Thornley Kelham shows off first ‘European GT’

At last, Jaguars other than Series 1 E-Types are getting some love from the restomod outfits. E-Type UK makes their ‘Unleashed’ models based on the later V12s, TWR is back in business with a mad, bad XJS, and now Thornley Kelham has completed its first XK120. This follows its recent 911 build in the ‘European’ Series, the Jag christened the European GT. There will be just 25, Thornley Kelham describing it as ‘the very embodiment of a redefined, re-engineered, reimagined vision of the Jaguar XK120’. Which certainly doesn’t sound bad. 

We have to start with the way it looks. The preview of this car shown in 2022 hinted at a more muscular, broader, sexier ‘120, and it’s great to see that vision has made it to the real thing. Chief Designer for the GT project was Paul Howse (formerly of McLaren, with the P1 on his CV), and his work was nothing if not drastic: more than 2.5 inches was chopped from the roofline. The arches are wider, the wheels are larger at 17-inch, and Howse suggests there’s now a “much more sculpted shape” to the Jag. Compare this to a standard car (check out the XK120s for sale here) and you’ll see how much narrower and taller the original seems, more even than the stats suggest. What was a prim and proper sports car now resembles a real hot rod – and is much better for it. 

All the bodywork is undertaken by Thornley Kelham’s in-house craftspeople, starting with a car that needs a resto rather than the best that can be found (with only 12,000 ever made across six years, it’s not like sourcing an old 911). From there more than 2,000 hours is spent on making the XK better, each panel hand-formed using English wheels; though the panels go together on a precision jig and are seam welded, using the wheel means every panel will be unique. ‘The near-imperceptible differences arising from this centuries-old process ensure that no two cars will be exactly alike’, says TK. More than 1,000 hours alone is spent in the paint shop for this flawless finish. 

The European GT retains the XK straight-six, but this is far from a mere rebuild of the 3.8. Using a new aluminium block has contributed towards a 30 per cent weight reduction over the original, there’s electronic ignition and a drive-by-wire throttle, plus it’ll rev to 7,000rpm. There’s a hand-formed stainless steel exhaust, as well as a five-speed gearbox in place of the original Moss four-speeder for better cruising. Standard spec is 300hp and 280lb ft, though a Fast Road spec ups that to 360hp and 318lb ft; a large (and potentially very desirable) gain, but exactly how it’s been achieved hasn’t been detailed yet. Presumably it’ll go to an increased capacity. 

There are substantial changes in the chassis, too. The wishbones are now TK’s own design, built from aluminium for a bit less unsprung mass; suspension is by Intrax coilovers and Eibach springs all-round, with adaptive damping optional; it’s steered by a Quaife rack and pinion setup that’s just 2.5 turns lock to lock. Indeed with all that on top of a new rear end – with trailing arms in place of the original leaf springs and live axle, plus a PowrLok diff – this GT will be a world away from any XK120.

Perhaps some will say too far removed, but the original is now 75 years old; it isn’t really like working on a 30-year-old Porsche. Even the best untouched Jaguars will be hard work (and not very good) by modern standards, so if power steering and disc brakes and everything else brings one back from the brink then that sounds like good news. 

The interior receives just as much attention as everywhere else, with an all-new dash that closely resembles what came before, plus the usual roster of desirable modern kit: heated screens, climate control, Bluetooth, wireless charging… even the steering column is adjustable now. And the seats are lower; partly to make the driver feel sportier, but then don’t forget about the dramatically lower roof. The GT is, of course, decked out in the finest materials as well, including Wilton carpet and Connolly leather. From here it looks as sumptuous as we’ve come to expect from Thornley Kelham – the door card is a work of art.   

Co-founder Simon Thornley said of the latest creation: “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.” There will be just 25 of them made, with every aspect customisable to the buyer’s request. Back in 2022 it was suggested that the price was going to be from £550,000 plus a donor car – don’t expect that to be any less two years down the line.