Jaguar MkII by Ian Callum unveiled 01 | 09 | 2014

    JAGUAR'S SCOTTISH DESIGN guru, Ian Callum, has unveiled his unique, personally redesigned Jaguar Mark II. The Dumfries-born designer, director of design at Jaguar Cars had the car reengineered by leading restorers Classic Motor Cars Limited (CMC) and was unveiled at the opening of the company’s new headquarters in Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

    The 18 month joint project between Callum and CMC endeavoured to retain the integrity of the original Mark II, whilst making it even more exciting in shape and performance. 

    “This is a very personal statement," Callum admitted. "I've long held the notion that, although the Mark II has always been a beautiful car, it could be even more exciting in shape and performance. Whilst maintaining the purity of the car’s form, I wanted to add a number of modern twists to the design. Simplification and clarity was my objective.”

    The car has been redesigned by Ian for his own personal use and, working with CMC's engineers, it now boasts a huge number of aesthetic and technical modifications that make this a practical, reliable, enjoyable and exciting everyday vehicle.

    Featuring a modified and uprated 4.3 litre XK engine, 5-speed manual gearbox, unique independent rear suspension and upgraded front brakes, the Mark II by Callum provides an intuitive driving experience.

    “The stance of the Mark II is already excellent," he continued, "but I wished to make it even better. The car’s form is now 30mm lower and sits on 17” split rim spoke wheels. The bumpers are now part of the overall form. It is a fine balance of extracting and adding.

    “I have always loved traditional louvres as seen on many older race cars. Four louvres appear on the side of the car to add to that sense of power and ‘something different’. Of course they had to work, so they have been designed in a low-pressure area for a better internal airflow from the modified engine.”

    The suspension has been designed and reengineered by CMC. The front incorporates a bespoke power assisted rack, uprated coil springs, roll bar and wishbone bushes, adjustable dampers and solid subframe mountings, repositioned to improve anti-dive characteristics. The unique independent rear suspension now includes uprated coil springs, blade control wishbones, outboard disc brakes, an anti-roll bar and adjustable dampers.

    The car has been fitted with Clarion’s NZ502E single DIN multimedia station, a high technology in car entertainment system with a 16cm flip-out touch screen, amongst other features, and component loudspeakers in specially-designed housings. The cabling has been provided by VDC Trading, as used in the world’s top recording and mastering studios, such as Abbey Road.

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    Peter Neumark, Chairman of CMC, said: “The wide-ranging list of modifications in the Mark II shows just how much design and engineering development has gone into this venture from the original car. To be chosen by Ian Callum to work with him on his project is a testament to the skills and passion that exist within our business, and is something that CMC are immensely proud of.”

    The building was officially opened by motorcycle and Formula One Grand Prix world champion John Surtees OBE and the car was unveiled by Jaguar’s legendary test driver Norman Dewis.

    CMC’s new building complex is one of the biggest of its kind in the UK. Fitted out to the highest standards and with new paint and trim shops, it provides some 40,000 square feet of production space, allowing CMC to cover every aspect of a car’s restoration in-house, except for chrome plating. Another 24,000 square feet is provided for bespoke classic car storage.

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    Jim McGill

     

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