'Limited run' of Ian Callum's Jaguar Mark 2 will be built

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4 Sep, 2014 2:50pm Tom Goodlad

Jaguar's design chief has put his personal stamp on the classic Jaguar MkII and now you'll be able to buy one for £350,000!

Ian Callum, Director of Design at Jaguar Cars, teamed up with leading restorers Classic Motor Cars Limited (CMC) to redesign and reengineer a unique Jaguar Mark 2 with breathtaking results. The response to the car has been so positive that CMC have elected to build a limited run of them with prices between £350,000 and £375,000.

In response to the news that his creation is going on sale, Ian Callum said: “I redesigned the car and CMC rebuilt it and reengineered it for my personal use. I wasn’t sure how it would be received but I have been both astounded and delighted with the response. I am pleased that a few more cars are going to be built.”

Watch the Ian Callum Jaguar Mark 2 being built

The original car was unveiled at the opening of CMC's new headquarters in Shropshire, where the new building was opened by former Formula One Grand Prix world champion, John Surtees OBE. The car itself was unveiled by Norman Dewis - Jaguar's legendary test driver.

The Mark 2 by Callum project took 18 months to complete, with Jaguar's chief designer re-imagining it for his own personal use. Along with CMC, Callum wanted to retain the integrity of the original Mark 2, while making the new car more exciting in the way it looks and performs.

Callum said of the project: "Simplification and clarity was my objective", adding modern elements to the original design, but aiming to maintain the purity and elegance of the original car. The outcome is a car with a huge number of aesthetic and technical modifications that make it a practical, reliable and enjoyable car to use every day.

Under the bonnet is a modified and uprated 4.3-litre engine sourced from the Jaguar XK and a five-speed manual gearbox. Elsewhere, there's been a comprehensive redesign and reengineer of the suspension - both front and rear - by CMC. Upgraded front brakes, adjustable dampers and new 17-inch split rim spoke wheels also feature.

On the inside, a hi-tech in-car entertainment system with a 16cm flip-out touchscreen from Clarion has been installed. There are component loudspeakers mounted in specially-designed housings and bespoke red leather seats.

Ian Callum commented on his creation, saying: “The stance of the Mark 2 is already excellent, but I wished to make it even better, with the aim of simplifying the profile of the original Jaguar Mark 2 to create a beautiful 'performance' ambiance".

What do you think of Ian Callum's redesigned Mark 2? Let us know in the comments below...