Thornley Kelham reveals its vision of the Jaguar XK, the European GT

Following the recent launch of the European RS – a study of the Porsche 911 which has garnered widespread praise for its performance, driving dynamics, luxury, and craftsmanship – the European GT now joins the Collection. It’s the very embodiment of a redefined, re-engineered, reimagined vision of the Jaguar XK120 – the fastest car in the world when it was unveiled in 1948, and the most desirable.

The European Collection is a celebration of a golden era in European car design – a period that delivered some of the most beautiful and revered cars of all time. Taking everything that made them so special, and reimagining them for the expectations of today, they are faster, sharper, more reliable, and more practical, but just as beautiful and engaging as the car that inspired its creation.

The guiding philosophy for each car is: ‘The Design. The Detail. The Drive’. Reinterpreted and reimagined by Thornley Kelham’s team of designers and engineers using cutting-edge technology, and meticulously built by hand using the very same craftsmen and techniques that have won major concours awards throughout the world.

Simon Thornley, Thornley Kelham Co-Founder, said: “The Jaguar XK120 was a seminal model of timeless beauty that began the greatest era in the marque’s history. The European GT is our reinterpretation of this iconic machine, meticulously handcrafted in strictly limited numbers to a standard befitting the world’s most prestigious concours events. The breathtaking design and luxurious interior are perfectly matched to an uprated Jaguar XK engine and chassis in our singular pursuit of excellence, perfected.”

During its production run from 1949 to 1954, Jaguar built only 12,061 XK120s in total, so out of respect for these rare machines, only examples in need of full restoration are selected for the European GT programme. Perfecting each body requires more than 2,000 hours of work and is testament not only to breadth of the redesign, but also to the passion and meticulous attention to detail that defines everything Thornley Kelham does.

Paul Howse, European GT Chief Designer, said: “Lowering the roofline by more than two and a half inches makes the proportions even more elegant and purposeful. The bodysides now have real curvature – which together with the wider front and rear arches, delivers a much more sculpted shape.”

Painstakingly hand-formed from aluminium alloy by master craftsmen using English wheels, every panel is a work of art, and the near-imperceptible differences arising from this centuries-old process ensure that no two cars will be exactly alike.

The panels are then assembled on a precision jig to guarantee dimensional accuracy and consistent panel gaps. Seam welding throughout adds strength and stiffness, while external joints are smoothed to perfection, ensuring a beautifully clean, flawless, contemporary appearance. Once complete, the body is ready for the paintshop, where it will spend around 1,100 hours to ensure the Concours-standard finish that is a prerequisite for every Thornley Kelham project.

Opening the beautifully sculpted door reveals an interior classic in character but modern in execution and technology. The finest luxury materials including Connolly aniline leather and Wilton carpet are used throughout, but every aspect of the cabin has been thoughtfully redesigned to make it more driver focused, more spacious, and more usable.

While the slender three-spoke wooden steering wheel is instantly recognisable, the steering column now offers a wide range of adjustment. The bespoke bucket seats, available with or without headrests, and optional heating, offer greater comfort and support, more fore and aft movement, and are mounted lower to enhance the driving experience.

The instruments set within the all-new dashboard retain the period appearance of the classic Smiths gauges but are now fully networked into the electrical system using CAN bus technology, while features including climate control, electric windows, heated screens, Bluetooth, and wireless phone charging are discreetly and harmoniously integrated.

The view out over the long, louvred bonnet hints at the thoroughbred, race-proven powerplant beneath. Hand-built using a new, lightweight aluminium cylinder block, the 3.8-litre XK straight-six sits resplendent in the engine bay, the polished cam covers faithfully reflecting Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons’ desire for the engine to have the looks to match its performance.

Proven and perfected through five Le Mans victories, powering some of the most beautiful, iconic cars of all time, and in production across six decades, the legendary Jaguar XK straight-six is without equal. Further refined and enhanced for this application, and 30 per cent lighter than the original, the blueprinted, fuel-injected unit features a 10:1 compression ratio and develops 300bhp and 280lb-ft torque. Customers who wish for even more performance have the option of the Fast Road Specification, which delivers 360bhp and 318lb-ft.

Electronic ignition and a drive-by-wire throttle enhance driveability, and the engine pulls cleanly from idle through to its 7,000rpm limit, accompanied by a visceral, spine-tingling sound through the bespoke, hand-formed stainless steel exhaust system. In place of the baulky four-speed Moss gearbox, the new five-speed transmission ensures positive, smooth shifts, and features an 0.8:1 fifth gear ratio for quiet, refined cruising.

The XK120’s competition record is testament not only to its speed but also its chassis engineering, but in the decades since, technology has advanced immeasurably. So when developing the European GT, the aim was to integrate modern technology to deliver a driving experience to match the design and set a new benchmark.

The new front wishbones are completely bespoke and made from aluminium for reduced unsprung mass. They are matched to hand-built Intrax coilover dampers and Eibach springs, with rates meticulously tuned to ensure responsiveness and precision together with exceptional composure. Adaptive damping, available as an option, enables the driver to tailor the car’s dynamic character to taste.

In place of the original rear leaf springs and live axle, our new configuration features trailing arms, again with Intrax coil over dampers and Eibach springs, together with a PowrLok limited-slip differential, ensuring significantly enhanced roadholding and traction.

To handle the extra power, vented and drilled disc brakes with four-piston calipers front and rear replace the original drums. Completing the transformation is a Quaife rack and pinion steering system that takes just two and a half turns lock-to-lock for exceptional responsiveness. This can be supplied with switchable power assistance, if desired.

Hand-made, centre-lock wire wheels ensure a classic aesthetic but match time-served craftsmanship to the latest materials, featuring alloy rims and stainless steel spokes. Three-eared spinners retain them against the lightweight hubs. Customers preferring a motorsport-inspired look have the option of magnesium drilled disc wheels. Both designs are 17-inch and are offered with a range of tyre specifications.

The European GT order book is now open, with production strictly limited to no more than 25 examples. Thornley Kelham’s expert team will work with each customer to tailor the perfect specification for their commission, and customers are encouraged to visit the firm’s Cotswolds Headquarters to tour the workshops and meet the team of experts who will be responsible for handcrafting their car.