Monday 5th August 2013

Museum wrongs righted with new Jag display

Exhibition of historic Jags opens at Coventry's Transport Museum

---

Last year we brought you the depressing announcement that Jaguar's Browns Lane museum was to close permanently with no relocation planned.

New gallery spans Jaguar's entire history

Now we've got better news after Jaguar unveiled a special display at the Coventry Transport Museum to house some of the finest cars from its heritage fleet.

'The Jaguar Story - A History of Design and Technical Innovation' to use its full title, is split into five sections covering the 90-year history of SS and Jaguar.

The Early Years runs from the 1920s until the 1940s, but it's in The Post War Boom and Glamorous 50s that the really interesting stuff emerges; this section includes the XK120 that broke the production car speed record in 1953 (at 172.4mph), plus both C and D-types. The Swinging 60s is of course dominated by the E-type, and it features again in Growth and Consolidation (70s-00s) as a V12.

The XJS, perhaps unsurprisingly, isn't quite as celebrated in the new gallery, just the solitary 4.0-litre six-cylinder car on display. Presumably the attention of most visitors will be torn away by the stunning XJR15 and XJ220.

Nope, there aren't any shots without an E-type...

Both generations of XK are at Coventry, and the first F-type produced (a non-S V6) brings it up-to-date.

A few of Jaguar's motor show concepts are also on show, including the fabulous original F-type design study and the C-X75. The traditional saloons such as the Mk II, original S-type and Mk X feature too, giving a comprehensive overview of Jaguar history.

Furthermore, Jaguar has a display of 10 its key cars at the Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon, although that represents a small part of the 140 cars on its heritage fleet, so the latest permanent Coventry addition is important.

[XJR500bhp]

Great to hear this - will be visiting soon

[Chicane-UK]

Will have to pop down for a visit

[Baz Tench]

I went there a couple of years ago and it's a fantastic day out.

Even better now, by the looks of it.

[Redlake27]

Good addition to a great museum.....

I can thoroughly recommend a Midlands weekend out that includes this, the Heritage Centre at Gaydon (just 20mins away) and the Donington Collection (about 40 mins away)

[dbdb]

It's hardly "museum wrongs righted", but it is good to see Jaguar exhibiting some of its crowd pleasers.

[masermartin]

Good to see them restoring a comprehensive display, and in the right area of the country too.

[dbdb]

17 cars, isn't it?

[toppstuff]

Jaguar should never try and forget the XJS. It is good that one is included in the collection.

The XJS was very important. They made them for 21 years and pushed out more than 115,000 of them.

It was ( is?) an unfashionable car at times, maybe even still today, but I think history will be kind to the XJS. I think they look better now than ever, the shape has aged well.

Maybe I like them because they are unfashionable !

[aberdeeneuan]

toppstuff said:

Jaguar should never try and forget the XJS. It is good that one is included in the collection.

The XJS was very important. They made them for 21 years and pushed out more than 115,000 of them.

It was ( is?) an unfashionable car at times, maybe even still today, but I think history will be kind to the XJS. I think they look better now than ever, the shape has aged well.

Maybe I like them because they are unfashionable !

Agree - guy in my road has a late V12 he uses every day, lovely thing to see on the road.

I went to this place a couple of years ago, it's really good. You have no idea just how big things like ThrustSSC really are!

[MyCC]

I just wish Jaguar would take a leaf out of Porsche's book and have purpose built museum at its Castle Brom Factory where buyers could browse the historic models before picking up their latest car. It would be a good money spinner too.

Regards,

MyCC.

[JMC1]

Good to hear.

[jmcc500]

Think there's something wrong with the claimed 172.4 mph speed record... km/h? or 132.4mph?

[School boy]

I was disappointed by the museum, they are on the right track but it was a bit lackluster. Maybe they need more investment. Good luck to them.

[j90gta]

A few years ago, whilst running an x-type, was given a factory tour at Castle Bromwich, and some of the historic fleet were there for customer rides. Had the privilege of being driven in an ex-Moss XK120 hard top. Despite its value, the rather enthusiastic driver managed to have the thing sideways at a roundabout! Mechanically it was perfect but the bodywork and interior had such a rich patina you couldn't possibly have it restored as you would have wiped away its very rich history. Top Gear last night showed that the U.K. still has a fabulous motor industry. Jaguar should find a permanent site to display its collection.

[JaguarsportXJR]

I'll be going here again quite soon, I'd imagine.

[DonkeyApple]

toppstuff said:

Jaguar should never try and forget the XJS. It is good that one is included in the collection.

The XJS was very important. They made them for 21 years and pushed out more than 115,000 of them.

It was ( is?) an unfashionable car at times, maybe even still today, but I think history will be kind to the XJS. I think they look better now than ever, the shape has aged well.

Maybe I like them because they are unfashionable !

Massively out sold the E-Type. About 140k v 70k. OK, they were in production for longer but that also tells you something.

[MissChief]

Mueseum? Was the spell check having a long lie and coming in late on a Monday?

[JMC1]

Whilst on the Jaguar News.
I was sorry to hear of the passing of John Coombs aged 92.

[smilo996]

Jag used to have a large collection at Castle brom. A Barbie / Paris Hilton XJS, racing XJS, the original F type concept and the jigs from the Series 3 bonnet. Not interesting until you realise there were 90 bits of metal to place and weld. Taking very long time to do. There a number of other interesting cars but none of it was open to the public.
So hopefully the new display does do the Leaping Rat justice and will be added to.

[MikeGalos]

jmcc500 said:

Think there's something wrong with the claimed 172.4 mph speed record... km/h? or 132.4mph?

Wikipedia lists it at 132.596 mph (213.393 km/h) setting the flying mile speed record in 1949. There's also a 172KM/H in 1950 for 24 hours record for the XK120. But 172.4mph from an XK120? In 1953? Not that I've ever heard about.

Edited by MikeGalos on Monday 5th August 21:01