After 14 years since its debut, the Jaguar C-X75 has finally earned its road-legal stripes, courtesy of design firm Callum. Established in 2019 by the acclaimed ex-Jaguar designer Ian Callum, the company undertook a substantial reengineering project on one of the original stunt cars featured in the James Bond movie, Spectre.
The stunt car in question, equipped with a 5.0-liter supercharged V8, was acquired by an anonymous collector who enlisted Callum's services to transform it into a road-legal beauty. The modifications required for Individual Vehicle Approval for UK road use were extensive, including the installation of E-marked glass, a quieter exhaust system with catalytic converters, and genuine wing mirrors to replace the foam dummies used in filming.
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The road-legal conversion also involved refining the panel gaps, eliminating the quick-release latches necessary for filming, and refreshing the carbon-fiber finish on the bodywork. Under the hood, subtle adjustments were made to the damping and ride height, enhancing the car's usability on regular roads.
The Jaguar C-X75 made its initial debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, boasting a twin-turbocharged 1.6-liter petrol engine coupled with two electric motors, delivering a formidable 900hp and 800Nm of torque. Despite receiving the green light for production in May 2011, the project was abandoned in December 2012. The high cost and global economic conditions at the time led Jaguar to reconsider launching a supercar with a price tag ranging from GBP 800,000 to 1 million.
However, the C-X75's journey did not end there. It rose to cinematic fame as the signature car of the villain Mr. Hinx in the 2015 film Spectre.
This road-legal transformation of the C-X75 involved meticulous changes, ensuring compliance with legal requirements while preserving the essence of the stunt car. The first road-legal C-X75 will make its public appearance at the Bicester Scramble car meet in Oxfordshire on April 21, showcasing the perfect blend of iconic design and real-world functionality.
Adam Donfrancesco, Callum's engineering director, expressed the significance of preserving stunt cars, emphasizing their role in bringing legendary scenes to life. The road-legal C-X75 is a testament to both preservation and meeting legislative standards, delighting car enthusiasts with its unique journey from the silver screen to the streets.
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