Concept cars are usually the epitome of “development without barriers”, as the majority of these vehicles aren’t governed by any safety laws. This means that the designers and engineers were given free hand to do anything.

That’s what makes them great and desirable, even though only a handful made it in private collections or even on the public roads. Jaguar’s iconic JX13 prototype, on the other hand, didn’t; and neither did the XK180.

Both these cars were made as platform-studies for future generations of Jags, even though they were built more than three decades apart, and to drive them would take quite an effort, especially considering that neither are available, easy to get or even road legal. That’s why both were recreated by classic car experts who plan to offer exact reproductions for sale.

So, if you fancy a “brand new” 1966 Jaguar prototype, powered by a prototype quad-cam 5.0-litre V12 engine, the company responsible for the project (www.xj13.eu), is ready to offer you the opportunity to drive and own one. Mind you, in this case, we’re not talking about a replica that uses a sourced V12 from another manufacturer, but a high-end recreation – down to the last detail – that’s powered by one of the original six prototype quad-cam V12 Jaguar engines, as Neville Swales, the firm’s driving force, stated:

“The project has been supported by surviving members of the original XJ13 Project Team and we have enjoyed the co-operation of Jaguar Heritage which has allowed us unfettered access to its archive. There is considerable international interest in the project and the London Classic Car Show will be the first time the general public will be able to see – and hear – the car.”

Considering the original XJ13 isn’t that original anymore after it was rebuilt following a high-speed crash and, on top of that, it’s owned by Jaguar, the idea of a recreation sounds tempting.

The story with the XK180 is a little different, mainly because the man who built it had access to Jaguar’s two existing prototypes. Eric Fintelman, the man behind the project, liked the concept so much he decided to build one form himself, but not before attempting to buy a shabby replica with a glass fiber body and XJS chassis, and realizing how shabby it was:

“It looked wrong… and I discovered the measurements were taken from a 1:18 model and scaled up,” he said.

So, after he gained access to the original machines, took pictures and exact measurements, he teamed up with Dutch company JePe specials in order to reproduce perfect aluminum-bodied XK180s. The recreations, like the original machines, are based on XK8/XKR underpinnings and feature the unique two-seat speedster body.

Prices were yet to be disclosed, but these kid of intricate builds don’t come cheap, especially as they reflect the passion and craftsmanship of dedicated teams.

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