How much should you adapt a classic to your personal needs?
Originality is "in", the preferred condition is as it was when it was delivered, at least at concours and classic car events. But some owners see things differently and would like to realize their own ideas, and why not?
Nicko McBrain, the drummer of the rock band Iron Maiden, took it a little too far. He had his 1984 Jaguar XJ completely "refreshed" and the result was on display as the "Greatest Hits" XJ6 in Geneva and now in Essen at the Techno Classica.
The conversion was carried out at Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works in Coventry, and Jaguar design study boss Wave Burgess was also involved. More than 3500 man-hours were spent and 4000 parts were either refurbished, replaced or redesigned. The interior, drivetrain and suspensions in particular were extensively modified. The result is now Nicko's dream XJ, but certainly a far cry from an original car - after all, over 40 years ago there were no 45-18-inch grooves, LED headlights or stereo systems with 1100 watts of power.
Who knows, maybe this exact car will survive the next few decades and then be found in a barn in 2076. The lucky discoverer will then have to ask himself whether he will restore the car, which will certainly be very rare by then, to its original condition or revive it as a contemporary taste in its present state.
