A beautiful light blue Jaguar XJ Sport V8, seen in Beijing some six years ago. The Jag’ was in very good shape but sadly missed the Jaguar hood ornament. The five spoke alloy wheels were factory standard. A strikingly pretty car yet nobody seemed to notice. And I noticed, for the first time, the odd indicator situation, with similarly shaped indicators on the front part of the bumper and on the side.
I just love the Jaguar badge, showing an aggression that was once part of the brand’s DNA, when Jaguar was still racing a lot, and winning.
The XJ Sport was a sporty variant of the X308 Jaguar XJ that was made from 1997 until 2002. The Sport offered stiffer suspension, sportier seats, and bigger and wider wheels.
In Europe the Sport only came with the 240hp 3.2 liter six, but in the U.S. it was also available with the 290hp four four liter V8, and that is what this great Beijing car has under the bonnet. Lone ‘box was a four-speed automatic.
The X308 XJ was never officially sold in China, but some cars arrived via diplomatic or other misty channels. Our blue green was likely originally sold to the U.S. and somehow ended up in China.
The interior was in a fine overall shape, with light beige leather and dark brown wood. The leather was a bit worn, with some damage on the left side of the driver seat, but the wood is still very good and all the buttons seem functional. Radio-cassette player and clock are original.
The Jaguar badge on the front fender.
The original Jaguar warning sticker, telling the bad guys the car is equipped with a Jaguar security System, so they’d better back off. Silver V8 badge on the B-pillar.
The five spoke wheels looked very different, in design and character, than any other Jaguar wheel at the time. But they work well under the XJ, especially with those extra wide tires.
It was later afternoon. The sun was going down on a Jaguar.
The cool XJ Sport badge on the back. A really special Jaguar and the only one of its kind I have ever seen in China.