Jaguar Broadspeed XJC - the ultimate race car replica?

When the Jaguar Broadspeed XJC was released in the 1970's, as teenagers in the UK we were enthralled with absolutely everything about it.

It was the best looking race car we'd ever seen.

It was fast, noisy and a proper beast.

Although it set blistering times, unfortunately it was a glorious failure in that it couldn't finish races.

But it's still indelibly etched on the brains of anyone who was a car lover at the time.

Robin has created a terrific homage to the original with a big Chrysler V8 LS3 crate engine.

It's a cousin of the John Steed XJC replica that I'm creating.

We talk through his 4 year project, go through the in's and out's of the build and take it for a 'leisurely' drive to see what it's like on the road.

00:00 Introduction
04:23 The start of the project
04:50 The shell
07:23 Roof
07:54 Body kit and wheels
08:11 Selecting the engine, gearbox, clutch, thrust bearing, and prop shaft
11:48 Costs
12:38 Buy the fibreglass kit Fibresports
13:00 Wheels and tyres - Vintage tyres
13:39 Handling
15:41 What do you use it for?
16:52 Advice for anyone?
17:39 How long did it take?
18:09 Anything you'd do differently?
18:36 Stickers
19:19 Tour of the car - the engine
23:08 Tour of the car - the boot
25:52 Leisurely drive
29:46 The ultimate race car replica?

[jeff.]

The look on Your face says it all, what an amazing car.👌

[davidbarnsley]

It might have been 3 years of work and all that money
And look at all the smiles per mile you now get
Sure the v12 might have sounded a bit better but nothing beats 6.3 litres of small block Chevrolet power
Robin has done a great job, I would pay for a ride 👍👍🇦🇺

[EDMG]

Saw this at Gasoline Juice at Weedon Barracks in Northampton during the summer. What a knock out!!!

[richardsorensen]

Great car guys. I see it is on Continentals. I’m looking for a similar size for a period race car. The wheels are 16-inch diameter, 12-inches in width & with tyre diameter of 21-13 inches. What size are yours?

[johnbriggs]

Yes, the number "8" is definitely upside-down.

[JACB]

If you are still trying to make the right choice when it comes to wheels & tyres, are you familiar with the “High Performance Academy’s” Online Wheel & Tyre Fitment Course? They claim that their course will save you time and money, ie don’t buy a set of wheels that won’t fit your car or result in serious performance compromises. They cover Fitment, PCD, Offset, Centre bore, Scrub radius, how to properly check for clearance and select the correct size wheels & tyres. I have no affiliation with HPA .. For information only. Cheers.

[stevepearce]

I saw it coming! Yet another fine car ruined by putting a Chevrolet (not Chrysler) LS engine in it. Surely a supercharged Jaguar V8 would have been a better choice as a least it's from the same manufacturer.

[markscully]

yeah but there must be millions of jag engines in scrap yards!!!

[ianalderton]

playing with women and racing motorbikes or racing women and playing with motorbikes, both ok with me : : : : : ; ))