The European Collection

 

Today’s enthusiastic drivers value reliability and comfort as well as high performance and engineering sophistication in their cars. The challenge of bringing together the beauty, heritage and all-round coolness of a classic car with modern components, engineering and materials has lead us to develop our European programme – reinterpretations of iconic classics.  We are now working on a range of highly modified Porsche 356, Porsche 911 and Jaguar XK projects. All embody our core philosophy:

The Design. The Detail. The Drive.

The European RS

An Icon Redefined

Recognising that the Porsche 911 has always been one of the most engaging sports cars ever made, the aim was to enhance its character to bring it in line with the expectations of a modern performance car owner. To achieve this, every part of the chassis was comprehensively assessed and updated to deliver the experience envisioned at the start, and to ensure that drivers can fully exploit the car’s performance.

Using suspension components including bespoke front wishbones based on the modern-day GT3, the standard passive set up includes JRZ Motorsport four-way adjustable coilovers with Eibach springs, and hollow, adjustable anti-roll bar to deliver markedly improved turn-in and precision. Agility and responsiveness are taken to the next level thanks to the Quaife steering rack, which – at just 2.5 turns lock-to-lock – is quicker than the 3.1-turns original.

Perfect in Every Detail

The updated interior is at once instantly familiar, yet thoughtfully updated to bespoke modernity. Hand-crafted, updated with new technology and outfitted with the finest materials, such as Connolly leather and Alcantara, as well as enhanced sound deadening for greater refinement – this is a car designed to be comfortable enough for everyday use.

One-piece carbon fibre Recaro seats, Momo Prototipo Black Edition steering wheel and repositioned gear lever for the G50 6-speed manual transmission, are subtle updates to the original, while the instruments retain their classic look but are re-engineered to suit the all-new electrical system and are set in a dashboard offered in a range of expertly-crafted finishes.

THE DESIGNER'S VISION

Hal Walter, Designer of the European RS:More than half a century after its launch the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 is still regarded by many as the ultimate driver’s car. It was used to homologate the ’73 Carrera RSR 2.8, which dominated in endurance racing in its debut year. As the most highly evolved 911 in the original style, and with a naturally aspirated race motor, I find the 2.8 the most charismatic 911. It is also the most exciting I have driven. It is the primary inspiration for this design.

“However being a race car, the motor is too highly strung for the road and refined detailing was not a priority. The beauty of a restomod is being able to combine classic rawness with refinement by keeping the light weight and involvement and adding drivability, elegance and improved aerodynamics. I chose my 997 GT3 RS 4.0 as the benchmark and together with Thornley Kelham worked to match its captivating performance, precision and progressive handling while ensuring the European RS still fizzes with old school character.”

The European GT

TIMELESSNESS, REDEFINED

The XK120 was Jaguar’s first sports car, a seminal model of timeless beauty that began the greatest era in the marque’s history. The Jaguar XK European GT is our reinterpretation of this iconic machine, meticulously handcrafted in strictly limited numbers to a standard befitting the world’s most prestigious concours events.

The breathtaking design and luxurious interior are perfectly matched to an uprated Jaguar engine and chassis in our singular pursuit of excellence, perfected

MUSCULAR & ASSERTIVE

Modifying or enhancing any iconic & design should always be approached with the utmost care. One must be respectful of what was originally created in what was a very different time using very different methods. The Jaguar XK European GT combines the same time-honoured craftsmanship that first brought the XK120 to life with cutting-edge design tools and technologies to reimagine and redefine the elements that made it so breathtakingly beautiful. It remains instantly recognisable as a Jaguar, but more muscular and more assertive – something that could have emerged from Browns Lane in the late 1950s as a ‘skunkworks’ project.

The European SL

RECLAIMING EUROPEAN

In the 1950s, Max Hoffman almost single-handedly turned the American market onto the beautiful agile sports cars of Europe, including Porsche, BMW and Alfa Romeo. The exotic allure of cars from this part of the world was so enticing that Porsche even sold a number of 356s to the American market badged as ‘European’.

RELENTLESS DEVELOPMENT

At Thornley Kelham we have looked back – reviewing the original design of the 356 chassis, developed around 1950, as the basis of our European 356 project. But we have done so looking forwards.  Our thorough examination of chassis strength and structure, of front and rear suspension systems, and of the steering and braking systems has led to a reengineering programme which can be individually tailored to match the purpose of each car.

THE GENESIS OF EUROPEAN

Lancia Aurelia B20GT 'Outlaw'

This limited edition of nine bespoke Lancia Aurelia B20GT re-imaginations was the genesis of the whole European programme. Inspired by the final lowered roof version of the Bracco Aurelia that competed so successfully in 1951, each was built to owners’ bespoke specification. With all nine examples now sold out , this limited series has attracted the discerning eye of a number of the world’s top collectors and been praised in the media for its aesthetics, aerodynamic design and extremely high quality finish.

THE FINAL THREE OUTLAWS

As we evolved from Outlaw to European, the final three Aurelia’s were offered in European CSL configuration, featuring a 3.0 litre V6, modern transaxle, LSD and uprated suspension as well as a handcrafted all-aluminium body. It is the ultimate expression of the Thornley Kelham Aurelia Outlaw programme.