specification. Accompanied by a substantial and interesting history file, including the original bookpack, service records, period sales literature and numerous handwritten notes from previous keepers.

Maintenance & Condition:

The history file includes MOT records spanning 2001 to 2025 with only five years unaccounted for, providing a useful record of the car’s long-term use and maintenance. The Service Book contains seven stamps together with two further handwritten entries, with more recent services accompanied by notes detailing the work carried out.

Supporting invoices include replacement of the alternator in 2020 and a brake caliper in 2025. The paperwork that remains suggests regular attention over the years and provides a useful insight into the car’s maintenance history.

History:

The original Jaguar bookpack remains with the car and includes the Vehicle Care and Maintenance handbooks, sound and security system instructions, Maintenance Schedule and International Sales and Service Directory. Further paperwork includes in-depth printed information leaflets and an original XJ V8 brochure. 

Of particular interest is correspondence between previous keepers regarding the transfer of the car’s history. One note explains that an additional envelope of paperwork had been forwarded to supplement a previously sent large envelope of documents. A subsequent handwritten note from the receiving keeper records that the larger envelope unfortunately never arrived, highlighting a potentially significant gap in the historical paperwork.

Despite this, the documentation currently present is still substantial and includes a number of helpful handwritten notes from previous keepers, adding useful context to the car’s ownership and maintenance over the years.

The Model:

Introduced for the 1998 model year, the X308-generation Jaguar XJ represented a significant development of Jaguar’s long-running luxury saloon, most notably through the introduction of the company’s AJ-V8 engine.

The XJ Sport was positioned as the more driver-focused model within the range, featuring firmer suspension and sportier exterior detailing while retaining the traditional comfort, wood trim and refinement for which the XJ had become renowned. Naturally aspirated 3.2-litre and 4.0-litre V8 engines were offered, paired with Jaguar’s distinctive J-gate automatic transmission.

Sale Insight:

A tidy and well-documented example of the desirable X308-generation XJ Sport. While the correspondence within the file confirms that part of its earlier history was unfortunately lost in transit between previous keepers, the surviving documentation remains substantial, including MOT history, service records, its original bookpack, period Jaguar literature and useful handwritten notes. An appealing modern-classic Jaguar combining traditional British luxury with V8 performance and subtly sporting specification.

Estimate:
£1,000 - £2,000