LaSource is proud to represent Thornley Kelham, one of the most well-respected restorers of rare and spectacular vehicles in the industry, having won most of the major international concours d’elegance events on at least one occasion, despite only being founded in 2008.
XK European GT
Redesigned by renowned ex-McLaren designer Paul Howse, Thornley Kelham’s aim is to combine the glamour and beauty of 1950s Hollywood with the muscularity, performance, and comfort expected in a true GT today. The XK European GT, designed by Thornley Kelham, delivers breathtaking looks from any angle; clearly paying homage to the ground-breaking XK120 with echoes of period Bugatti.
An all-aluminum body clothes an uprated chassis, a ‘fast road’ all-alloy Jaguar straight six delivering searing acceleration, waves of torque, and an engine note one will never tire of. Every aspect of this beautiful machine has been revisited; combining concours-level craftsmanship with 21st-century technology including drive-by-wire throttle, programmable ECU, totally redesigned suspension front and rear, uprated disc brakes all around, and an interior designed to encourage long-distance drives in comfort. Comfort is provided by an interior with recognizable echoes of the original XK120, but more sophisticated modern GT than traditional members club. Gone are slabs of walnut or steering wheels aimed at the driver’s heart, as Paul Howse’s redesign provides supportive seats and an H-point that means drivers sit IN the car rather than on it. Optional heated seats, electric windows, and central locking bring this XK into the 21st century.
To use Paul’s words: “The overall impression is of a tauter, more purposeful XK that respectfully pays tribute to the great Jaguars of the past”.
THE DESIGNER’S THOUGHTS…
Paul Howse, ex-McLaren Senior Designer speaks:
The idea of improving or modifying any iconic design is one that must be approached with great care. One has to be very respectful for what was originally designed in a very different time using very different tools. My vision was to meld the latest state of the art Automotive Design techniques with time-honoured craftsmanship – to create ‘purposeful beauty’. With that in mind, when I set out to design the XK European, I knew it had to be instantly recognisable as a Jaguar; as if it had come out of the factory in the late fifties as a ‘skunkworks’ project. Almost as if Jaguar had done to the XK120 what they did with the Lightweight E-Types… More muscular. More assertive.
The first major task was to lower the roofline so that the proportions become more elegant and purposeful, and also link to the Aurelia Outlaw treatment. The next was to add some form/curvature to the bodyside as the standard car is actually quite flat. All the body sections now have an acceleration to them which adds sculpture and muscle but also lightness. The arches are wider both at the front and more significantly at the rear with wider alloy wire wheels filling them out nicely, giving that ‘road racer ‘stance. We also removed the rather chunky brightwork of the original XKs and instead introduced a subtle crease down the bonnet which follows the split
THIS motor car
The Jaguar XK European is based on near-derelict 1950s XK chassis, and no more than 25 coupés will be built. Chassis Number One has already been commissioned and is now in progress in the Thornley Kelham workshops.
To find out more, see here: Jaguar XK European or contact us at sales@LaSource.co.uk
Why James chose to add Thornley Kelham to the LaSource Collection
I was approached by TK – as they refer to themselves internally – in 2022. As with all brands, I spoke with them on the telephone initially and then agreed to meet them at their facility. On arrival I was instantly struck by their extraordinary workmanship. Despite my McLaren Special Operations background, it was genuinely the best body and paint finishing I’d ever seen, so I started to pay attention.
As the tour of their sizable facility developed I was surprised by just how many of their clients were either friends of mine, or indeed heavy-weights of the concours car collecting fraternity. It was clear that TK was a hidden gem in the restoration world, but more importantly – at least to me – was that they had recognised the growing importance of modernising classics for a new generation and were eager to build out a brand in that space to sit alongside their concours winning restoration business.
Founded by Simon Thornley and Wayne Kelham, TK started out in 2007 and by the time we met had grown organically into a business employing around 40 people. The business (and its people) exudes style. Product quality and customer satisfaction is their absolute priority and there isn’t a whiff of the “car trade antics” which are alas common in our industry.
Thornley Kelham are only a small corner of the LaSource world, but I spend more time working with them than anyone. Their outlook, their products and their attention to the details makes them a joy to work with and I wholeheartedly recommend their cars.
James Banks – Founder of LaSource