Colin Spreckley

The vast majority of people would be happy with a bog standard XKR, for me however a standard anything does not fit well with my individual approach to life.

After 40 years man and boy as a conservative City Insurance Executive I thought it time to emerge from my shell and enjoy the thrill of a real driving experience. After much research I decided I liked the look of the Aston-Martin and the realiability of the new breed of Jaguars. The result was that my new heavily doctored car has the speed combined with a hint of agression, a bit like Martin Johnson meets a Saville Row suit.

The idea for the car was conceived when I first met Chas Whitaker of Racing Green Cars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It was at that event that I realised I could specify a car that would be individual and unique to me. I considered that it was possible to buy an expensive car and it would be exclusive because very few could afford it. However the problem with that approach was that such cars tend to be ostentatious or just not practical to drive everyday. My solution was to take the top-of-the-range Jaguar and turn it into a unique one-off vehicle. To this day people from every walk of life stop and chat and want to know about the car, commenting on its unique looks and on the fine craftsmanship.

The car was delivered new from the factory and whisked away to Chas Whitaker’s rehab centre for a six week transformation. The front spoiler, side sill panels, rear valence, bootlid spoiler, alloy wheels and aluminium interior trim are straight from Germany while the bespoke leather trim and traditional Jaguar chrome knock off wheel spinners and the speedshift gear selector mechanism are from Paramount Performance’s own parts programme. The choice of intereior trim was a reflection the exterior colour and installed to perfection by the Uxbridge specialists “Hide and Fidelity”. The seats were rebuilt to fit my ample yet solid girth and finished in Silver pearl leather with the door panels, seat inserts, transmission tunnel and dashtop all finished in deep blue Alcantara. The dashtop Alcantara also cuts out the reflections in the windscreen. The carpets are thick Wilton with the finishing touch of the seat belt webbing recreated to match the dark blue material.

For me the best part of the conversion is the two super sport big bore stainless steel exhausts. They change the standard factory pipes that sound like an angry hair dryer into a controlled roar that reflects the powerful V8 engine.

By the way, the few people that I have allowed to drive it have commented that it handles quite well too.

Editor’s Note:
Having seen Colin’s car on a number of occasions now I can certainly vouch for its uniqueness and can quite categorically say that this is one awesome car. To hear its roar when started up is simply awe inspiring.