Journal

A chronicle of people, places, happenings, and creations we admire.

Jaguar Announce 3 "New" Continuation Models

Jaguar have announced the 'Continuation' of three Heritage models.  The D-Type, the XKSS (McQueen drove one) and the XK-E Lightweight will have their remaining numbers fulfilled after a factory fire put a stop to production 60 years ago.  The last D-Type, for example, left the assembly line way back in 1956.  Using an archive of original drawings, details and methods, all remaining cars will be hand-built to period-correct detail. 

Kev Riches, Jaguar Classic Engineering Manager, said: “Recreating the nine D-type-derived XKSSs was hugely satisfying, and an even bigger technical challenge than the six missing Lightweight E-types, but lessons learned from the XKSS project have given us a head start on the final 25 D-types. Each one will be absolutely correct, down to the very last detail, just as Jaguar’s Competitions Department intended.”

Tim Hannig, Director, Jaguar Land Rover Classic, said: "The XKSS occupies a unique place in Jaguar's history and is a car coveted by collectors the world over for its exclusivity and unmistakable design. 

"Jaguar Classic's highly skilled team of engineers and technicians will draw on decades of knowledge to ensure each of the nine cars is completely authentic and crafted to the highest quality.” 

Not sure how this new release will affect the auction market, we can only assume the electrics will be updated spec, let's hope!

All images ©Jaguar Classic

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Rolls Royce "Sweptail" : A One-Off Masterpiece That Cost £10M To Build

This spectacular example of contemporary coach building by automotive house Rolls-Royce harkens back to to glory years of the early 20th century where the likes of Nutting & Co., Figoni & Falaschi, Gangloff and Hooper ruled the roads of the well heeled driver that came with a chassis, an idea, and a large sum of money.  This one-off creation based on the EX103 evolved over a collaborative period of 4 years between the factory at Goodwood and a clearly dedicated customer.  The 'Sweptail' (as it's named) made its debut at the Concorso D'Eleganza at Villa d'Este on Lake Como.

Sweptail is the automotive equivalent of Haute Couture,” comments Giles Taylor, Director of Design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “It is a Rolls-Royce designed and hand-tailored to fit a specific customer. This customer came to the House of Rolls-Royce with an idea, shared in the creative process where we advised him on his cloth, and then we tailored that cloth to him. You might say we cut the cloth for the suit of clothes that he will be judged by.”
Inspired by the beautiful coachbuilt Rolls-Royces of the 1920s and 1930s, the customer’s desire was for a coachbuilt two seater coupé featuring a large panoramic glass roof. As a connoisseur of Rolls-Royces, he was inspired by many of his favourite cars from the early 20th Century, as well as many classic and modern yachts.
Over the course of a number of years, Taylor and his team of designers engaged with the client in a wonderfully intellectual journey as they worked together to realise the customer’s distinct vision and bring it to life. The result of this one-off coachbuild project is the completely unique Rolls-Royce ‘Sweptail’.-- Rolls Royce Public Relations

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£65 million worth of Aston Martins unleashed at new St Athan plant | Aston Martin

Watch an incredible celebration of Aston Martin’s heritage, bringing together 28 very special Aston Martins with a combined value of £65 million in a film produced to celebrate the transfer of ownership of the three super hangars at St Athan. Enjoy the glorious sights and sounds of Aston Martins from the A3 to the DBR1, the One-77, numerous Vantages, Rapide S and of course the Aston Martin Vulcan, as they spread their wings at St Athan.

The Andrews Collection at RM Sotheby's: 1959 Lister-Chevrolet

RM Sotheby's has a very special example of British-American racing cars at auction today, Saturday, May 2--the 1959 Lister-Chevrolet.  This gorgeous machine (Chassis No. BHL / Engine No. 3789935) with lightweight aluminum "knobbly' body that many Lister cars are famous for, is mated to a 436 bhp Small-Block Chevrolet engine making for a potent combination back then, and we suspect so even today.  This cars holds lap records at Oulton Park, Goodwood and Spa, Belgium, has proper FIA paperwork and would make any serious collection complete.

$500,000-$650,000 (No Reserve)

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Images ©RMSotheby's / Andrews Collection