DRIVETRIBE Tackles the UK’s Cheapest Jaguar XKR
Getting a deal on a Jaguar XKR means buying one with some issues — so that’s what the DRIVETRIBE blokes did.
Back in October, Jaguar announced the F-Type 75 and F-Type R 75 special editions, and since Coventry is going full electric, that means they’ll be the last of their kind. Soon, petrol-powered Jaguars of any kind —much less sports cars — will be a thing of the past. Naturally, that’s sparked interest in some of the late-model machines, like the XKR, and as a result, prices are starting to climb. So if you’re looking for a proper bargain? You’re going to have to go for one that’s a little rough — and that’s exactly what Mike Fernie and the DRIVETRIBE blokes did.
The example in this video was purchased for just $4,750, which is less half of what the cheapest example I found on Bring a Trailer went for. And while first-generation cars don’t fetch the prices of the second-generation models, it’s still normal to see them crest the $20k mark. For what it’s worth, this particular XKR was bought for what it doesn’t have — namely rust. That’s rare for a two-decade-old kitty, and its solid sheet metal is said to be due to it having come from Japan, where the roads aren’t salted.
Exactly why it’s a left-hand drive isn’t explained, but I’d guess that it came via the States, or another country where the wheel is on the “wrong” side of the car. Now obviously, the lack of tin rot is great, but the car has its share of issues. First, there are numerous bits of trim missing, and the interior has seen better days — the center console is actually floating free. More importantly, after sitting for two years, the supercharged 4.0-liter needs some love.
Fortunately, after being given a freshening up by Tom Robinson and the lads at Swallows Racing, it runs — even if some heavy smoking means a fire extinguisher needs to be kept ready.
The bad news is since it left Coventry, the force-fed V8 has lost a whopping 90 horsepower, as it’s only pumping out around 280 ponies. According to Robinson, that’s likely due to a couple of issues, including a lack of boost, and potentially, a bad gearbox. That said the box is coming out anyway, as Fernie plans to do a three-pedal swap on this baby. Which gearbox do you think they’ll go with? Check out the video below, and let me know!
Photos: YouTube