Whitley, UK - Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), the growing English brand with its sights set firmly on the future, has proven its respect for the past by buying the world’s largest-known privately owned collection of British classic cars.
The acquisition comes shortly after the creation of JLR’s new Special Vehicle Operations division, and just ahead of the introduction of an all-new Jaguar XE model, but underscores the carmaker’s understanding of heritage.
The collection of 543 cars, am-assed by UK millionaire James Hull over the past few decades, features about 130 classic Jaguars including a rare alloy-bodied XK120, pre-war SS models, 19 XJSs, 20 XJ saloons and numerous C-, D- and E-Types.
The new Special Vehicles Operation division, which is responsible for projects such as the Range Rover Sport SVR prototype and F-Type Project 7 which harks back on the legendary D-Type Le Mans racers, will now also oversee the newly opened Jaguar Heritage workshop tasked with maintaining the collection. Jaguar Heritage will also offer warrantied servicing and restoration of classic Jags.
Jaguar says that cars in the collection will be actively used at functions around the world to build support and focus on the brand’s heritage.
No details were given on the price paid for the lot, but when it officially went up for sale earlier this year, James Hull was asking £100 million (R1.8 billion).
“I have got to know Jaguar Land Rover well in recent years and they have borrowed cars from the collection for events such as the Mille Miglia and supporting Jaguar in China,” said Hull after the sale.
“They are the perfect custodians to take the collection forward and I know it is in safe hands.”
Mercury Motoring