KWE’s year in review: XJS proves its worth

As another great year draws to a close, we’ve taken a look back at some of our highlights over the last 12-months…

The XJS turns 40

It’s been a big year for the Jaguar XJS, as it celebrated its 40^th birthday in September. To commemorate this landmark, we held an event at our Newbury-based workshop. We were delighted to welcome customers old and new who joined in the birthday celebrations, many bringing along their prized XJS cars.

Classic car and Jaguar enthusiasts from across the country were treated to a motoring spectacle, as Greenham Business Park was awash with an array of stunning Jaguar XJS models. You may have also read about the event in the Newbury Weekly News.

View the full Facebook album here.

Expanding team and premises

As more and more customers recognise the classic Jaguar XJS as a good investment opportunity, we are pleased to report that business is booming here at KWE. To meet growing demand, we’ve expanded our operations on Greenham Business Park and taken on three new recruits. In January we welcomed Andy Banning and in March both Phil Alexander and Bishwa Shah joined the KWE family.

The KWE Cars team at our event in September

Earlier this year, we also acquired an additional plot of land next to the existing premises. The new plot has been designed so that we can park customer cars while restoration work is waiting to be carried out or is in progress – ensuring maximum workshop efficiency.

Highlight projects

We’ve worked on many fantastic cars this year, doing what we love the most – restoring classic cars back to ‘better than new’ quality. Particular highlights from the 60+ projects we’ve completed, include:

XJ12 Series 3 Saloon –

Prior to its full-scale makeover, this classic had been sitting in the sidelines at KWE for several years, awaiting a client to commission its restoration.

Finished ‘better-than-new’ XJ12

The body has been completely stripped and repainted in gloss black, with ‘biscuit’ Connolly hide throughout, full interior makeover, and new KWE suspension, making this classic a real head-turner.

V12 XJS Coupé –

The client spotted Theresa’s car and said he wanted one just like it, but with a V12 engine. We repainted the coupé in Jaguar Meteor Red, rebuilt the engine, fitted new KWE suspension, brakes and steering, with new interior trim throughout.

V12 Jaguar XJS in Meteor Red

V12 convertible with room for Pops –

The car we found was actually Solent blue (a mid-metallic blue). It was stripped back and repainted in Jaguar Westminster blue (a gorgeous dark navy). The engine was removed for an intensive KWE overhaul, we also gave the car new suspension, brakes and a steering renewal and upgrade. The interior has been fully refurbished. It now boasts brand new Connolly hide, European walnut woods and dark blue carpet.

Pops the Labrador loves his customised XJS!

The client had one more special request – he likes to take his dog out with him when he drives his car, so needed somewhere flat in the back for him to sit. We took out the convertible luggage box in the back of the cabin and replaced it with a flat floor. Thankfully we succeeded and now Pops sits in full wool-trimmed luxury.

XJS proves its worth

It’s been a brilliant year for the classic car market, as it is now worth more than £6bn in the UK, employing thousands across the country as demand increases. This growing market falls in line with the fact that more motorists are turning to classic cars as their vehicle of choice.

The Knight Frank Luxury Investment index recently noted that classic cars have beaten everything from art, watches, gold and coins over the past one, five, and 10 years.

The Jaguar XJS is no exception, as it continues to prove its investment potential as a modern classic. Earlier this year, we compiled a table, using data from Classic Car Buyer, illustrating more clearly the rising values of all XJS models, no matter what the condition (see below).

On the back of this news, managing director, Chris Knowles wrote an article for Investment Week looking at which classic cars to invest in.

The XJS continues to be featured in the press, with many motoring journalists shortlisting the XJS as one of the top classic cars to invest in right now.

Merry Christmas!

To all our customers old and new – Merry Christmas and a happy New Year from everyone at KWE cars. We look forward to working together in 2016.

If you would like to find out more about our services, please call 01635 30030.