Limited edition model marks seven decades of Jaguar sports cars
Already this year a great deal of time, money and column inches have gone to celebrating the 70th anniversary of one of motoring’s most iconic sports car manufacturers. With 2018 being seven decades since Porsche’s first 356 rolled off the production line, it’s perhaps understandable that that is the story which has dominated proceedings. But Porsche wasn’t the only company to start building sports cars in 1948, and it’s certainly not the only one keen on marking the occasion.
The XK120, unveiled at the London Motor Show in that year, was originally intended only as a testbed for Jaguar’s new XK engine. Interest was so great, however, that it was put into production virtually as it was. In the blink of an eye, Jaguar had not just entered the sports car market, but built the fastest production car in the world.
Fast forward 70 years, and the company has changed beyond Sir William Lyons’ recognition – and is set to change further still – but production of a sports car remains a priority. Despite the F-Type now getting a little long in the tooth, it continues to offer a unique appeal in its segment and fly the flag for the British marque in the process. You can see where this is going…
What better way for Jaguar to celebrate than a special edition of that car, then? Well, we can certainly think of a few, but this is what we’ve got for now. The F-Type Chequered Flag is based on the recent MY19 facelift but improves on that car with exclusive 20-inch Gloss Black wheels, red brake calipers and the addition of Jaguar’s Exterior Black Design Pack, which adds SVO extended side sills to “subtly increase visual width and give the car even greater presence and poise.” A Black Contrast roof will also be available on the coupe. Yeah, not quite as all-out as a Speedster, is it?
Internally the Chequered Flag benefits from a Windsor Leather interior including Performance seats with embossed headrests, a Dark Brushed Aluminium centre console trim finisher and, “in recognition of Jaguar’s motorsport successes”, a steering wheel with discreet Chequered Flag logo and red leather band to mark the 12 o’clock position.
Chequered Flag editions F-Types are available to order now, with prices starting from £62,335. There’s no doubt it’s a smart looking car, but still it feels more like a marketing afterthought than a fitting tribute to the XK120. Surely there has to be an old one knocking about that could do with a little of Jaguar Classic’s tlc?
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