What do you think of this damaged XK8 as a rebuild prospect?

[steve_m]

Well done and could luck with the resto.

[mike020150]

Keep up the good work! Mike.

[SimonR]

A little update on the XK8.

I left the story last time just as I was on my way to Coventry to pick up some panels. Prior to purchasing the car, I'd spent a bit of time tracking down the panels I needed and I found a specialist XK8 parts supplier online who was advertising a near identical 2003 car in the same colour that he was breaking for spares. Seeing as my car had 17" wheels with tyres dating from 2011, I was also on the lookout for some replacement wheels and the seller also had several sets available so it seemed a good opportunity to get everything in one place. I messaged him about the car and requested the parts: passenger side wing, front bumper, headlight, and complete bumper support panel, including overriders and mounting brackets.

On arrival, I was in for a disappointment - it turns out that the car I'd spotted and corresponded about was one that he'd dismantled months ago but he hadn't bothered to take the advertisement down. Even though I'd been specific about what I needed, he never once told me that he no longer had the parts and instead, what he was offering was a wing and bumper from a 1999 car. The problem was that the wing was suffering from surface corrosion around the wheel arch and, of course, the bumper was an earlier-style one. They were also at what I'd consider to be a premium price.

Having driven for two hours and seeing as I wanted to get the car rebuilt, I decided to buy the parts (at least they were the right colour, right?) and also picked up a set of wheels which had been freshly powder coated in a dark grey, with what I was told were new tyres (I should have checked the DOT codes, but they looked new and unused).

When I got home, it was time for major buyer's remorse this time - I checked the age of the tyres and they were already 8 years old - Damn - and the panels were a slightly different silver. A couple of lessons learned there. Luckily I was planning to be near Coventry the following week so I arranged to swap the wheels and bought some more expensive ones from the same supplier, this time with four new Pirelli P0 tyres on them.... Result.

Fast forward to this Easter Monday - I took the family to Kings Lynn for the day and managed to prang my Mrs's BMW to the points it's no longer driveable so I've spent today rebuilding the XK8 so it can be pressed into service while I turn my attention to the damage to the BMW. It's hopefully not too bad!

Today's video: https://youtu.be/z0ZFcBWcxS4

[andypryce]

Wow! Busy time!

[mike020150]

Much sympathy! Love the enthusiasm to get the XK8 back to its former glory. Mike.