Author Archive: kwecars

Author Archives for kwecars

Knowles-Wilkins Engineering (KWE) Ltd has reached its 15th Anniversary. From being very much new kids on the block back on 2002, we have become well known at home and abroad for our Jaguar XJS restoration and modernisation work. Owners Chris and Theresa Knowles started the company from their home and, perhaps surprisingly, took three major orders in the first two months, appeared on Top Gear twice and turned over around £100,000 before moving the business (and home) to Newbury, Berkshire in 2004. Since then we have restored over 300 cars, most with our admired full suspension/brakes/steering upgrade package.

We currently employ 10 staff and occupy three very busy premises on Greenham Business Park, and are currently recruiting. We would like to thank all of our past and present customers for their continued support and love for the Jaguar.

We have expanded our works to include XK, all XJ saloons, E Types and Aston Martin DB7s.

Jaguar Land Rover Classic electrifies the past with an inventive Jaguar E-type sports car featuring fully electric powertrain

 

 

  • Acclaimed by Enzo Ferrari as “the most beautiful car in the world”, the Jaguar E-type now combines breathtaking beauty with zero emissions for the first time
  • E-type Zero is based on 1968 Series 1.5 Jaguar E-type Roadster, and features a cutting-edge electric powertrain enabling 0-62mph in just 5.5 seconds
  • Engineered by Jaguar Land Rover Classic at company’s new ‘Classic Works’ in Warwickshire, UK
  • E-type Zero makes world debut during Jaguar Land Rover Tech Fest at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London from 8-10 September
  • E-Type Zero will sit alongside the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE at Tech Fest, which goes on sale in 2018
“E-type Zero combines the renowned E-type dynamic experience with enhanced performance through electrification. This unique combination creates a brea [...]

Yesterday, KWE had a visit from a customer who brought his beautifully restored Series 3 Jaguar E type for us to look over. It recently had a brand new late 6 litre fuel injected engine, with AJ6 Engineering power and torque enhancements installed by another company.

 

KWE V12 ETYPE

 

Unfortunately, the engine was not running smoothly at all, suffering from throttle lag among other things that were affecting its performance and efficiency. Luckily for him, AJ6 Engineering pointed him in the direction of KWE, who was able to rectify the issues with their specialist knowledge of the V12 engine.

“It has transformed the feel of the engine making it smoother and more responsive.”

 

V12 ETYPE

 

After diagnosing the problem, KWE was able to fix the throttle lag issue within a couple of hours, [...]

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Built in 1995, this is an excellent example of the last of the XJS coupés. The 4 litre AJ16 engine is sweet and reliable – and frugal by Jaguar standards.
Lister XJS Mark 3 7 litre Restoration
Built in 1985, this car has very recently been restored by KWE. Uniquely, it is based on the targa-roofed XJS Cabriolet.
Exciting things are happening at KWE Cars, and we want to share some important news with you.

KWE Cars is expanding

Loyalty from customers has fuelled continued growth, making a move to a new facility necessary.

We are pleased to inform you that our workshop is expanding into larger premises, located on Greenham Business Park, just a stones throw away from our current office/workshop. The building is 5000 sq ft and will become our main restoration workshop.

KWE have recently employed more technicians with specialist skillsets, which now means we have more restorations in progress at any one time, so having the extra floor space for manoeuvring and assembling these classic vehicles is an absolute must.

We have also acquired a third building on the estate which is currently being used for dry storage, mainly housing customer vehicles, soon to become KWE’s in-house paint and body shop.

Our existing workshop where our main office will remain is

The 1955 Jaguar D-Type was the winner of the Le Mans 24-hour race in 1955, 1956 and 1957. A limited number of cars were produced between 1954 and 1956 and one went for the multi-million pound sum on August 19 2016.

 

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A legendary Jaguar designed by Malcolm Sayers is the third most expensive car ever sold at auction – fetching an eye-watering £16,772,619 ($21,780,000).

MoneySuperMarket has published a list of 17 of the world’s most valuable classic car sales of all time, already the prestigious Jaguar D-Type sold almost a year ago has increased in value. According to the insurance comparison website it is now estimated to be worth £16,835,433, meaning its value has risen by £62,814 in less than 12 months.

A Segment on this Magnificent D-Type’s History

A camera is strapped to the back of a D-Type and a microphone fitted to Mike Hawthorn so he can

6 litre Convertible XJS

We received this XJS just under a year ago, now after hundreds of man hours, this fine looking 6 litre convertible XJS has been completely restored. Currently the car is in safe transit back to our eager client in New York.

We were all very excited about this unique project, the client wanted the car restored to a very high specification, keeping to the original, charismatic styling.

 

6 litre Convertible XJSAlmost every part has been upgraded and restored including but not limited to a Full respray in the original colour, Brooklands green. Topped with a brand new convertible hood in beige mohair with beige lining. The 5 spoke wheels have been refurbished in polished alloy with golden in fills and an emerald green growler centre cap. The elegant exterior is matched by the luxurious camel coloured Connolly

Classic Car Investment

Following the UK general election the result of who will be running the country was quite literally hanging in the balance. We look at how this could benefit international classic car buyers looking to get their hands on a beautifully restored Jaguar XJS.

The one thing we can see for sure is the effect that the election has had on the exchange market.  Before the election the pound was slowly rising following Brexit and the flash crash in October 2016, which saw a higher demand for British classic cars from international buyers.

Now the pound has dropped further again making British classic cars over 10% more affordable to U.S. and European buyers than this time last year.

 

Why Jaguar XJS?

The XJS may not initially have been the most popular Jaguar, due to some questionable build quality and the hard-lined style that took some time

ABOUT KWE

KWE has become the top specialist in rebuilding, upgrading and repairing Jaguar XJ-based cars including the XJS, DB7 and Series 1/2/3 XJ saloons. We also work with the Jaguar E type, Mark 2, XK8, X300, X308. We are within easy reach of London, the M3, M4 and M40 motorways. We are an engineering-based company where quality is paramount and customer support comes naturally.

OWNER REVIEWS

  • The suspension changes and power enhancement package have completely transformed this car.The difference between the standard set up and your upgrade is quite simply astonishing.Dr C.S., Swindon, XJS Upgrade
  • I think you have sprinkled magic dust and made a good car truly great. Jerry will be my daily driver through the summer and complete at least 400 miles a week. I’ll keep you posted…Mr A.T., Oxon, XJS Upgrade
  • I am absolutely thrilled with the new gearbox and transmission. The inside of the car is a real joy too and lovely to live with. I was also pleasantly surprised at the number of appreciative looks, waves, hoots, and comments during the journey eg is that really an A reg?… Well done.Mr M.D., Andorra, XJ6 Upgrade
  • I’m delighted that you have made such a good start already and many thanks for the photos. It really shows the benefit of your approach of prospectively replacing the things that are likely to fail and about a non-KWE car:Mr J.H., Birmingham, KWE K12
  • I am absolutely thrilled & delighted (to say the least) to be re-united with Grace after these months of waiting and keen anticipation. The car drives beautifully and I feel life has gained an extra quality…Mr P.W., Berkshire, XJS Upgrade
  • I will have to make a journey to the hospital today to have this ridiculous grin surgically removed from my face. Dealing with you and the rest of the KWE Team has been a pleasure. Many thanks.Mr D.J.W., Lanarkshire, KWE Suspension/Brakes/Steering
  • Dear Chris, Please accept and pass on my thanks to you and your team for the work you have undertaken on my Facelift XJS. \\\'The car has been transformed and is a pleasure to drive, this wouldn\\\'t have happened without your care and attention to detailMr J.F The Royal Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
  • Thank you for doing my car. The car behaved very well on a good run to Maidenhead and back, and after all the work done I can say that I now have much more confidence in it. I was delighted to find your company.NR, Berkshire
  • ...but I wanted to say a very big thank you for the work the KWE has done on the car. I was always absolutely certain that it was in the best of hands and the communication from the KWE team has always been excellent. I was really pleased with all the work that KWE did on the car and I do hope our paths cross again in the future. AC, West Sussex

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