#DesignReview #Jaguar #shootingbrake
Lynx Eventer

The automotive world is focusing on a new body type. It is sleek, sporty and elegant: the shooting brake is back. Recent takes are the 2017 Kia Proceed Concept and the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake.

The luxury grand tourer XJ-S was produced by Jaguar from 1975 to 1996. It replaced the legendary E-Type (XK-E in the States) using the XJ floorplan. Jaguar's timing was not ideal: the car was launched in the fuel crisis, so the 5.3-litre V12 grand tourer couldn’t count on many takers. The styling was also criticized, arguably because the E-type was an irreplaceable car.

The XJ-S had several design and engineering updates, including the addition of chrome strips on the bumpers. The most noticeable change were the completely newly shaped, blackout taillights. In May 1991 its second and largest overhaul took place and the car was renamed XJS. The rear side windows appeared enlarged, but were placed over the existing window aperture – effectively only changing the outside graphic. Large shield bumpers took the car into the 1990’s - fortunately the buttresses stayed. According to Jaguar’s then Chief Designer Geoff Lawson they were part of the XJS’s character.

A number of XJS's were modified by coachbuilder Lynx to create the elegant Eventer, a three-door shooting brake. Lynx Engineering started in 1973, building high-end replicas of the Jaguar C- and D-Type just outside of Sussex, England. The company decided to branch out into coachbuilding based upon modern cars.

A customer bringing an XJ6 to be converted into a convertible took Lynx into the drop top conversions market. The Jaguar XJ-S, in the 1975 only available as coupe, was a perfect base for four-seater convertible conversions. Unfortunately Jaguar put an end to the successful XJ-S converting business. Even though Jaguar's convertible XJ-S, which eventually came out in the late 80’s, sat just two people.

After Lynx was stopped by Jaguar making convertible conversions by, the company decided to transform Jaguar’s XJ-S into a shooting brake instead - one of the most British body types imaginable. The first Eventer was unveiled in August 1982 at Brown’s Lane during the Jaguar factory open days. Sir John Egan, Chief Executive and chairman of Jaguar Cars from 1980 to 1990, looked at it with disregard but the press praised both design and conversion quality of the Lynx. The XJ-S does look very natural in its bespoke Eventer suit.

Each shooting brake conversion took Lynx 14 weeks. They cut off most of the bodywork, moved the fuel tank and created a flat floor. They also stiffened-up the suspension, compensating for a changed center of gravity. Bespoke side windows were made specifically for the Eventer. The window of the rear hatch was not as costly and complex: it was simply borrowed from the Citroen GSA. Every Lynx Eventer features a sumptuous leather interior and allows for a comfortable 2+2 seating arrangement, or a very spacious 6 feet long load area - ideal for long road trips.

For a coach built vehicle the total number of 67 examples sold was a great achievement. Lynx made 52 pre-facelift and 15 post-facelift Eventer’s, 18 LHD and 49 RHD conversions. The car on the Homage Sketch is a Celebration model featuring diamond turned wheels. It was one of the very last XJS’s, and thus Eventer’s, to be made - commemorating the 60th birthday of Jaguar.


Discover Niels van Roij Design:

Subscribe: [ Ссылка ]=|
Website: [ Ссылка ]

Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
LinkedIn: [ Ссылка ]

свернуть