Thornley Kelham: Project based on Jaguar XK120!

Recently updated on April 19, 2022 at 07:20 am

There is news from the British manufacturer Thornley Kelham. It's the first one new Project from the European program with a tuned one Jaguar XK. The model based on an original XK120 coupe based, will be heavily modified during the rebuild and for the time being there is only virtual images from the finished project. Also on board is former McLaren designer Paul Howse. He has also been involved in other vehicles such as the McLaren P1 or the 720S. Paul is responsible for the visual modifications of the XK. A lot of effort is put into reducing the weight of the original XK120 Coupe. The aluminum sheets required are all made by hand. Although the design is optimized during the rebuild, it is basically retained. The roofline was subtly lowered by Paul Howse. Just like the other European project, the Lancia Aurelia Outlaw CSL. Through the more curved sidelines there is significantly more space in the wheel arches. This creates space for larger and wider ones bicycles is needed.

Interior completely new!

To the design of split disc to strengthen, a new kink was worked into the bonnet. This kink then skilfully continues on the roof. With its reduced tail lights the XK now runs out in the form of a drop at the rear. The picture in the front is completed by the new ones Headlightsthat are installed without a chrome ring. So that the interior matches the sporty exterior, it was made with the finest Connolly leather refined. A new dashboard made of aluminum confidently takes up the space below the windscreen. It is part of the fundamental revision and can also be made in the vehicle color if the customer so desires. The driver's gaze is also directed towards classic ones Round instruments. However, the newly designed dials are based on the original layout. The optimized ones Front seats impress with their comfort and the significantly improved seating position.

By sitting lower in the vehicle, you could also lower the center of gravity at the same time. But all this was only made possible by new attachment points that were found for the seats. The seats offer more lateral support than in the original and yet have a classic design. The overall ergonomic picture is rounded off by newly designed Door panels. Almost everything you see in the vehicle is covered with the finest Connolly leather. That also applies to them Seats and Door panels. No savings were made on the standard equipment either. In addition to the discreetly integrated Roll bar count also the modern details like a Bluetooth connectivity for the radio, one Air conditioning as well as electrical power windows on this.

The customer can choose between 300 & 340 hp

With the new key data, the performance of the original Jaguar XK120 with 160 to 220 hp seems downright modest. In order to achieve such a leap in performance, Thornley Kelham had to give the 3,8-litre straight-six a complex engine complete overhaul undergo. The XK European has had one ever since direct injection system. Tailor-made ones went into the cylinder head camshaftsthat through the bored cylinder received strong support. These measures ultimately ensure the new performance data in the vehicle documents. The customer who is between the 300 and 340 hp may choose. And to ensure greater reliability, an improved one has been added Aluminum cooler as well as an optimized one Oil Cooler installed. There are also special ventilation openings behind the front wheels and in the bonnet.

And of course such a powerhouse also needs a correspondingly revised and reinforced one Five-speed transmission. It transmits the power of the engine via the drive train directly to the rear axle, which is connected to a locking differential Is provided. To significantly improve handling, the XK also has a coilover. The shock absorbers come from Bilstein and they work harmoniously with vehicle springs from Eibach. To further improve the handling, the complete Front axle suspension as well as the rear axle redesigned and the Bremsanlage equipped with four-piston calipers all round.

A good craft is worth doing

If you consider that every Thornley Kelham XK European builds on the basis of a run-down Jaguar XK, the workload of over 5.000 working hours not. The great attention to detail can also be seen in the approximately 800 hours that each vehicle spends in the in-house workshop paint shop spends. With the enormous effort, the base price of £550.000 can ultimately be justified. And the price doesn't even include the donor vehicle. How many copies of the XK European are made for the discerning clientele? The British company has so far left this open. However, in a press release, Thornley Kelham speaks of one strictly limited quantity. This will certainly please collectors and lovers of exclusive vehicles. If we get more information about the changes, there is of course an update for this report. You will be informed about this if you simply use our Feed subscribe to. Have fun watching the pictures and stay true to us!

Of course, that wasn't the end of it. Our tuning magazine has tens of thousands of other tuning reports in stock. Do you want to see them all? Just click HERE and look around. Or are you especially interested in our Tuning classics category? Then the following excerpt is tuned Young and oldtimers definitely the right place to browse.

other related posts

Thornley Kelham has a new project!
Photo credit: Thornley kelham

tuningblog.eu - on the subject Classic tuning (Restomods, Elektromods & Co.) we keep you up to date with our magazine. It is best to subscribe to our feed and you will be informed automatically as soon as there is something new about this post. And of course to all other contributions.