Iron Maiden Nicko McBrain's classic Jaguar XJ6 is on display at 2018 Geneva Motor Show
Nicko McBrain isn’t just famous for being the drummer of the already legendary British heavy metal band Iron Maiden as he is also known for his utter love of Jaguar cars. At the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, Jaguar Classic is presenting a McBrain-commissioned custom-built 1984 Jaguar XJ6dubbed as the ‘Greatest Hits.’
The unveiling of the Greatest Hits XJ6 practically kicked off the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Jaguar XJ this year. The XJ is now 50 years old, and the bespoke Jaguar Classic commission is a great example of how this full-size luxury saloon has been able to stand the test of time. McBrain now considers the Greatest Hits as his ultimate dream XJ.
Expert engineers and skilled craftsmen at Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works spent over 3,500 man hours to recreate the 1984 XJ6 into the Greatest Hits XJ6. The project also involved more than 4000 replaced, redesigned or refinished parts. Its exterior, interior, drivetrain and suspension have been dramatically modified to become a car worthy of kicking off the XJ’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Among the replaced, redesigned or refinished parts of the Greatest Hits XJ6 are distinct front and rear bumpers, modified fenders with bespoke chrome brightwork as well as flush-fit US side markers. It also features distinct sills and modified rear door pressings as well as a re-trimmed interior with modified seat foams.
Wrapped in a Mauve finish, the Greatest Hits XJ6 is fitted with uprated front and rear suspension with adjustable rear dampers as well as modern door sealing for reduced wind noise and extra sound deadening. The Greatest Hits XJ6 rides on bespoke 18-inch wire wheels shod with 235/45 R18 Pirelli P Zero tires.
Some parts of the 1984 XJ6 have been converted to their more famous counterparts like the Series 2 XJ door handles and bullet wing mirrors as well as LED headlights with ‘Halo’ daytime running light signature. Likewise converted are recessed twin fuel fillers.
The Greatest Hits XJ6 comes installed with integrated touch screen that allows McBrain to control or use the phone, satnav, rear view camera and in-car entertainment. In addition, the Greatest Hits XJ6 is also installed with a customized audio system with USB connectivity and an in-dash starter button. The recreation now features uprated air-conditioning remote central locking. Its front and rear wheel arches are now flared and re-profiled.
The Greatest Hits XJ6 comes fitted with a number of reconditioned parts from McBrain’s original XJ6. These include the 4.2-liter in-line six-cylinder engine with three two-inch SU carburetors from the E-type as well as a specially-designed exhaust system with machined quad-exhaust tail pipes. The Greatest Hits XJ6 also features the original XJ6’s iconic Jaguar leaper bonnet mascot and its original ignition keys.
Inside, the Greatest Hits XJ6 features leather seats hand trimmed in Pimento Red with black piping as well as embossed head rests and Alcantara headlining. The Greatest Hits XJ6 features black hand-crafted carpet, with dashboard employing Dark Grey stained Sycamore veneers. The dashboard also comes with machined aluminum rotary controls on the dashboard as well as pedals finished in chrome and black. In addition, the bespoke three-spoke sports steering wheel dons McBrain’s ‘Eddie Growler’ mascot.
PRESS RELEASE
JAGUAR CREATES UNIQUE ‘GREATEST HITS’ XJ FOR IRON MAIDEN DRUMMER NICKO MCBRAIN
Today at the Geneva Motor Show Jaguar Classic is proud to present Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain’s custom-built ‘Greatest Hits’ Jaguar XJ6, kicking-off Jaguar’s XJ 50th anniversary celebrations in 2018.
Jaguar’s 50 years of XJ celebrations begin with bespoke Jaguar Classic commission for Iron Maiden drummer and life-long Jaguar enthusiast ‘Nicko’
Nicko’s classic 1984 XJ6 Series 3 features a host of custom touches inspired by all five decades of Jaguar XJ production, and McBrain’s heavy metal heritage
‘Greatest Hits’ XJ is a collaboration between Nicko, the expert engineers and craftsmen at Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works and Jaguar Design studio director Wayne Burgess
Bespoke XJ unveiled at Geneva International Motor Show on 6 March during the Jaguar Land Rover press conference
Today at the Geneva Motor Show Jaguar Classic is proud to present Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain’s custom-built ‘Greatest Hits’ Jaguar XJ6, kicking-off Jaguar’s XJ 50th anniversary celebrations in 2018.
Nicko’s classic 1984 XJ6 Series 3 features a host of custom touches inspired by all five decades of Jaguar XJ production, and McBrain’s heavy metal heritage
‘Greatest Hits’ XJ is a collaboration between Nicko, the expert engineers and craftsmen at Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works and Jaguar Design studio director Wayne Burgess
Bespoke XJ unveiled at Geneva International Motor Show on 6 March during the Jaguar Land Rover press conference
Today at the Geneva Motor Show Jaguar Classic is proud to present Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain’s custom-built ‘Greatest Hits’ Jaguar XJ6, kicking-off Jaguar’s XJ 50th anniversary celebrations in 2018.
The bespoke commission is a collaboration between Nicko, the expert engineers and craftsmen at Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works in Coventry, and Jaguar Design studio director Wayne Burgess. The project involved more than 3500 man hours of work, with more than 4000 parts refinished, replaced or redesigned. Unlike any 1984 XJ6 before, it incorporates substantial modifications to the exterior, interior, drivetrain and suspension, resulting in Nicko’s dream XJ.
Key features include:
Unique front and rear bumpers – seamlessly blended in to the modified fenders with bespoke chrome brightwork and flush-fit US side markers
Flared and re-profiled front and rear wheel arches accommodating bespoke 18-inch wire wheels fitted with 235/45 R18 Pirelli P Zero tyres
Unique sills and modified rear door pressings
Uprated front and rear suspension with adjustable rear dampers
Unique Mauve paint finish
Conversion to elegant Series 2 XJ door handles and bullet wing mirrors
Conversion to LED headlights with ‘Halo’ daytime running light signature
Conversion to recessed twin fuel fillers
Modern door sealing for reduced wind noise, and additional sound deadening
Integrated touch screen operating satnav, phone, rear view camera and in-car entertainment
Re-trimmed interior with modified seat foams improving refinement
Bespoke audio system with USB connectivity, featuring guitar amplifier-inspired control knobs machined from aluminium
In-dash starter button
Uprated air-conditioning
Remote central locking
Inside, classic Jaguar style meets modern day convenience. The leather seats are hand trimmed in Pimento Red with black piping and embossed head rests, while a black hand-crafted carpet and Alcantara headlining finishes off the trim. The dashboard features Dark Grey stained Sycamore veneers – the preferred material for Nicko’s favourite snare drums.
Flared and re-profiled front and rear wheel arches accommodating bespoke 18-inch wire wheels fitted with 235/45 R18 Pirelli P Zero tyres
Unique sills and modified rear door pressings
Uprated front and rear suspension with adjustable rear dampers
Unique Mauve paint finish
Conversion to elegant Series 2 XJ door handles and bullet wing mirrors
Conversion to LED headlights with ‘Halo’ daytime running light signature
Conversion to recessed twin fuel fillers
Modern door sealing for reduced wind noise, and additional sound deadening
Integrated touch screen operating satnav, phone, rear view camera and in-car entertainment
Re-trimmed interior with modified seat foams improving refinement
Bespoke audio system with USB connectivity, featuring guitar amplifier-inspired control knobs machined from aluminium
In-dash starter button
Uprated air-conditioning
Remote central locking
Inside, classic Jaguar style meets modern day convenience. The leather seats are hand trimmed in Pimento Red with black piping and embossed head rests, while a black hand-crafted carpet and Alcantara headlining finishes off the trim. The dashboard features Dark Grey stained Sycamore veneers – the preferred material for Nicko’s favourite snare drums.
Further nods to the owner’s art include machined aluminium rotary controls on the dashboard – inspired by the control knobs of the guitar amplifiers created by Nicko’s great friend Jim Marshall, and drum kit inspired pedals finished in chrome and black. The custom three-spoke sports steering wheel features Nicko’s unique mascot – the ‘Eddie Growler’, first seen on his specially commissioned 2013 Jaguar XKR-S.
Bespoke soft down lighting illuminates the revised dashboard, in which a state-of-the-art Alpine touch screen controls the 1100W sound system, powering speakers from Nicko’s preferred Jaguar audio installation, the 12MY Jaguar XF.
Incorporating a number of reconditioned parts from McBrain’s original XJ6, the 4.2-litre in-line six-cylinder engine features three 2-inch SU carburettors from the E-type – Nicko’s favourite set up. Machined quad-exhaust tail pipes finish-off a specially-designed exhaust system.
Preserved components from Nicko’s first XJ6, which spent many years stood in the grounds of the home of Iron Maiden bass guitarist Steve Harris, following Nicko’s move to America, are present elsewhere in the build too: from the iconic Jaguar leaper bonnet mascot, which first attracted Nicko to buy the car, to the original ignition keys from 1984.
Iron Maiden Nicko McBrain's classic Jaguar XJ6 is on display at 2018 Geneva Motor Show
Reviewed by Nemanja
on
March 12, 2018
Rating:
Reviewed by Nemanja
on
March 12, 2018
Rating:
