Jaguar heritage collection. See it before its gone

[Speedman]

Following a link on FB (it does have its uses!) I found the Jaguar Heritage collection, a museum that houses about 30 rotated classics from Jaguars huge collection. The building is on the site of the old factory on Browns Lane in Coventry. After the factory closed and moved away the land was sold for housing and the five year reprieve that the museum was given at the time has ended so they are closing and put everything in storage. Chatting to the curator of the place they hope to reopen in a few years when space and money are available.



I managed to find a lunch break whilst working up the road and was really impressed with the place. Its automotive heaven. First in through the front door was Jaguars Formula one racer, but behind that was one of my poster cars.



The 1988 Le Mans winner




Group 44 SCCA racer


Can't have a Jaguar collection without a D Type


ETCC XJ-S


If I had a wall big enough, I'd have a line up of wind tunnel models too!


;D

[TurboDieselWeasel]

Damn it! I was just getting hopes up the XJ13 might be for sale... ;D Had started to develop an accurate plan to robb a bank - but then I read that it'll re-open and I knew: I have a future. I'm not going to end up in prison for robbing a bank - or stealing an expensive car. All good! ;D

[Speedman]

As well as the race cars there were a few concept cars as well. I remember this XK180 from the motorshow in 1998


R Coupe


And some of their older cars as well


Up on the balcony the view was very impressive.


The genesis of the company, the Swallow Sidecar.


And the first four wheeler


Its due to close in a few months, get there while you can ;D

[Speedman]

Feb 18, 2012 21:58:06 GMT TurboDieselWeasel said:

Damn it! I was just getting hopes up the XJ13 might be for sale... ;D Had started to develop an accurate plan to robb a bank - but then I read that it'll re-open and I knew: I have a future. I'm not going to end up in prison for robbing a bank - or stealing an expensive car. All good! ;D

The XJ13 was in the workshop for some fettling. I saw it at Newbury Show (of all places) about 15-20yrs ago. I did offer to house some of the collection on my drive, but they declined the offer!

[crazymonkey]

XJ220 and XJR9 make it worth seeing alone

ive been lucky enough to see an xj220 in the metal (museum) but that was over 10 years ago and I need to "check I wasnt just imagining its beauty" It really is a stunning car. I remember (I was only about 9 or 10 at the time) walking through the museum and admiring all of the ferraris, porsches etc then seeing that xj on the stand and getting rather excited (rather is an understatement by the way) the ferraris suddenly became obsolete when I saw it.

I would say it was my childhood dream car but it still is now.

[Bozwell]

Feb 18, 2012 21:51:51 GMT Speedman said:

Can't have a Jaguar collection without a D Type

^^ shortnose D Type

got fond memories of driving their longnose car very briefly in Italy a few years back ;D









and a small video while at the wheel


sad to say iv'e never been to the museum. hope it's not too long to wait for the new museum

[gazzab1978]

i think we may need a rr meet here before it closes down. any takers

[richw82]

I'm in. A Browns Lane pilgrimmage is required before it disappears forever.

[dbizzle]

Really interesting post, nice one Speedman.

[Speedman]

Thanks for the comments guys. Its well worth a trip up and is free to get in ( they've got a donation box that I emptied my shrapnel into as I left) Details of the place are here looks like its not open on saturdays though. ;D

[task]

I went here for the DLOC last month, whilst the press announcements were going out. The archives are also moving, not sure where yet.

They will still be attending events with the cars, the only thing that's going to change is the museum, a sad loss for the time being.

Nice write up

[skoda_norman]

Nice pics and write up. Love them all.

Any more photos of the XJ saloon cabrio... these is a chap on here building one.

[PHUQ]

I was lucky enough to get a look around here (and the factory) on a school trip not long before the factory closure was announced. Saw three XJ220s in the space of an hour, the museum one and two parked up at the side of access roads around the factory.

I love the lines of the XK180 concept- unlike most 90's cars it doesn't look dated. Remember being taken with that on the trip. The D type is the real show stealer though.

Thanks for the photos, a nice reminder of a good day out. I'll echo the suggestion that you go while you still can!

[dbdb]

Feb 21, 2012 21:42:55 GMT skoda_norman said:

Nice pics and write up. Love them all.

Any more photos of the XJ saloon cabrio... these is a chap on here building one.

It is called the Daimler Corsica and is a well known concept car.

www.davidmarksgarages.net/daimler%20corsica%20part%201.htm


Sadly, Jaguar don't seem to place as much value on their older cars as some of the prestige German makes. The museum has been selling cars for quite a long time.

I went to a celebration of 25 years of the XJ40 last year at the Black Sheep brewery in Yorkshire. Jaguar Heritage brought along the last ever XJ40 which was very good of them. I'm sad to say it wasn't in especially good condition though - more like a second hand car than a museum exhibit. I'm sure the last Mercedes W126 is in better shape.

David

[Deleted]

Yes unfortunately we are to very good at blowing our own trumpet! Jag top brass should look around the BMW and Mercedes Benz museums to see how it should be done