Wednesday 24th June 2020

Jaguar XK 3.8-litre back in production

Classic division offers new straight-six to vintage Jag owners only - for £14,340

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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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Why the hassle about proof of ownership?

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