Nicko McBrain’s custom-built ‘Greatest Hits’ Jaguar XJ6 kicks off the British automaker’s XJ 50th anniversary celebrations in 2018.
The bespoke commission is a collaboration between Nicko, the expert engineers and craftsmen at Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works in Coventry, and Jaguar Design studio director Wayne Burgess. The project involved more than 3500 man-hours of work, with more than 4000 parts refinished, replaced or redesigned. Unlike any 1984 XJ6 before, it incorporates substantial modifications to the exterior, interior, drivetrain and suspension, resulting in Nicko’s dream XJ.
Inside, yesteryear Jaguar style meets modern-day convenience. The leather seats are hand-trimmed in Pimento Red with black piping and embossed headrests, while a black hand-crafted carpet and Alcantara headlining finishes off the trim. The dashboard features Dark Grey stained Sycamore veneers – the preferred material for Nicko’s favourite snare drums.
Further nods to the owner’s art include machined aluminium rotary controls on the dashboard modelled on the control knobs of the guitar amplifiers created by Nicko’s great friend Jim Marshall, and drum kit-inspired pedals finished in chrome and black. The custom three-spoke sports steering wheel features Nicko’s unique mascot – the ‘Eddie Growler’, first seen on his specially commissioned 2013 Jaguar XKR-S.
Bespoke soft down lighting illuminates the revised dashboard, in which a state-of-the-art Alpine touchscreen controls the 1100-watt sound system, powering speakers from Nicko’s preferred Jaguar audio installation, the model-year 2012 XF.
Incorporating a number of reconditioned parts from McBrain’s original XJ6, the 4.2-litre inline 6-cylinder engine features three 2-inch SU carburettors from the E-type – Nicko’s favourite setup. Machined quad-exhaust tailpipes finish-off a specially designed exhaust system.
Preserved components from Nicko’s first XJ6, which spent many years stood in the grounds of the home of Iron Maiden bass guitarist Steve Harris, following Nicko’s move to America, are present elsewhere in the build – from the iconic Jaguar leaper bonnet mascot, which first attracted Nicko to buy the car, to the original ignition keys from 1984. 
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