Jaguar World (July 2023)

The July 2023 edition of Jaguar World includes the following:

◊ Unique XKR: They sample an unusual example of an XK (X100) convertible whose first owner ticked every option on the brochure.

◊ Family Favourite Mk 2: The fascinating tale of a Jaguar enthusiast who tracked down a long-lost Mk2 that belonged to his uncle. The car had left such an impression on him when he was a child that he purchased, restored, and reunited it with its original family.

◊ XJ12 Racer: An encounter with a race-prepped classic XJ that comes with a fascinating history and a Rob Beere V12.

◊ XJS Restoration: Unbelievable attention to detail has produced a late model 6.0 litre coupe which could well be better than when it was new.

◊ S-Type History: Former Jaguar designer Nick Hull pours over the archives to discover the inside story behind the development of the classic S-Type.

◊ TECH - V6 Diesel: They explore the inner workings of the high-tech engine that catapulted Jaguar from catch-up to front runner in the premium diesel game.

◊ Living with the XJ X350: Find out what it’s like to live with the seventh generation XJ which hides its high-tech talents behind retro curves and still makes a practical daily driver.

◊ Workshop – Supercharged V8 Plug Change: They go through the surprisingly involved job of changing the spark plugs on a supercharged 5.0-litre V8.

◊ Workshop – XK Timing Chain: They run through timing chain replacement on the XK engine.

◊ Archives: Snapshot from 100 years of Jaguar (see below). .

This month we open the archives in 1966, with the Geneva Salon in full swing and stylist Pietro Frua in conjunction with coachbuilder Italsuisse proudly displaying his efforts to improve the iconic curves of the E-Type. Compared to other attempts to restyle the E-Type (think Guyson for one) the Frua isn’t a bad effort, but even the most charitable onlooker is inclined to conclude “l wouldn’t have started from there...” after studying the upright Alfa-esque front grille and the awkwardly truncated bodywork which shaved six inches from the car’s length. Although the boxy rear bumper added the missing length and more. The car was in fact commissioned by legendary Jaguar racer and dealer John Coombs who was keen to develop a more individual E-Type he could sell through his Jaguar agency. Amusingly, although Coombs made regular trips to Turin to check on progress, the finished car wasn’t quite what he was expecting and he didn’t get much of a chance to change anything since it was finished just a few hours before the show opened. Based on a right-hand drive 1965 Carmen Red 4.2 coupe, the silver show car was sold on by Coombs not long after its debut but remained in the public eye and survives today.