RE: Thornley Kelham unveils European GT Roadster
RE: Thornley Kelham unveils European GT Roadster
Monday 1st September

Thornley Kelham unveils European GT Roadster

Standard European GT not glamorous enough? Here comes the drop top


They’re busy boys and girls at Thornley Kelham right now. Following its incredible Lancia Outlaw builds and stunningly restored European RS 911, there’s now a new version of the Jaguar XK120-derived European GT: behold the Roadster. Pitched as nothing less than a ‘refined and exhilarating evolution of one of Britain’s most iconic sports cars’, the Roadster made its debut at Salon Privé over the weekend. 

The spec broadly follows that of the hardtop, with a rebuilt XK straight-six that’s both 30 per cent lighter and up to 200hp more powerful than the original. Which is a fairly auspicious place to kick off from. The 25 Roadster customers will be able to choose from a standard 300hp tune of the now-3,868cc engine, or an optional 360hp ‘fast road’ derivative. Either sounds like plenty with less than 1,200kg to move (actually less than a ‘120, thanks to the aluminium alloy bodywork), especially with a five-speed manual and limited-slip diff to really get stuck into the driving experience. Max power is at 6,500rpm, it revs to 7, and Thornley Kelham says the sound is ‘spine-tingling.’

As was the case with the European GT, the Roadster benefits from an extensive chassis overhaul as well. Aiming to ‘deliver the best handling Jaguar XK ever’, TK fits this car out with bespoke aluminium wishbones up front and rear trailing arms instead of the original live axle/leaf spring arrangement. Eibach springs are paired with Intrax dampers (with adaptive items available as an option), with steering via a Quaife rack and pinion setup that offers up 2.5 turns lock-to-lock. Those who want power assistance can have it. 

Whichever options are plumped for, all Roadster buyers get the same stunningly rebuilt body. Handcrafted in aluminium and styled by Paul Howse - once of McLaren, recently responsible for the Lanzante 95-59 - this European GT gets the same sort of overhaul: lower, wider, more modern and more assertive, without losing the fundamental prettiness of an XK120. Howse added: “Alongside the open top design, the bodysides now have real curvature - which, together with the wider front and rear arches, delivers a much more sculpted shape.” Any colourway is possible, of course; of the 6,000-plus hours invested in making a Roadster, more than a thousand of those are spent in the paint shop. 

The inside is just as lavish, decked out with Connolly leather and Wilton carpet; concessions to modernity include climate control, Bluetooth, heated seats and even an adjustable steering column, so drivers of all shapes and sizes should fit. It certainly looks like a fabulous place to spend a sunny Sunday morning. 

“Jaguar XK European GT Roadster is our tribute to what the XK could have become if Jaguar had continued to develop it in-period,” said Simon Thornley, director of Thornley Kelham. “It’s respectful of the original but bolder, more focused, and ready for the open road in every sense.” The price is from £750,000 - best get seeking out a donor car…


Author
Discussion

PRO5T

Original Poster:

6,039 posts

42 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
I saw this at Salon Privé yesterday, you could see (something like 10mm of!) daylight between the door and B pillar from inside.

silvermog

74 posts

156 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
There is definitely something wrong with the renders (or their aspect ratios) as displayed, take a look at the side view of the burgundy car versus the side view of the alloy prepped body, the tail stretch and the side louvre positions are all out of proportion.

I'm a little ambivalent to the side louvres in general, they seem a little out of keeping with the otherwise beautiful lines, maybe its because they seem a little large and lost mid panel to me (maybe also a little too try hard Ferrari, maybe).

Lovely thing in general, but I'd be keen to see some less prepped photos taken by a good photographer of the actual car from Salon Prive.

GTRene

19,563 posts

241 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
Nice in itself, but I would have preferred those 2 large air intakes in the front with mesh in front and then for example in the car color.


thegreenhell

20,134 posts

236 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
Not doubting the workmanship, but it looks like someone trying to make an XK120 replica without breaching Jaguar copyright.

NGK210

4,049 posts

162 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
thegreenhell said:
Not doubting the workmanship, but it looks like someone trying to make an XK120 replica without breaching Jaguar copyright.
^This.
And it’s all very well giving these oldens eye-popping power hikes, but when they’ve the structural integrity of a biscuit tin, where’s the proportionate increase in crash protection?
Sure, Singer ups its restos’ bhp, but it also adds ABS, ESP and TC, and offers extra rollover protection as an option.

WPA

12,300 posts

131 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
thegreenhell said:
Not doubting the workmanship, but it looks like someone trying to make an XK120 replica without breaching Jaguar copyright.
+1 Was thinking the same

CG2020UK

2,718 posts

57 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
Lovely in green

LotusOmega375D

8,889 posts

170 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
Jaguar DID continue to develop the XK in period: XK120 (alloy then steel) > XK120C (C-Type) > XK140 > XK150. All road cars were produced in roadster, DHC and FHC formats.

nismo48

5,502 posts

224 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
Nice workmanship and for the time and effort put in a nicely turned out car.

Cold

16,157 posts

107 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
What's the deal when you come to register this car with the DVLA? Is it a new car or is it a highly modified car?

Nobody13

638 posts

219 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
Doesn't do it for me, but each to their own. I didn't like their European RS 911 at all, although, I did like their Outlaw Aurelia CLS and that is a lot less expensive (cannot use the word cheaper in this context) than this "European GT Roadster".

There is a lot of choice with a £750,000 budget (if only).

Edited by Nobody13 on Monday 1st September 23:36

Mikebentley

7,531 posts

157 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all


I would buy this back and spend £100k upgrading it if I had £750k spare. I’d still have £600k left over too.

biggbn

27,860 posts

237 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Love the xk120/140/150, for me they knock later e type into the bin. This is gorgeous to my eyes, what a shape.

Demonix

685 posts

229 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
As it's now autumn and the weather is miserable the GT with its roof is more appealing as I don't live in California. Lovely looking thing if you have a large enough wallet and all year round sunshine.

leglessAlex

6,177 posts

158 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
biggbn said:
Love the xk120/140/150, for me they knock later e type into the bin. This is gorgeous to my eyes, what a shape.
Same.

That said, an Eagle Speedster vs this would be a tough choice, they're both gorgeous.

andy43

11,838 posts

271 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Beautiful.
I’d use it to drive to the beach with the dog in the passenger seat.
I’d climb in and out of it without using the doors.
Only problem would be my house would be beachfront.
Maybe I’ve not thought this through…

redchina

495 posts

278 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
no practicality complaints from me, as I will never own it.

(and it will only ever be driven 1000 miles a year tops anyway)



Its a Stunner.


want.

Need.

orangeracer6

15 posts

158 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
PRO5T said:
I saw this at Salon Privé yesterday, you could see (something like 10mm of!) daylight between the door and B pillar from inside.
I also noted this as there were no door seals, but later discovered that the build was incomplete- obviously spent too long in the paint shop!

HeMightBeBanned

623 posts

195 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
£750k for something that doesn't quite look like an XK120.

Passer-by - "Wow! Is that a Jaguar XK120?"
Owner - "No, but it's similar."
Passer-by - "But was it made by Jaguar?"
Owner - "No. It's a restomod by a company that you've probably never heard of."
Passer-by - "Do you mean Eagle? I've heard of them."
Owner - "No, they're not as well known as Eagle."
Passer-by - "Ok, so it's a kit car then?"
Owner - "No. They started with an old Jag and turned it into this."
Passer-by - "How much did your not-quite-a-Jag that isn't an Eagle cost? Cheaper than a real one, I suppose?"
Owner - "Three quarters of a million quid."
Passer-by - " ... "

It's a tough sell.

leglessAlex

6,177 posts

158 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
HeMightBeBanned said:
£750k for something that doesn't quite look like an XK120.

Passer-by - "Wow! Is that a Jaguar XK120?"
Owner - "No, but it's similar."
Passer-by - "But was it made by Jaguar?"
Owner - "No. It's a restomod by a company that you've probably never heard of."
Passer-by - "Do you mean Eagle? I've heard of them."
Owner - "No, they're not as well known as Eagle."
Passer-by - "Ok, so it's a kit car then?"
Owner - "No. They started with an old Jag and turned it into this."
Passer-by - "How much did your not-quite-a-Jag that isn't an Eagle cost? Cheaper than a real one, I suppose?"
Owner - "Three quarters of a million quid."
Passer-by - " ... "

It's a tough sell.
Alternatively, for anyone vaguely proficient in the art of knowing when people don't need to know the details:

Passer-by - "Wow is that an XK120!?"
Owner - "Sure is, buddy"
Passer-by - "It's lovely. Expensive?"
Owner - "More than I want to repeat, but it makes me smile"
Passer-by - "Well, it sure is nice. Enjoy it!"

Obviously I assume you were being tongue in cheek, but I defintiely know more than a few who really think that casual comments from passers by deserve very serious and pinpoint accurate replies. They don't. Most people are just trying to have a nice casual interaction.

(I'm aware of the irony of myself giving such a serious and humourless reply biggrin )