Jaguar's XK 180 roadster - the star of last autumn's Paris Motor Show - will join the celebrations of a landmark world record established by the Coventry-based luxury car manufacturer fifty years ago. In a spectacular conclusion to the Company's XK fiftieth anniversary celebrations, the stunning two seater concept car will speed down the measured kilometre in Jabbeke, Belgium, where, in 1949 Jaguar claimed a world production car speed record for the XK120 roadster.
THE JAGUAR XK180
The anniversary of the XK120's record-breaking 132.6 mph run will be celebrated on 30 May this year, exactly fifty years after the original record, was established, on a deserted stretch of motorway near Jabbeke.
With the active support of the civic authorities in Jabbeke and the Belgian authorities, a stretch of dual carriageway near to the original motorway will be closed to allow the celebrations to take place. Closure of the road exclusively for this event has been granted because of its historic and international importance to the community of Jabbeke and to Flanders.
Jaguar also plans to run a series of historically interesting XK-engined cars along the highway in addition to the XK180 roadster - which was conceived as the spiritual successor to the great XK-engined Jaguar roadsters of the fifties.
British and European owners of historically significant XK-powered cars will also participate in the special celebration runs down the 2.8 kilometre stretch of closed highway.
Text and photos courtesy of Fors Motor Company
