The new Jaguar lightweights

[lowdrag]

Well, it was an interesting programme last night, but what do you make of it all? The first thing that came to my mind, and has done since the project was mooted, was the Sanction 2 Zagato created by Victor Gauntlett. Sold I think for £750,000 if memory serves they were never really regarded as "proper" and I see one sold a couple of years back at about the same price. Sean Lynn, an original lightweight owner, didn't like the idea of the new lightweights but his car is as original as trigger's broom having had a number of serious accidents, including being seriously stuffed at Fordwater by Dario Franchitti. I was behind the same car at Silverstone when it was stuffed and caught fire in, if memory serves, 1994. But it is one of the originals, nevertheless. Anyway, I digress; Watching the insane level of care being taken to produce these flawless examples has made me realise that I understand as much about the the classic car world today as Noah. It is a world far removed from reality, in the uppermost echelons, as mentioned in the programmes, of the art world. I thought that Jaguar wanted these cars to race, and I guess some will, but only in second division events it seems. The Mille Miglia, Goodwood, so many events will not open their doors. Just like the Astons twenty years back, we have come full circle. Suitcases that will never be used, watches that will never be worn, and cars that will never properly be heard in anger. As a publicity exercise by Jaguar it is superb, and the inference was - or seemed to be - that we might be seeing limited edition cars as Ferrari have done for their richest clients. Anyone for a new XJ330, all Kevlar and gold lining?

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to own one, but the programme left me shaking my heard in, as the americans say, wonderment.

[charlie84rum]

Personally I applaud the level of craftsmanship and dedication by the team making them. Lord March was spot on and absolute, when asked if they could attend Goodwood.
Surely the issue you refer to is that too many incredibly wealthy people are "into" classic cars in so much that they love the kudos of having them and see them as investments.
If your not prepared to throw or have thrown your classic racing car round Goodwood etc then you've completely missed the point. Go and buy a painting or something that was made just to be looked at.

[Roy C]

I always thought that one of the main virtues of a replica was that, not only is it more affordable and available than the original, but you also don't have to cosset the thing. Jaguar seem to be producing these exclusive items as exclusive membership to some form of club (as described by Gregor Fisken). The originals were intended as race cars and race cars always get modified, upgraded, damaged, thrashed, etc.

[Timbo_S2]

The suitcases and watches left me cold. I'd rather they cost less. If I could afford to buy a lightweight, and liked watches, chances are i'd have a very nice watch already, that matches my taste and requirements. Ditto suitcases. I liked the car presentation case though...

Lovely cars, hope they get used as intended.

[austin]

Can I ask what you were all watching?

Sounds like it may be of some interest if it's on iPlayer or similar.

Intrigued to know the difference between these and the new Silver Arrows that were built recently, which were at Goodwood.

[Timbo_S2]

austin said:

Can I ask what you were all watching?

Sounds like it may be of some interest if it's on iPlayer or similar.

Intrigued to know the difference between these and the new Silver Arrows that were built recently, which were at Goodwood.

Was on channel 4 last night. Theres a thread in the TV forum also...

[EXKAY120]

Come on Austin....keep up with the class, it was on Channel 4 last night at 9pm, well worth a look whatever your views, i think we'd all love to own one of these fab, a pretty special bit of kit, is it a replica ? course it is, if someone when out and copied one of our lovely 3.8's we'd be livid, surely. would'nt we ?

[Roy C]

austin said:

Can I ask what you were all watching?

Sounds like it may be of some interest if it's on iPlayer or similar.

Intrigued to know the difference between these and the new Silver Arrows that were built recently, which were at Goodwood.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/inside-jaguar-m...

[Mark A S]

I enjoyed it especially observing great british craftsmanship at its finest. I would have liked more information on the specification of the cars, how light is a lightweight ? how much power and torque, engine spec, G-box, axle, brakes etc as I find that sort of “stuff” more interesting than how expensive the paint finish is.

Jaguar aficionado’s, do please fill in the details

[toasty]

Chris Evans on Radio 2 last night said JLR were also planning on producing the missing XKSSs too.

[Bebee]

They sould do the same for the Austin Maxi make a few again.

They'd be worth, erm...... , well, a boat load of horse st.

[lowdrag]

Mark A S said:

I enjoyed it especially observing great british craftsmanship at its finest. I would have liked more information on the specification of the cars, how light is a lightweight ? how much power and torque, engine spec, G-box, axle, brakes etc as I find that sort of “stuff” more interesting than how expensive the paint finish is.

Jaguar aficionado’s, do please fill in the details

Your wish is my command. The engines are made by Crosthwaite and Gardner and cost around £60,000 each. As you can see the customer is king and can change the specification and gear ratios to suit himself.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/jaguar/88174/lightwei...

[Mark A S]

lowdrag said:

Your wish is my command. The engines are made by Crosthwaite and Gardner and cost around £60,000 each. As you can see the customer is king and can change the specification and gear ratios to suit himself.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/jaguar/88174/lightwei...

Thanks, a good spec I would love to have a go in one, doubt that will ever happen though!

[200Plus Club]

great programme but i felt the ending a bit short when they actually tested it, as though we missed the last chunk.
awesome build, didnt like the suitcases however!

i've had a similar thing in a way with my T70 replica, a guy in Canada wants to buy it but isnt allowed to race it as their equivalent to the MSA deem it to be non compliant, despite being full race spec and probably safer than the original spyders with their miniscule flimsy alloy roll hoops etc, the guy just wants to race alongside period cars.

[Leithen]

lowdrag said:

As a publicity exercise by Jaguar it is superb..

Whilst I agree with everything else in your original post lowdrag, I don't agree about this. I think it's a pretty clunky, poor attempt at resurrecting past glories and will be seen as such.

I ought to be the perfect target market for Jaguar - I can afford an F-Type, have a Jaguar background, but I'm left cold by the whole affair and am far far away from opening my chequebook. They need to start by doing this, and stopping this crap.

[ChasW]

I stumbled across this programme while channel hopping 10 minutes before it started. In principle I have no real objection to the exercise and was really touched by the commitment and enthusiasm of the team involved (apart from the marketing boys). What's annoying some people is that it's a blatant marketing exercise exacerbated by the addition of the luggage and the watch. These cars are positioned principally as luxury indulgences. I think if Jaguar had wanted them to appeal to rich enthusiasts then the approach would have been very different and the "extras" would have been a helmet and some gloves, plus an oily odour in the car. It came close to the recent Rolls Royce documentary when they built a one-off model with diamond inlays in the dashboard and other extravagant features. It's almost as though they are trying to out do each other.

[Longnose]

I guess it would not be permitted the register these cars and use them on the road because they are brand new cars and would need to have airbags, be crash tested etc. to comply with current legislation. So all you can do is use them on a track or admire them in your collection.

[cjb44]

charlie84rum said:

Personally I applaud the level of craftsmanship and dedication by the team making them. Lord March was spot on and absolute, when asked if they could attend Goodwood.
Surely the issue you refer to is that too many incredibly wealthy people are "into" classic cars in so much that they love the kudos of having them and see them as investments.
If your not prepared to throw or have thrown your classic racing car round Goodwood etc then you've completely missed the point. Go and buy a painting or something that was made just to be looked at.

Lord March should practice what he preaches, the Goodwood events are full of replica's and cars that are far from how they were originally produced.

[The Surveyor]

They've done it because they need to, to keep raising the brands profile. Blatant bit of marketing but then again this is what Jaguar have to do to draw their potential customers away from the resale-grey German car market and to reaffirm Jaguar as a credible sporting luxury brand.

The cars are beautiful and beautifully made and are well documented so will always be seen as the 'new' lightweights, so no danger of them ever being seen as original. I'm pleased they've made them and made them so well, the only tinge of sadness I have is that i'll never own one

[Candellara]

cjb44 said:

Lord March should practice what he preaches, the Goodwood events are full of replica's and cars that are far from how they were originally produced.

Correct. Although he's quite happy to have replica GT40's run at the 2013 Revival?

1. 23 -- GT40 P/1029 replica -- 1 MUF -- James "Jimi" Cottingham | Andrew Smith

1. 14 -- M1/10002 Gelscoe replica