Thornley Kelham Jaguar XK European
Thornley Kelham’s first new project from their European program is a largely modified Jaguar XK. Former McLaren designer Paul Howse, who was involved in the P1 and the 720S, among others, joined the team for the visual modifications. All body parts are made by hand from aluminium sheets. In this way, Thornley Kelham reduces the weight of the vehicle compared with the original XK120 Coupé. Its basic design was retained. However, as with the first European project, the Lancia Aurelia Outlaw CSL, Paul Howse lowered the roof line. At the same time, he made the proportions more elegant and curved the side beltline more. This created more space in the wheel arches for larger and wider wheels. A new crease runs across the hood, analogous to the two-part windshield, and is continued on the roof. At the rear, the XK now tapers to a teardrop shape. Smaller taillights and headlights without chrome rings complete the picture.
Finest Connolly leather
In keeping with the sportier exterior, the interior also received a fundamental makeover. Below the windshields sits a new aluminium dashboard, which can be finished in body color on request. Its classic round instruments feature new dials in the original layout. New mounting points have been found for the seats, significantly improving comfort and general positioning. At the same time, the driver sits lower, which also lowers the center of gravity. The classically styled seats offer more lateral support and combine with the new door panels to create an ergonomic overall look. Like various other interior parts, they are covered in the finest Connolly leather. Standard equipment includes power windows, air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity and a discreetly integrated rollbar.
Up to 340 hp
The original Jaguar XK120 featured a 3.8-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 160 to 220 horsepower. For the XK European, Thornley Kelham gave the engine a complete makeover. Direct injection, customized camshafts and bored-out cylinders are now on board. Depending on the customer’s wishes, 300 or even 340 hp are available. To increase reliability, improved aluminium radiators, oil coolers and air vents in the hood and behind the front wheels are added. A revised five-speed transmission transfers power to the rear axle with an integrated limited-slip differential. This axle has also been completely redesigned, as has the front axle suspension. A coilover suspension, shock absorbers from Bilstein, springs from Eibach and double wishbones at the front ensure significantly improved handling. All brake calipers operate with four pistons.
Over 5,000 working hours
The journey from a run-down Jaguar XK to the Thornley Kelham XK European takes over 5,000 hours of work. Each car spends around 800 hours in the in-house paint shop alone. Every step of the way involves great deal of attention to detail by every member of the team. This is reflected in the base price of £ 550,000 – not including the donor car. Thornley Kelham has yet to say how many copies of the XK European will be produced. In the press release, the British company only mentions a strictly limited number of units.
Images: Thornley Kelham
