Some wheels carry history with them and this is one of those stories.
We were recently contacted by Simon Spurrell, Director of The Classic Mechanic, who was deep into the restoration of a very special car: a Jaguar XJ-S Hypersport conversion, circa 1987.
A rare and iconic machine, and one that deserved the correct wheels to match.
Back to the Late 80s
The request was for a set of our Billet 25 wheels, a true throwback design.
These 3-piece billet-centred wheels, often recognised for their distinctive “pepper pot”Jaguar styling, became well known for their use on Hypersport Jaguars back in the late 80s and early 90s. Originally produced by us for Paul Hands at Hypersport, the Billet 25 is a design that’s firmly rooted in that era.
While it’s no longer listed on our website, one thing remains the same:
If we’ve made it before — we can make it again.
Built for the Perfect Stance
For this build, Simon opted for a staggered setup to suit the car’s presence and proportions:
- 8.0 x 17″ front wheels
- 10.0 x 17″ rear wheels
Finished in classic silver centres with beautifully polished outer rims, the result stays true to the original look while benefiting from modern manufacturing and materials.
A perfect balance of period correctness and contemporary quality.
A Standout at the NEC
The car itself — a rare 1985 Jaguar XJ-S V12 Hypersport — is now nearing the end of its restoration and was recently showcased at the NEC Classic Car & Restoration Show, proudly displayed on the XJS Club stand.
And it didn’t go unnoticed…
The car was awarded “Star of the Show”, standing out among around 1300 classic cars, an incredible achievement and a testament to the quality of the build.
Proud to Be Part of It
It’s always special to revisit one of our heritage designs, but even more so when it’s for a car of this calibre.
A huge thank you to Simon and The Classic Mechanic for trusting us with such an important part of the build.
