1998 Jaguar XJ8 Vanden Plas LWB Saloon

Vanden Plas is the name of coachbuilders who produced bodies for specialist and up-market automobile manufacturers.  Literally the name became a top-end luxury model designation for cars from various subsidiaries of British Leyland and the Rover Group, last used in 2009 to denote the top-luxury version of the Jaguar XJ8.

Direct from the plant in Brown's Lane, England, we give you the Vanden Plas edition of the Jaguar XJ8 with a mere 93,841 title verified actual miles.  With steel panels covered in dress black, aptly named for the former specialist and upmarket automobile industry manufacturer, now the name branding of the Jaguar luxury market.  Driven only on Sundays to church and never in the rain this 2 owner special car is up for grabs.

Exterior
This year still hangs on to the dual headlight, separated chromed grille, and non integrated bumper version for the exterior.  A seemingly solidly built car in 4 doors, and black paint is nice with straight shiny rust free steel showing a few dents and dings on the front neoprene bumper.  Chrome and trim is nicely preserved and is utilized sparingly and tastefully on this car.  The hood has a leaper cat for its ornament, and the small kidney shaped grille is a standalone version of the front of this car.  Standard 16-inch Jaguar wheels are on all 4 corners and tires are good on this long wheelbase car.

Interior
Barley ultra padded leather nicely dances with lacquered burl veneer and some electronics along with deep set analog sweep gauges and some green digital readouts.  A panel rises from the console making up the center dash, which houses the AM/FM/Cassette player, seat heater controls, and shift lever and all in a field of more highly lacquered burl.  Looking up, a tight eggshell white headliner sports a sunroof in the middle.  The front buckets are covered in barley leather and have a nicely rounded overstuffed shape and sport controls for nearly unlimited electric adjustment.  Some darker brown piping makes the delineation between the inserts and bolsters.  To the rear bench, which is wonderfully spacious and has access to the back fold out lacquered burl trays that hide within the backs of the buckets up front, and their own centrally located seat heater controllers in the console.  Nice deep tan thick pile carpet covers the floors and sculpted molded leather mixes with more curved and rounded burl on the door panels adding a nice finishing touch to the interior when passengers are encased within.  All with plenty of legroom in the back and a back storage to accommodate a steamer trunk!

Drivetrain
An 8-cylinder 4.0 liter engine is nicely tucked into a clean and corrosion free engine bay.  This has digital EFI and 5 speeds for the ZF 5HP24 automatic transmission and a 3.06 conventional axle on the rear.

Undercarriage
All clean, and structurally sound underneath with no rust seen on any surfaces.  Independent coil springs for the front, and an independent rear suspension provide the ride, and power disc brakes all around bring the ride to an abrupt halt.

Drive-Ability
For this test drive I decided to have my decoder and pro driver take me for a cruise anywhere other than the test track.  We wound our way through the countryside of Berks County, and I was treated to a pleasurable chauffeured experience.  A shout out to the stereo which saved me from him droning on about all the features of this beautiful car!  But I digress and it does provide a great comfortable noise free ride.  Acceleration was snappy, and the interior luxurious.

Vanden Plas was known for their upscale chassis, body, and interior modifications to numerous car manufacturers.  Then Jaguar took the company for themselves and began putting their trappings on their high end cars.  This is the luxurious and beautiful result, ready to be driven away with the turn of a key.

SAJKX6244WC822574

SAJ-Jaguar United Kingdom Passenger Car
K-Vanden Plas 
X-Manual Belts, Front Airbags
6-4 Door LWB Saloon
2-4.0L V8
4-Automatic LHD
4-Check Digit
W-1998
C-Brown's Lane Assy Plant
822574-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.