Jaguar XK 3.8-litre back in production
Classic division offers new straight-six to vintage Jag owners only - for £14,340
Jaguar Classic has brought the legendary XK 3.8-litre straight-six back into production, offering the made-to-original-spec motor exclusively to owners of vintage models. The XK engine powered a whole host of fabled Jaguars including the XK150, Mk2, and E-type, and while it bowed out of production more than half a century ago, its legacy continues to this day – even helping to add some historical kudos to JLR’s latest inline six motor.
The remake of the original XK won’t be available off the shelf like, say, the four-pot Cosworth motors produced with technical ties to the Mk2 Escort engine; Jaguar Classic will only supply it’s the new unit to owners of original models, which also include the XK150 S, MkIX and MkX, as well as the S-Type. Proof of ownership will be required before owners are ‘allowed’ to hand over £14,340 in exchange for building their shiny new straight-six.
With ownership documents approved, it’s then up the customer to choose whether their new engine uses the same serial number as their original block, stamped on the new casting with an additional asterisk denoting the new block is a replacement item. Or, whether they’d like the new block to be stamped with a new, unique serial number. Something tells us most will be going for the former option, given the onus there is on originality in the classic car market.
Some owners will likely retain the original unit while using the new motor in their car. That way, they’ll have all the option to put their classic back to its original status, while running around with a fresh engine that comes with a 12 months Jaguar parts and accessories warranty. Sounds like a decent offering to us either way – especially if it keeps many more classic cars on the road.
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Are they worried about genuine engines ending up in replicas, or are fakes and frauds a big problem?
Why not just sell them.. There has to be a really good reason
No details of the engine? i.e. what do you get for your £14k? Pictures just show a block, presumably that's not all you get......
https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic.com/jaguar-3-...
Most old blocks can be made fully serviceable even at max rebore limits using liners. Cracks in the casting can be stitched and the deck can be refaced. Once blasted and repainted it won't look any different to a brand new one..
cast xk blocks are far from rare, even in things like 3.8 e-type form, i have a couple in my garage, most restorers can source you a replacement correct block
i suspect the fuss about ID is to stop using the data to recreate the missing outside bonnet lock e-types from later cars
By re-stamping them with the original serial number (even with a Fighty Gaul next to it) it allows the owners to throw in a new block and retain it's 'matching numbers' value, so they'll pay more for it. Maybe there are a lot of old E-Types out there with the 'wrong' engine that they could increase the value of by fitting the right new engine, how much digging will JLR do to check... I doubt they'll be digging around the engine bay of some old E-Type to check the Engine number, they'll supply the correct one for the chassis.
I can't imagine, even if they sold full crate motors anyone was going to "Straight Jag 6 swap" an RX7 with a blown rotor like they would say an LS so the market was tiny anyway.
These Romans are crazy if they'll pay 14k for just an obelix like that!
top work. The World needs more Asterik & Obelix references. 
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