Jaguar launches new Heritage driving experiences, get them now, they wont be around for long.

• For the first time, Jaguar fans from all over the world will have the opportunity to drive models from a unique collection of Jaguar heritage vehicles
• The programme launches in November at the Fen End test facility, near the home of Jaguar Land Rover in the West Midlands
• A variety of experiences will be available, from one-hour drives to half-day Le Mans 24 Hours race-themed specials and a full-hospitality ‘Grace and Pace’ driving programme

Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations today announces the launch of the Jaguar Heritage Driving Experience. This range of exciting driving experiences gives participants the unique opportunity to take the wheel of cars including Le Mans-racing legend Jaguar D-type, legendary E-type and Jaguar’s most potent sports car ever, the F-TYPE R Coupé. Details of the new Jaguar Heritage Driving Experience may be reviewed at: www.jaguarheritagedriving.com

From November 2014 the Jaguar Heritage Driving Experience opens at an established 200-acre testing facility, Fen End, in Warwickshire, where visitors will be offered the chance to drive some of these icons of Jaguar’s rich product history.

Many of the vehicles in the collection will be driven by members of the public for the very first time, having been prepared for high octane test action following Jaguar’s recent purchase of over 500 outstanding British heritage cars from a private collector.

Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations Managing Director, John Edwards, said:

“This is the first experiential offering from our new division and is the first time in Jaguar’s history that we have made a collection of vehicles of this calibre available for ‘arrive and drive’ experiences. It’s an extremely exciting new project that underscores the very essence of what Special Operations is all about – celebrating heritage with our eyes firmly on the future.”   

The collection includes many iconic Jaguars, charting over 100 years of beautiful, fast cars from pre- and post-war road racers and Le Mans champions, to later sporting saloons and grand tourers. A variety of drive packages will be available, allowing visitors to experience a particular era or to journey through Jaguar’s history right up to present day heroes such as the F-TYPE R Coupé .

Example packages include:

Jaguar Experience (ranging from £95 to £250):

From passenger rides to driving alongside a seasoned professional (including some recognisable faces from the world of motorsport), visitors can choose from individual models – including an XK150 or Mark 2 saloon – or selected pairings such as the Series 1 and Series 3 E-type. There’s also the option to drive heritage cars alongside their modern counterparts, such as an E-type with a factory-fresh F-TYPE.

Le Mans Experience (£750):

Re-live the experiences of legends such as Mike Hawthorn and Duncan Hamilton for half a day, with drives in the iconic C and D-types that dominated the world famous 24-hour endurance race in the 1950s.  This package will also feature drives in the XKSS and F-TYPE R Coupé, and includes lunch.     

Grace and Pace Experience (£2,000):

A full day of driving Jaguar Heritage legends, from post-war racers to sports saloons, coupés, roadsters and much more, including the new XFR and F-TYPE R Coupé models.  The Grace and Pace day will also feature opportunities to drive creations from the company’s Special Operations division, and includes chauffeur-driven transfers in classic Jaguar saloons to a lunch venue.

The first visitors to Jaguar’s Heritage Experience days will also be invited to exclusive guided viewings of the ‘Perfect Ten’ exhibition, installed at Fen End for a limited period following its recent launch at the Jaguar XE reveal at Earls Court, London. The ‘Perfect Ten’ is made up of iconic Jaguars selected by a distinguished panel including design director Ian Callum, Lord March of the Goodwood Estate and AC/DC front man Brian Johnson.  The selection includes the ultra-rare SS100 and the one-of-a-kind and priceless XJ13.

STUNNING low mileage Jaguar XK150 'S' Roadster up for auction

A concours standard 1958 Jaguar XK150 ‘S’ Roadster with a fascinating history and just 500 miles on the clock will be offered for sale by Silverstone Auctions at its Classic Sale on Saturday 27th July.

Estimated at between £175,000 to £195,000, this particular model has benefited from a restoration project lasting nine years which was only completed in 2009.

The main reason for the incredibly low mileage is that its first owner, a Mr JJ Dolce of Salt Lake City, Utah, who was a speed enthusiast, barrel rolled the car at the Bonneville Speed Trial in 1959, not long after he took ownership. Following the spectacular crash, the car’s remains were bought in 1960 where it sat in dry storage for the next 40 years.

Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions, said: “This is the most amazing XK150 that Silverstone Auctions has ever seen. Not only is it in a superb condition thanks to a painstaking restoration project, but it also has a fantastic and fascinating story to tell.

“Also, with just 500 miles on the clock, this has surely got to be one of the lowest mileage cars of its type in existence, and we’re delighted to offer it at the Silverstone Classic Sale.”

When the XK 150 ‘S’ 3.4 Roadster was produced it was the fastest production car available.

After its long period of dry storage, this car saw the light of day again in 2000 when renowned UK classic car restorer Mike Ball of Beacon Garage and bodywork guru Ray Miles, of DMR repair centre, commenced their intricate restoration project.

There is a photographic record of the entire restoration process in the history file and it is detailed in a Jaguar World magazine article.

“Nine years of hard work and meticulous attention to detail has been spent on this XK, but what time well spent that was. The end result is what you see today….a concours standard car which in turn has become a magnificent piece of Jaguar history,” added Nick.

Other Jaguars confirmed for the sale at the home of British motorsport include a 1969 E-Type Fixedhead Coupé Series II, estimated at between £30,000 to £35,000, a 1970 E-Type Series II Roadster, estimated at between £50,000 to £60,000, and a 1973 E-Type V12 Roadster, estimated at between £40,000 to £45,000.

Meanwhile, for more information about the 1958 XK150 ‘S’ Roadster, or any of the lots on offer at the Silverstone Classic Sale, then visit www.silverstoneauctions.com.