Polish interior customizer resurrects an exotic Jaguar XJ-C

Most of the time, Carlex Design specializes in luxury car interiors, but it does perform a complete restoration every now and then. This Jaguar XJ-C looks like one of its most impressive works lately.

Jaguar put together barely over 10,000 such coupes across three years of production, and the Carlex take on it comes across as rather well judged. The sharp edges get smoothened, there is less chrome overall, and the radiator grille now rocks modern vertical bars instead of the original cellular pattern. Even so, the coupe from the mid-1970s retains its essential charm and Jaguar aesthetics. Our favorite parts are the slim bumpers, the wide rims in flared arches, and the lowered suspension.

The interior likewise tries to stay period-accurate with its artificially aged leather and other details. Of course, digital gauges and modern HVAC controls dispel the illusion, as does the roll bar in the back.

While the vanilla XJ-C came powered by a V12 (or an inline-six in its most basic spec), the restomod uses a V8 of an unspecified origin. The wheels receive around 405 PS (400 hp / 298 kW), a major upgrade over the original’s maximum of 262 PS (258 hp / 192 kW).