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Jaguar creates custom Greatest Hits XJ for Iron Maiden drummer

Manufacturers like Alfa Romeo and Toyota are trotting out Nurburgring-themed special editions like NRING and GRMN, but for Jaguar, it's all about the NWOBHM. That's New Wave of British Heavy Metal, for those who do not start their day with some '80s hair metal turned up to 11. Jaguar is celebrating the venerable XJ sedan's 50 th anniversary this year, and as part of that, the Jaguar Classic Works department in Coventry, England, has built Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain's perfect Series III XJ. The custom car, nicknamed "Greatest Hits," is the product of over 3,500 work hours and 4,000 redone parts. The Series III is, for some, the ultimate development of the first XJ body style, and McBrain's car is his third Series III. It's in most respects a restomod, as the front and rear bumpers, headlights, wheels, infotainment and other details have been modernized; the interior features rock-inspired custom touches like the guitar amplifier-style rotary knobs on the dashboard. The speakers of the 1,100-watt audio system are from the 2012 model year Jaguar XF, as those are what McBrain prefers. The steering wheel logo is a combination of the Iron Maiden mascot, "Eddie," and the Jaguar "Growler" logo. The Jaguar leaper mascot on the hood is from McBrain's first Jaguar XJ6; the paint is a special deep purple, and the interior has been retrimmed with Pimento red leather. But it's not just the appearance of the "Greatest Hits" XJ that has been massaged, as the 4.2-liter straight six of the 1984 XJ6 has been upgraded with three E-type SU carburetors. It also has a custom exhaust with quad tailpipes. There have been nine XJ series so far, and the 10th version is expected to arrive sometime next year. There are persistent rumors that it might eschew internal combustion completely, facing a reinvention as an electric sedan instead. Related Video: Featured Gallery Iron Maiden Jaguar XJ "Greatest Hits" View 13 Photos Image Credit: Jaguar Aftermarket Geneva Motor Show Jaguar Luxury Classics Sedan 2018 Geneva Motor Show

Hot Rod Garage series premieres with 700-hp big-block Jaguar XJ

Roadkill hosts Mike Finnegan and David Freiburger have broken up - kinda - to spin off a new show, Hot Rod Garage, that mostly gives up the driveway and parking lot wrench work for the confines of a garage. We say kinda because while Finnegan is the primary host for Hot Rod Garage, Freiburger plays guest host and the new show starts off by wrenching on the Roadkill Draguar project car.
What's the Draguar? It's a 1974 Jaguar XJ12 that's about to be force-fed a 383-cubic-inch Chevrolet long-block engine with tidbits like Holley carbs, a Weiand 6-71 roots blower and a "custom WillBlow transmission," all good for about 700 horsepower. After that Finnegan gets into swapping parts on his wife's El Camino and some TIG welding lessons.
You can check out the first episode below. And in case you're worried, no, Roadkill isn't going away.

Petrolicious examines a very special Jaguar C-Type

There are rare Jaguars, and then there's this stunning C-Type Lightweight Le Mans. Built in response to the dominance of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL at the 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans, Jaguar made only three C-Types for 1953 and managed to capture first, second, and fourth. These cars featured four-wheel disc brakes – a rarity at the time even in endurance racing – and a lighter aluminum body. The two SU carburetors were swapped out for three Webers, meaning more power and, according to RM Sotheby's David Swig, better throttle response. Swig would know. In the latest video from Petrolicious, he takes the fourth-place C-Type for a ride, giving us a look at the sleek open-roof racer in action, while our ears enjoy the delicious sound of the 3.4-liter, twin-cam straight-six. "What I love about these cars is how communicative they are on the road," Swig told Petrolicious. "How when you're going through a corner, you feel in the seat of your pants and through the steering wheel every little movement, every little pebble that you drive over." Beyond the driving experience, there's something to be said of the historical seat Swig is occupying. "No less than five Le Mans-winning drivers of this period have sat behind the wheel of this car," Swig said, "which almost give you goosebumps." Should you have the money, you can actually put this iconic racing Jaguar in your garage. RM Sotheby's will offer it for auction as part of its glitzy Monterey Car Week event next month. While you can look forward to our coverage of that event come August, you can enjoy the sight and sound of this iconic C-Type in the latest episode from Petrolicious.