Lancaster Insurance joins Club XJ-S to visit Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works

Words By Brian Thomas, Car Club Executive.

As Sir William Lyons once said, “The car is the closest thing we will ever create to something that is alive”.

There are those that say we now have robotics, Artificial Intelligence and a level of automation not seen before, but that would have been beyond the thinking of Sir William Lyons some 70 years ago.

The leaping cat mascot adorned the grille of many Jaguar cars of the time and represented the space pace and grace of every Jaguar built and gave the cars a feminine quality lacking in other vehicles, in short there was nothing like a Jaguar, they were alive.

Nothing epitomises a Jaguar more than the XJ-S which celebrates 50 years this year.

 
As part of these ongoing celebrations Lancaster insurance was delighted to receive an invitation to join the   XJ-S club on a visit to Jaguar Land Rover Classic works in Ryton, which is not normally open to the public.

Firstly, an amazing lineup of over 200 Jaguar XJ-S cars was the welcome sight on the entry to the car park, this visual treat for the eyes, left me in no doubt who had arrived.

Jaguar Land Rover Classic works is one of the special places where Jaguar magic happens.

Classic works is run by a team of passionate and highly skilled people who look after a collection of over 250 historically significant Land Rover and Jaguar vehicles with 54 workshop bays for servicing, repairs and restoration.

It was amazing to see the vehicles in the workshop which were undergoing everything from basic servicing to the early stages of a full restoration, in what was a clinically clean, beautifully lit area.

Walking past the workshop takes you into a collection of Jaguar Land Rover vehicles that almost takes your breath away.

This collection of vehicles is over 2 levels on a series of garage ramps with cars parked underneath them.

Stored here are many vehicles that have a special place in automotive history ranging from cars used by the royal family to pre-production vehicles still in their camouflage. Concept cars catch the eye, Daimler XJS anyone?

 
First and last off the production line cars and the most amazing display of early Jaguars are in this collection.   
Another role for classic works is the keeping and maintenance of an extensive archive of original documents from original sales literature, purchase receipts for cars and factory blueprints from the period, which have no doubt, enabled the creation of new Jaguar and Land Rover parts perhaps previously unobtainable. I would not be surprised if the reproduction of these parts could be to a standard that may well be higher than the original factory parts, this is special, as many in the classic car world struggle with the quality and fit of aftermarket classic car parts.

After touring the workshop and car collection, head back to the showroom where you will find an amazing finale to your visit, on display is a great collection of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles which fully encapsulate the workmanship and passion of Classic works which all have the feel smell and experience of brand-new cars only better.

A notable car that gave me the kid in a toy shop experience was a beautiful Jaguar E-Type ZP collection car based on the specifications of the series 1 E-Type produced between 1961 and 1964.

This car, should you wish to (and could afford to), could be used every day.

Specifications include 265 bhp 3.8 litre engine, with an authentic 1961 electric cooling fan and electronic ignition together with a polished stainless steel exhaust system.

A suite of additional enhancements developed by Classic Works on this car include the Jaguar Classic Infotainment system with Bluetooth, DAB radio and a built-in navigation system.

Classic Works have created for this car a 5-speed close ratio gearbox which requires no changes to the bodyshell, with Synchromesh on all ratios and a reinforced gearbox casing.

For me this vehicle sums up the ingenuity, craftsmanship and skill of Classic Works by creating a beautiful original classic car with 21st century reliability and usability.

Over 2000 hours of Classic works hours has gone into this car, yes, it is for sale, No, I didn’t ask the price.

With Thanks to Ian, David and Chelsea at XJ-S club for this invite. And JLR Classic for picture authorisation.

XJ-S Club where the car is the star.