OUR STORY
Classic Works is the home of Jaguar Land Rover Classic , where our passionate people and beautiful vehicles combine to deliver exclusive experiences. Located in Ryton-on-Dunsmore in the West Midlands, Classic Works is in the heart of the UK automotive industry.
Our state-of-the-art, purpose-built 14,000sqm facility features a vehicle showroom housing both Jaguar and Land Rover models, and 54 fully equipped workshop bays. Under the same roof, our team is responsible for maintaining a unique archive of original documents, and delivering the finest owner services, developing genuine parts and classic experiences.
Classic Works is also home to our Approved classics – a curated selection of pre-owned vehicles rigorously inspected by experts and offered for sale to discerning enthusiasts.
Every Jaguar Land Rover Classic creation benefits from the attention of our skilled craftspeople, many of whom have decades of experience of, and passion for, these legendary vehicles.
Thousands of hours go into every restoration and bespoke commission, with traditional methods used for the most authentic results, from hand-rolled body panels to hand-stitched leather interior trim.
Through Classic Works, we offer unique servicing options that combine period perfect checks with the latest techniques and exceptional attention to detail.
Only the highest quality parts are used, ensuring each component is designed to the precise original specification and manufactured to the highest standard.
Jaguar Land Rover Classic is uniquely qualified to ensure your vehicle delivers the most authentic driving experience – with all the support of the original manufacturer.
Our Team
With decades of experience, our team delivers unparalleled expertise for all historic Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles. From father and son teams to archive experts, the passionate people at Classic Works bring exceptional skills and attention-to-detail across the whole range of historic Jaguars and Land Rovers.
IAN and ASHLEY WHITING – Father and Son team, bringing original Land Rovers back to life.
Back in April 1948, the original Land Rover was revealed to the world at the Amsterdam Motor Show. The pre-production model – know internally as Car Number 7 – was the first Land Rover that the public had ever seen. The vehicle changed hands over the next 20 years until it was presumed lost without record in 1968. In 2016, the car was found in a pretty sorry state, completely covered in mud. It was subsequently investigated and then meticulously restored by Land Rover Classic’s restoration team, who began to uncover some of the incredible details of the one-of-a-kind vehicle they had discovered.
Ian Whiting
Part of the team that brought this precious example back to life was father and son, Ian Whiting (61) and Ashley Whiting (31). They, along with their team of restoration experts, helped to conduct a lengthy, ‘patina restoration’ on the vehicle – preserving the rust and exterior state, while completely overhauling the inner workings and mechanical components, making it completely safe to drive on the road. They even placed a 1948 coin they had found under the tub capping back in its place, which they believed had been put there for good luck during its first build.
The vehicle now sits as the pinnacle of what can be achieved at Classic Works, serving as a reminder of the beginnings of the Land Rover story and Spencer Wilks’s vision to create an accessible and practical overlanding vehicle.
Ashley Whiting
Both Ian and Ashley are Land Rover enthusiasts at heart, and frequently work together on examples of their own. Ashley owns a Series II Land Rover from the early Sixties and Ian, ironically, owns the father model – a midFifties Series I. They both love the rough-and-ready ethos of the older Land Rover Series models, and how easy they are to work on.
They both even know the exact, perfect Land Rover models that they would love to build. “A marine blue Series III short wheelbase with truck cab – that would be the dream”, Ashley said.
“A four door Range Rover Vogue SE with a classic V8 in it for me”, added Ian.
Chris Madden & James Barrett – Our XJ220 specialist and the next generation of Classic technicians.
As a strictly limited-edition car, only 282 examples of the exclusive Jaguar XJ220 were produced. Yet they’re still a familiar sight at Jaguar Classic in Ryton, West Midlands, where they are serviced and – if necessary – repaired and restored by the team of skilled technicians. Jaguar Land Rover is unusual in having an in-house department devoted to looking after its world-renowned historic vehicles.
Chris Madden
That’s where you’ll find Chris Madden, who specialises in servicing the XJ220. Working at Jaguar’s historic Browns Lane factory, Chris began servicing the iconic supercar in 1994. ‘Thirty years on, I’m still servicing XJ220s,’ he says.
Vehicles arrive at Classic Works from around the world for routine maintenance and restoration, with cars requiring servicing every 12 months and each service taking around 12 hours.
Three technicians currently look after XJ220s at Classic Works, including final year apprentice James Barrett. “I wanted to work for Classic because I’ve always been into classic cars and have some projects of my own.” He owns a Land Rover Series II and a Series III, both of which he is restoring.
James Barrett
James is 20, so the XJ220 is more than 10 years older than him. As James says, “People come to Classic because we’re the original manufacturer. We designed the cars so we’re the best people to work on them. We also have all the correct tooling, which gives great customer assurance. And Chris is an expert. With 30 years of experience, he is a fantastic tutor.”
All parts are sourced by Jaguar Land Rover Classic. Many use new tooling from new suppliers – including the XJ220’s F1-style bladder fuel tank. “There are no problems with parts moving forward,” notes Chris. Jaguar Land Rover Classic can source parts for any historic vehicle.
Chris has worked at Jaguar Land Rover for 45 years. He first drove the XJ220 to carry out Pre-Delivery Inspections before delivery to customers, back when they were new in the early Nineties. “We took them to the Bruntingthorpe proving ground in Leicestershire. We did three or four laps and did 170 or 180mph just to make sure they performed like an XJ220 should.”
James is still looking forward to his first drive.
David Allan – Restoring Range Rover Velar prototypes with unparalleled experience and knowledge.
When Land Rover Classic was approached by a fastidious client to completely recommission a 1970 Range Rover Velar prototype, David was the only man for the job.
With experience in the Jaguar Land Rover world since 2008 and with Jaguar Land Rover Classic since 2018, David has a long career working in the British automotive industry. He even helped to build the first two Jaguar XJ220 prototypes following time spent developing and building its gearbox.
Having completed a full restoration of another prototype Velar, David entirely overhauled YVB 154H while maintaining the highest degree of authenticity, to ensure its survival as a prized part of its owner’s impressive collection of Jaguar and Land Rover classics, which is used and enjoyed on a regular basis.
David Allan
With his previous Velar restoration fresh in his mind, David was able to complete this vehicle with unparalleled experience and knowledge, assisted by original manuals and documents held in the Land Rover Classic archive, and with his optimistic attitude of “if there’s a problem, you just sort it.”
The vehicle started life being used as a factory runaround in-period at Solihull and is therefore one of the most significant and earliest examples of the entire Range Rover lineage.
The restoration project began with the vehicle arriving at Classic Works in pieces in October 2023, with bodysides laying beside the chassis and parts arriving all over time. The finished product features the original dashboard, seat frames, chassis and gearbox – all refurbished to the highest standard and to its original prototype specification – with some new parts to ensure reliability and the highest possible quality finish.
The Velar was completed in summer 2024 through Land Rover Classic’s sign-off and audit process, ready for its debut at Hampton Court in September.
Our Apprentices – Our youngest people, working on JLR’s oldest cars.
Some of JLR’s youngest people work on JLR’s oldest cars. At Jaguar Land Rover Classic, seven young apprentices learn their skills on historic vehicles such as Jaguar E-Type and XJ220, and early Land Rovers and Range Rovers. The vehicles are invariably older than they are, and in some cases older than their grandparents.
‘It’s crucial that the younger generation learn the skills to keep these wonderful and beautiful old vehicles on the road,’ says final year apprentice James Barrett, 20.
Classic Apprentices
Jaguar Land Rover Classic is dedicated to preserving and restoring its wonderful motoring heritage. Jaguar’s heritage goes back more than 100 years, and Land Rover’s 76 years. The Classic Works facility in Ryton, West Midlands is a purpose-built operation dedicated to historic vehicles, and is the largest of its kind in the world.
Here, James Barrett, Harry Seaton, Jay Southerton, Lewis Carroll, Olie Underwood, Will Panther and Jade Hands learn their craft from highly experienced mentors. All work on the shopfloor, all on classic Jaguar or Land Rover vehicles – including servicing and restoring.
JADE HANDS
Jade, 22, a third-year apprentice, is the only female. Another young woman will join her in next year’s apprentice intake, alongside two young men. ‘My dad works for JLR, so I know it’s a good company to work for,’ says Jade. ‘I’d seen the modern cars and thought they were brilliant but didn’t know anything about the classics.’ Jade is correcting that by not only working on the shopfloor, but also in the archive room.
‘I get terrific one-to-one mentoring from engineering managers like Marta Igareta-Moreno. We need to learn the wisdom of our mentors, so we can help preserve the company’s heritage.’ She is training to be a technician, like all the Jaguar Land Rover Classic apprentices. One day, she would like to work in engineering.
Jade now loves JLR classic vehicles. ‘They’re such beautiful cars. I’ve been on test rides and hearing people shout, “wow look at that car!” gives me a great sense of pride.’
As the only female apprentice and the only woman on the shopfloor, Jade says work can be daunting. ‘But my managers are great and they understand the need for greater diversity. They know a good female technician can strip a diff or suspension just as skilfully as any man.’ Mentor Marta Igareta-Moreno has been at Classic for two years and is one of many examples of successful senior female engineers at JLR.
JAMES BARRET
Final year apprentice James Barrett has long been fascinated by classic cars. ‘I love the design of classic cars. Looking after them is not a skill set that is being handed down. That’s why the Jaguar Land Rover Classic apprenticeships are so important.’
James also owns two classics – a Series II Land Rover, purchased in 2021 which had been parked in a barn in Somerset since 1980, and a Series III bought last year. ‘I have nut-and-bolt restored the Series II and it’s just had its first drive.’
His mentor Chris Madden is a 45-year JLR veteran and a specialist in servicing the XJ220 supercar. When it was launched in 1992, it was the fastest production car in the world. James regularly helps Chris service this exciting and historic Jaguar. James is also currently building an early ’60s Jaguar Mk2 for the Goodwood Revival meeting in September.
Will Panther
First year apprentice Will Panther, 20, has also been fascinated by cars since he was a child. ‘My grandad worked for Jaguar at Browns Lane ages ago. He always said his job was a great inconvenience to him. I don’t feel that way at all. I love my job.’ He is particularly fond of Range Rovers – from the first, right up to the latest. ‘The wonderful history of Range Rover is one of the reasons the new ones sell so well. When people buy a JLR car, they buy into the legacy.’
Final-year apprentice Lewis Carroll, 30, had several jobs – including working winter and summer seasons in Lech, Austria – before starting his apprenticeship in 2020. He still spends time hiking, bouldering, and ‘helping my partner’s father with horsebox repairs’.
Youngest apprentice Harry Seaton, 17, has a strong interest in cars. He loves restoring classic cars, ‘each with a different story and background’.
Meanwhile 19-year-old Jay Southerton grew passionate about old cars at a young age. ‘My parents regularly took me to classic car shows. When I got older, I knew I wanted to work on them. This apprenticeship was a perfect fit for me.’
Third year apprentice Oli Underwood, 24, says he’s very into classic cars. He has spent most of his time at Jaguar Land Rover Classic working on the Series I, the original Land Rover model built from 1948-1957. This includes the Series I Reborn programme – cars perfectly restored from the ground up, by Jaguar Land Rover Classic.
It’s one of the many programmes JLR offers to ensure its historic cars continue to run and enthral a new generation of car enthusiasts – all ably assisted by skilled young apprentices.
Expert Classic Servicing
SERVICING
Jaguar Land Rover Classic is committed to maintaining the history and protecting the value of your classic Jaguar or Land Rover for the years to come. Our highly trained engineers and technicians have decades of experience and knowledge, ensuring work is completed to the very highest of standards.
From routine maintenance through to complete rebuilds of engines, transmissions, brakes and suspension, we cherish your classic as much as you do.
Jaguar Land Rover Classic Parts supplies genuine parts for Jaguar and Land Rover models that have been out of production for 10 years or more. Manufactured to precise specifications using original drawings and tooling, often by the original suppliers, these components offer 100 per cent authenticity.
Rigorously tested to ensure they work in absolute harmony with your vehicle, our official parts also provide uncompromising standards for fit, quality and durability. The range includes tens of thousands of parts, while new components and products are constantly being introduced.
Restorations
Whether it’s a cherished vehicle passed down through generations, or a classic model sourced by the experts at JLR Classic, we offer a full vehicle restoration service to take your Jaguar or Land Rover and return it to showroom condition. With decades of experience and access to an extensive archive of original drawings and specifications, our technicians have unrivalled knowledge in the repair and restoration of classic JLR vehicles.
To enquire about restoring your own classic Jaguar or Land Rover, please get in touch.
‘Greatest Hits’ XJ6
Discover the bespoke Jaguar XJ6 build for Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain, restored by Jaguar Classic. This unique project combines classic car elegance with rock star flair, featuring custom modifications and a powerful 4.2-litre engine.
HER MAJESTY’S PLATINUM JUBILEE
Jaguar Classic showcased a bespoke E-type at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant, featuring unique enhancements like a custom deep metallic blue finish, a 4.7-litre engine, and modern connectivity. This one-off model highlights the extensive personalisation possible by Jaguar Classic.
Velar
Land Rover Classic restored a pre-production Range Rover Velar using original parts and modernizing with power steering. This project highlights the expertise of Classic Works in creating bespoke, high-quality restorations.
E-type Commemorative
Fifty years since the last production Jaguar E-type, Jaguar Classic created E-type Commemorative: two rarefied vehicles for one discerning client. A celebration of the style and sophistication of the original with new, precious details.
A TAILOR-MADE XK120
Jaguar Classic’s experts worked in close collaboration with renowned British model and lifelong Jaguar enthusiast David Gandy to create his race-ready XK120.
