Thornley Kelham previews Jaguar XK 'European'
Ever wondered what might happen with 5,000 hours and £500,000 put into a classic Jag? Here we go...
Remember the Outlaw Aurelia CSL? Hard car to forget, really, with a 300hp Busso V6 in a hot-rodded Lancia Aurelia body. Now Thornley Kelham, builders of that restomod, is ready with the latest build in its 'European' series - the Jaguar XK European. You'll note there isn't a '120', '140' or '150' after that name, as the XK European is far more than just a specific old Jag with a new engine and nicely done interior. The design is the work of Paul Howse; hardly a household name, sure, but he's an ex-McLaren man, responsible for the P1 and 720S. Thornley Kelham says Howse's design "celebrates the original beautifully aerodynamic lines in a way that remains true to the car's original intentions, echoing the kind of work applied to the E-Type Lightweight." And if ever there's a car to echo, the Lightweight must be it.
Notable modifications for the XK include lowering the roofline (a trick also employed on the Aurelia), adding "some curvature" to the sides of the car with broader arches and new body sections, removing the chrome, sweeping up the rear end and adding a crease that runs the length of the car, tracing the line established by the split screen. Certainly there's a lot more attitude to this car than any other of the period; just look at a standard XK120 by comparison and you'll see a Jaguar that's narrow and dainty, with wheel lost in gaping arches. That's certainly not the case now.
Of course, a Thornley Kelham European commission is about far more than pumping up the bodywork. Though it can't be seen in these renders just yet, an interior that will echo the original "but with a dedication to modernising and improving wherever possible" is promised. We're told to expect lovely leather, body-coloured aluminium in place of walnut, a significantly lower driving position and more supportive seats, plus all the amenities you might need: air-con, electric windows, power steering, Bluetooth and so on. TK says every European customer "will offer the thrill of a classic with the convenience and everyday usability of a modern car." Which sounds pretty great.
Part of that thrill will come from what's under the Jaguar's long bonnet. Though the European retains the famed XK 3.8 straight six, it's been thoroughly overhauled - think naughtier cam, rebored cylinders, direct injection and so on - to produce anything up to 340hp depending on customer preference. Or about double the power in period. Managing that will be a redesigned five-speed manual and four-piston disc brakes behind each wheel. Thornley Kelham says the rear axle has been "completely redesigned" compared to the original leaf-spring car, but hasn't exactly specified how, though the European XK does now get a limited-slip diff. The double wishbone front end is supported by Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs.
Simon Thornley, co-founder of the company with Wayne Kelham, said of its latest European: "With our concours-winning restoration heritage and our years of experience in perfecting our bespoke Lancia Aurelia 'Outlaw' project, we have developed a team perfectly placed to design and engineer a car that reimagines automotive icons authentically, in intricate detail and with a fastidious attention to quality. The Jaguar XK European is, to our eyes, the most beautiful car yet in the restomod sector, backed up with expertise and experience in developing cars that aren't just perfect in their finish, but thrilling to own and drive."
As might be expected then (if you're familiar with the Aurelia CSL), this sort of work doesn't come cheap. Thornley Kelham says XK European numbers will be "strictly limited", and that the first car is spoken for, with prices from £550,000 plus donor car. The aim is to start from an old heap, of course, to save money and really show off what's possible, but good luck with one of those - the most affordable '120 on PH currently is £90k. Nevertheless with a finished product that'll look like this, you suspect European customers will think it worth every penny.
How many “beyond economical restoration” XKs are still lurking in garages, barns, and back gardens or have values reached the point that anything you can recover a legible chassis number from would be considered viable?
I think this is cool, I thought the Healey yesterday was cool, I like Eagles, Alfaholics and I utterly love Singer. I’d have any of those cars way ahead of an SF90 or really any absurdly fast modern supercar.
But, and maybe it’s just a symptom of my life, I don’t find any of them that desirable, as I know I just won’t ever be able to afford them. I think the Singer was the last car I got really really excited about even with the knowledge I’d never have one.
No, I don’t want PH to cover the plastics in the latest Dacia, and I’m not even sure that things were all that different 10, 15 or 20 years ago. But now, rather sadly, I read many of the stories on PH and just think, meh. I do get excited about anything even vaguely attainable, things like the GR Yaris, MX5, GR86. Sure, they’re not even close to being as sexy as these things, but they’re attainable for me, and that gets my interest.
Sorry for the long post to a seemingly throwaway comment, Mr Flashman, but I hope you won’t mind as you’re no stranger to those yourself
With things like this, Bugatti's etc I find myself saying well they should be very pretty/fast etc given the obscene levels of cost.
The fact there is a boom in this price of car since the banking crisis and austerity, is a huge bell weather as to just how gamed our western/global economy has become. All at a time when the Tories have just checked another million into poverty, where 60% of those in poverty are in work.
And yeah PH leave off with the hyper price bs. There is nothing amazing about any of these crass trinkets of wealth when they cost so much in the first place.....and particularly not when the means to pay for these objects often comes off the back of some poor so and so being told to just eat pasta.
Get real you lot.
https://www.shannons.com.au/club/show-n-shine-2020...
https://assets.shannons.com.au/M1AOQ790LTF5R942/OT...
With things like this, Bugatti's etc I find myself saying well they should be very pretty/fast etc given the obscene levels of cost.
The fact there is a boom in this price of car since the banking crisis and austerity, is a huge bell weather as to just how gamed our western/global economy has become. All at a time when the Tories have just checked another million into poverty, where 60% of those in poverty are in work.
And yeah PH leave off with the hyper price bs. There is nothing amazing about any of these crass trinkets of wealth when they cost so much in the first place.....and particularly not when the means to pay for these objects often comes off the back of some poor so and so being told to just eat pasta.
Get real you lot.
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