Jaguar Land Rover Classic officially opened its new headquarters in the heart of the British Midlands on June 14, 2017. With an area of 14,000 square meters, "Classic Works" is the world's largest center for the sale, manufacture and restoration of classic Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles. It also offers space for over 500 vehicles from the Jaguar Land Rover Classic collection.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Jaguar Land Rover CEO Dr. Ralf Speth and John Edwards, Managing Director Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations. Classic Works is based in Coventry, in the heart of the British Midlands, the historic center of the British motor industry. From today, owners and enthusiasts of classic Jaguar and Land Rover models will have their number one port of call here. Jaguar Land Rover CEO Dr. Ralf Speth and Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations Managing Director John Edwards were the prominent guests at today's inauguration ceremony of the world's largest center for the sale, manufacture and restoration of classic Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.
The opening of Classic Works is a special milestone for Jaguar Land Rover's fast-growing Classic division, which was founded in March 2016. In the completely newly constructed buildings, Jaguar Land Rover Classic brings together all sales, service and restoration activities of both brands under one roof.
Plenty of space for a bright future
Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations Managing Director John Edwards said: "Classic Works is of paramount importance to Jaguar Land Rover. It is far more than just a new building - it is the heart and soul of Jaguar Land Rover Classic and its global customer base. Here we now have the fantastic opportunity to offer the full range of services to owners and enthusiasts of vehicles from both brands."
Covering 14,000 square meters, Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works offers 54 work bays for the maintenance and restoration of Jaguar and Land Rover models in addition to spacious showrooms. These are first dismantled into their individual parts for restoration and then finally assembled with the help of parts, some of which are newly manufactured or reconditioned.
There are separate areas for the reborn restoration programs with Land Rover Series I, Range Rover Classic and Jaguar E-Type, as well as for the faithful rebuilds of the Jaguar XKSS. There is also a separate engine department.
Classic Works is also home to Jaguar Land Rover's classic collection of over 500 vehicles. It is a living cross-section of British motoring history and an invaluable reference for restorations. Jaguar Land Rover Classic makes vehicles from its collection available on loan to car clubs and museums or uses them for appearances in its own name at major classic events.
Investing in the past and the future
To support its thriving classic business, Jaguar Land Rover has invested in traditional craftsmanship techniques at its Coventry site. Since the Classic Works division was founded, the number of employees has increased by 100 percent. Classic Works currently employs 80 specialists, many with decades of experience in the very vehicles that are now the focus of the new headquarters. By the end of 2017, the number of these highly qualified specialists will increase to over 120.
The close links with the Jaguar Land Rover organization give the Classic department access to the latest manufacturing methods, including 3D scanning and computer-aided design (CAD). This enables parts such as the body panels for the Jaguar E-Type and Range Rover Classic to be re-produced using original tooling, saving on manufacturing costs.
Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director Tim Hannig said: "Our people, their knowledge and skills are at the heart of Jaguar Land Rover Classic. There are around 1.5 million classic Jaguars and Land Rovers in the world and we place a great deal of value and investment in traditional manufacturing and restoration skills to give cars with a glorious past an equally glorious future."
