Jaguar “Greatest Hits” XJ6 unveiled – restomodded 1984 Series 3 bespoke made for Iron Maiden drummer

Here’s a treat for those with a penchant for ye olde classics. Jaguar has unveiled a very special “Greatest Hits” XJ6 at the Geneva Motor Show to celebrate 50 years of the XJ moniker, and the bespoke car is commissioned for Iron Maiden drummer, Nicko McBrain.

This Series 3 XJ is not just a well-restored classic, but a thoroughly redone model that took over 3,500 laborious man hours and contains over 4,000 refinished, replaced or refurbished parts throughout. Those familiar with the XJ will immediately notice the difference – there are new front and rear bumpers that blend into the flared wheel arches, as well as LED headlights with “halo” daytime running lights, flush-fitting North American-spec side markers and bespoke chrome trim.

The Leaping Cat badge isn’t new, but actually repurposed from Nicko’s first XJ6. Apparently, that was the design element that attracted him to buy the car in 1984, and the drummer has preserved it ever since. The Greatest Hits, finished here in an exquisite Mauve paint colour, also features twin recessed fuel fillers, Series 2 XJ door handles and bullet-style door mirrors. And those oversized 18-inch wire-mesh alloys? Yum.

But it’s what on the inside that really catches our attention. The entire cabin is almost completely upholstered in bright red leather, and the seats (tastefully contrasted with black piping for an even stronger sense of nostalgia) are shaped and designed to look just like the original XJ6. The seat foams have also been modified for improved refinement.

The use of dark grey sycamore veneer and black carpets and Alcantara headlining give the car a rather dramatic play of dual tonality, and the centre dash gets an Alpine touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and a reverse camera, plumbed into a 1,100-watt sound system from a 2012 Jaguar XF. Below that are things like the backlit analogue clock, amplifier-esque machined aluminium rotary controls, as well as a proper T-shaped gearstick.

For Nicko, assuming that he’s the sole pilot of this glorious Big Cat, he gets a brand new three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with a unique “Eddie Growler” emblem, modern LED backlit instrumentation, heavily chromed foot pedals and the good old keyed ignition switch for a fully authentic XJ6 experience. A push-button starter has been grafted right next to it.

Power comes from a 4.2 litre petrol straight-six with three two-inch SU carburettors taken straight off the E-Type. According to Jaguar, this is Nicko’s favourite setup, and the engine breathes through a special quad exhaust system, complete with machined exits. We don’t know exactly what the engine outputs, but the stock DOHC motor makes 205 hp at 5,000 rpm and 313 Nm of torque at 3,000 rpm.

“This is my ultimate XJ – my third, and lovingly named ‘Johnny 3’. It has been a true labour of love between Jaguar Classic and myself,” said the owner Nicko. “I’m so excited by its completion and especially to be showing it at Geneva – it really is a Greatest Hits edition and to me it defines what the Jaguar XJ is all about. It’s a credit to the craftsmanship of the Jaguar Classic team. We couldn’t have timed it better, this being the 50th anniversary of XJ – my favourite of all Jaguars.”

The Greatest Hits XJ6 is currently being displayed at the 88th Geneva Motor Show, alongside the company’s new electric-only I-Pace. So, how many of you are envious of Nicko right now?

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