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SMITHS Instruments Exhibiting at XK70 Jaguar Festival

On the weekend of the 9th and 10th June 2018, the Jaguar XK Club will celebrate 70 years of the XK engine with the XK70 Jaguar Festival.  The event takes place at Shelsley Walsh, which is the oldest motorsport venue in the world.  In recognition of the historic link with Jaguar, a wide range of classic SMITHS instruments will be on show at the festival on the Caerbont Automotive Instruments (CAI) stand A1.

The Jaguar XK club was established in 1997 to celebrate the XK 120, 140 and 150, as well as their derivatives, the C-Types and D-Types.  At the 2018 event, the organisers are aiming to have a record-breaking 700 XKs on display.  On the Saturday, there will also be timed runs on the historic Shelsley Walsh hill climb, a 1000 yard track with a 1 in 6 gradient.  Additionally, on the Saturday night there is an XK70 1948 party to celebrate 70 years of the iconic Jaguar.

The Jaguar XK series was launched at the 1948 London Motor Show.  The XK120 replaced the SS100 that has ceased production in 1940.  In 1954 the XK120 was replaced with the XK140, an upgraded model with increased interior space, improved brakes, rack and pinion steering, increased suspension travel, and telescopic shock absorbers instead of the older lever arm design.  The new model also had more substantial bumpers and flashing turn signals above the front bumper.

The XK140 lasted only 3 years before it was replaced by the XK150.  The XK150 was a radical revision on the XK140, with a one-piece windscreen, longer bonnet, and smoother wing line.  The final XK150 left the Jaguar factory in 1961 when it was replaced with the hugely popular Jaguar E-Type.

In a blog posted on the XK70 event website, they list 5 reasons to celebrate the 70th birthday of the XK:

  1. The XK symbolised national pride;
  2. The XK made accountants look like film stars;
  3. The XK gave speed addicts a big fix;
  4. The XK won competitions it wasn't meant to;
  5. The XK's magical powers lasted for 38 years;

The XK70 will be a fantastic event for anyone with an interest in classic cars such as those built by Jaguar.

CAI produce a wide range of SMITHS gauges for classic Jaguar cars and are looking forward to talking with enthusiasts about their classic cars and helping with any technical questions about their gauges. 

For further information please visit us on stand A1 at the XK70 Jaguar Festival or alternatively contact us on:

Via the website

Email:  [email protected]

Phone:  +44 (0) 1639 732200

You can also follow us on social media including Facebook (@caigauge) and Twitter (@caigauge) for regular news and technical features.

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Tags: JaguarXK120XK140XK150XK70XK70 Jaguar Festival