Spotted: Jaguar XJ-13
Discussion
Hi 456mgt,
Bit more involved than building a Westfield, hence the retired engineers bit.
As for the £100k price. Yes it's a replica, but for that you're getting a hand formed aluminium body, which is never going to be cheap.
Did an article about Proteus for Australian Jaguar magazine some years back when they were based in Bolton, and having visited the factory I can tell you that the standards of workmanship and attention to detail were first rate.
Yes, it's expensive, but you do get a lot of man hours and a fantastic car for the money.
Bit more involved than building a Westfield, hence the retired engineers bit.
As for the £100k price. Yes it's a replica, but for that you're getting a hand formed aluminium body, which is never going to be cheap.
Did an article about Proteus for Australian Jaguar magazine some years back when they were based in Bolton, and having visited the factory I can tell you that the standards of workmanship and attention to detail were first rate.
Yes, it's expensive, but you do get a lot of man hours and a fantastic car for the money.
JonRB - and anyone else - you are very welcome at our place on Saturday (or any other day!). This Sat we are having an area JEC group visiting us, so all the more reason to come. The `XJ13` will be in the showroom - or maybe on the road depending upon the weather. But - and this is defintely NOT a replica - you will also be able to view our XKSS - the very first one: Chassis # 701; now THAT IS a real rarity! So, what ever car you turn up in (BUT Police cars are BANNED!) you will be assured of a very warm welcome.
Very interested to look at this posting...... if any one is interested in building an XJ 13 I know of a set of moulds that you can use together with chassis plans etc. Just e mail to me you are interested. I also know of a set of moulds for an XJR9 1988 Le Mans.... These are getting very hard to find so please only contact me if you are serious. All the very best
andymadmak said:
I heard a story about the first of the XJ13 replicas that was built.
Apparently it was for a business man who went to someone like Proteus or Vicarage with an old magazine photo and said - "Build me one of them!"
Jaguar let the company take critical measurements off the "rebuilt" original, and "Voila!" one new XJ13.
The best bit comes with the engine story though. The original XJ13 had a 5.0lite, 500hp quad cam V12. It was this engine that was detuned into the 272bhp 5.3 litre SOHC/bank V12 that we saw in the V12 E type and the Xj12/S etc.
The obvious thing was to fit the road engine to the replica, but apparently somebody at the builders phoned up Jaguar and said "I don't suppose you've got a spare Quad Cam engine lying about?"
The answer was Yes they did! Brand new and still in the crate. The deal was done and Mr Business man got the car of his dreams, complete with Le Mans engine.
Dunno if its true, but I'd like to believe it anyway.
Andy 400se
More or less but the story of how the engine came to leave Jaguar is somewhat more complicated than that! The car was built by Brian Wingfield for Walter Hill in Florida, who also had two C types, the Walt Hansgen D type, an SS90, chassis 27 and one of the last commemorative E types, two XKSS' and the Group 44 XJR5's amongst others. Here are photos I took at the launch of the new XK in South africa.Apparently it was for a business man who went to someone like Proteus or Vicarage with an old magazine photo and said - "Build me one of them!"
Jaguar let the company take critical measurements off the "rebuilt" original, and "Voila!" one new XJ13.
The best bit comes with the engine story though. The original XJ13 had a 5.0lite, 500hp quad cam V12. It was this engine that was detuned into the 272bhp 5.3 litre SOHC/bank V12 that we saw in the V12 E type and the Xj12/S etc.
The obvious thing was to fit the road engine to the replica, but apparently somebody at the builders phoned up Jaguar and said "I don't suppose you've got a spare Quad Cam engine lying about?"
The answer was Yes they did! Brand new and still in the crate. The deal was done and Mr Business man got the car of his dreams, complete with Le Mans engine.
Dunno if its true, but I'd like to believe it anyway.
Andy 400se
Edit: the V12 used in the XJ13 was 5 litre qud cam with gear driven cams. The engine in the E type is 5.3 litre chain driven cams. Not the same thing at all I'm afraid.
Edited by lowdrag on Sunday 2nd March 14:43
lowdrag said:
Edit: the V12 used in the XJ13 was 5 litre qud cam with gear driven cams.
A bit late now but "for the record" ....The V12 in the XJ13 was 5 litre quad cam with chain-driven cams. The current gear-driven engine wasn't installed until a rebuild in 1978 (the project ended 11 years earlier in 1967).
As confirmed by reference to Jaguar Heritage's own engine records.
Hi
Resurrecting this post.
Such a beautiful car needs attention !
What about this .. Not sure how many Proteus cars are out there, but comparing this to. Proteus C or D type .. This looks cheap ?
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24005/lot/22/
Little info on the car .. Interested if anyone has any views.
I love these C,D types & the 13 but still learning.
Clearly an original of any is out of the question for me ... But these replicas are a real tempter .
Appreciate views
Rich
Resurrecting this post.
Such a beautiful car needs attention !
What about this .. Not sure how many Proteus cars are out there, but comparing this to. Proteus C or D type .. This looks cheap ?
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24005/lot/22/
Little info on the car .. Interested if anyone has any views.
I love these C,D types & the 13 but still learning.
Clearly an original of any is out of the question for me ... But these replicas are a real tempter .
Appreciate views
Rich
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