In 1959, John Dolce flipped his Jaguar XK150S while testing its high speed capability at the Bonneville salt flats. He reportedly survived the crash in better shape than the car, which had only covered 553 miles at the time. Fast forward half a century, three changes of owners and a recently completed major restoration effort and you have a virtually new Jaguar XK150S with matching numbers and only 574 original miles.

Current owners Ray Miles and Mike Hill hope to sell this amazing time machine for “upwards of £280,000″.  See the full story at the United Arab Republic’s The National.

Jaguar have announced a special edition of the XKR to celebrate their 75th birthday, to be introduced at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 2, 3 and 4, 2010. This limited edition (75 cars only) model will “deliver a combination of enhanced performance, superb chassis and steering control and grip levels to inspire the driving enthusiast to explore the true potential of the XKR’s capabilities.”

Press Release below the break …

JAGUAR XKR 75 MAKES DEBUT AT GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED

• XKR 75 to celebrate Jaguar’s 75th anniversary
• Only 75 will be produced making it one of the most exclusive and exciting XKRs
• Higher performance than standard XKR – 0-60 seconds time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 174mph
• Power and torque increased to 530PS and 655Nm respectively
• Upgraded handling and suspension package for increased precision and agility
• Sports exhaust with improved acoustics to match performance

An exclusive XKR – the XKR 75 – will make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 2.

Jaguar Land Rover’s new CEO, Dr Ralf Speth, initiated the challenge to the Jaguar engineering team to construct an XKR to celebrate Jaguar’s 75th anniversary, which would deliver a combination of enhanced performance, superb chassis and steering control and grip levels to inspire the driving enthusiast to explore the true potential of the XKR’s capabilities.

Mike O’Driscoll, managing director, Jaguar Cars, said: “The XKR 75 will provide owners with exclusivity, excitement and a hint of Jaguar’s great heritage. This is a fitting way to celebrate the sporting credentials of the XK marque in the 75th year of the Jaguar name,” he continued.

Jaguar engineers increased the power and torque of the acclaimed 5.0-litre supercharged engine to 530PS and 655Nm respectively for the XKR 75, to deliver truly outstanding performance. While the limited edition model’s top speed is electronically limited to 174mph (280km/h), the XKR 75’s 0-60mph (100km/h) acceleration time is reduced from 4.6 to 4.4 seconds compared to the standard 510 PS XKR.

Using the rigid lightweight aluminium architecture of the XK as a solid foundation, theincreased power of the XKR 75 is matched by an agile, dynamic chassis that handles supremely, rides exceptionally well and stops with surefooted reassurance time after time.

The Jaguar XKR 75 features revised suspension and handling for increased precision and agility in addition to the performance enhancements. To ensure the XKR 75 remains stable at high speeds, a revised aerodynamic body pack with a front splitter, side sills extensions, a rear diffuser and larger rear spoiler provide increased balance and a reduction in lift.The XKR’s computerised Active Differential Control also adjusts to reduce steering sensitivity at very high speeds, further improving stability and driver control.

And with an improved acoustics package for the semi-active sports exhaust, the XKR 75 produces a pulse-racing growl to match its performance.

The car’s driver-focussed character, however, has not been achieved at the expense of the Jaguar traditional values of refinement and comfort.

“We conceived the XR 75 as a sports car with a duality of character that makes it perfectly suited to driving across Europe to the Nurburgring, completing some very fast laps, and then driving home again, added Mike Cross, Chief Engineer Vehicle Integrity.

The XKR 75 features a new Stratus Grey finish. Red brake callipers contrast the eye-catching 20-inch gloss Vortex forged lightweight alloys with a dark technical finish and diamond turn. Customers will have the option to apply a unique body graphic that runs from the front bumper to the rear haunches.

The XKR 75’s interior completes the driver-focussed performance environment finished in Charcoal with ivory stitch, piano black finish to facia and centre console and a Jet suedecloth headlining.

THE XKR 75 AT A GLANCE

The unique features of the exclusive new XKR 75 include:

• Increased performance through detailed engine and transmission recalibration
• Power increased to 530PS (compared to 510 PS on XKR)
• Torque increased to 655Nm (compared to 625Nm on XKR)
• Upgraded torque converter to handle the increased torque
• Upgraded suspension systems for increased precision and agility
• Increased spring and damper rates (front springs 28 per cent stiffer, rear springs 32 per cent stiffer)
• New fully-machined aluminium front and revised rear suspension upright for increased camber stiffness (increased by 25 per cent)
• Re-tuned Adaptive Dynamics damper control software
• Reduced ride height (15mm front and 10mm rear)
• Aerodynamic body pack with body coloured finish to front splitter, side sills extensions and rear diffuser, and body coloured larger rear spoiler and rear trunk lid finisher
• Sports exhaust with improved performance and acoustics – system has new crossover pipe and larger exhaust outlets
• New Stratus Grey exterior paint with optional graphics pack
• Red brake callipers and 20″ Vortex forged lightweight alloy wheels, diamond turned with dark grey finish
• XKR performance interior in Charcoal and Ivory stitch leather, with Jet suedecloth headlining and XKR 75 tread plate
• Active front lighting
• Final calibration was done in partnership with the RSR engineering team which has been collaborating with Jaguar on the 2010 motorsport programme.

Production of the XKR 75 will be limited to just 75 vehicles, which will be available to order from July 2010 in the UK priced from £85,500 OTR. Customer deliveries will commence during October.

I only report exceptional eBay offerings, but this one certainly qualifies on so many fronts.

The star of the 1999 Austin Powers movie International Man of Mystery is currently listed on eBay (item 260620514073). With 36 hours left in the auction as of this post, the auction has 8 bids and has not reached half of the Buy It Now price of US$59,900 – are you man enough to be seen in public with this car?

This Numbers Matching 1970 4.2 litre manual Jaguar XKE features include:

• British Flag Custom Paint – more than 400 man hours
• Custom Interior – Blue & Red with White Piping
• Hand Made Red Convertible Top & matching Red Boot Cover
• Red Custom Carpeting
• Chrome Wire Wheels and Red Line Tires
• Original Radio, Gearbox, Engine, etc.

UPDATE: 23 June, 2010:
The auction closed after 42 bids at $51,100 “Reserve not met“.

Ravi Kant is to handle Smith’s duties until until a permanent successor is found.

They have 11 images of a 1936 car, which isn’t quite 75 years old … nice try, but no cigar!

Phil McGovern writes in CrankAndPiston.com about a Jaguar XJ220 that is apparently abandoned on the streets of Qatar. It is a crying shame that 6 years and 900 kilometres of abuse can reduce such a beautiful car to the wreck pictured below.

More excellent pictures by Mick Bramley in the original article – read it and weep.

Update: Result …

2001 Daimler

Sky News reports that the 2001 Jaguar Daimler Majestic built specifically for the Queen is for sale, for a more than £65,000.

With only 14,000 miles on the clock, and custom features such as an armrest redesigned to hold the Queen’s handbag, this may still be a bargain.

Seller Peter Ratcliffe said,

This is a one-off chance to buy car that was made especially for the Queen. Nothing in the car has been changed from when it was owned by Her Majesty. It is totally unique.

Sometimes Google Maps throws out an unexpected bonus – it’s almost worth their efforts to record images of the whole world.

This D-Type Jaguar was captured at 136 Viale della Bornata, Brescia, Lombardy, Italy. You can view the original Google Map.

The coolest cats of all-time go head-to-head in a unique shoot-out!”

The cars reviewed are SS1 Airline, SS100, XK120, C-Type, D-Type, Mk I saloon, XK150, MkII, XJ13, E-Type, XJ6, XJS, XJ (XJ40), XJ220, XJ (X300), XK8, XJ (X350), X-Type, XF, XK, and XJ (new).