Jaguar’s ‘Greatest Hits’ XJ6, created for Iron Maiden star
Jaguar Classic pairs up with Nicko McBrain to create the Iron Maiden’s ultimate Jaguar XJ.


Words by: Tom Webster
Published on 6 March 2018 | 0 min read
- Jaguar Classic creates one-off ‘Greatest Hits’ XJ6
- Took more than 3,500 hours to complete
- Personalised features throughout
Jaguar Classic has helped Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain get around this by creating his ideal car: a 1984 XJ6 that has been dubbed the ‘Greatest Hits’ model. Appropriately, given Nicko has lived his life at the heart of one of the biggest and greatest heavy metal bands in the world, the car features several music-inspired touches, including a bespoke stereo with guitar amplifier-inspired control knobs created from aluminium.

It also gets a touch of the modern and the classic, with a fully integrated touch-screen satellite navigation system with rear-view camera, upgraded air conditioning, and remote central locking. Personalised touches include several components from Nicko’s first XJ6, including the original ignition key from 1984. It also gets elements from the Jaguar E-type engine, with a bespoke exhaust, which means it should sound as good outside as it will in the cabin.

“This is my ultimate XJ – my third, and lovingly, named ‘Johnny 3’. It has been a true labour of love between Jaguar Classic and myself,” he said. “I’m so excited by its completion and especially to be showing it at Geneva – it really is a Greatest Hits edition and to me it defines what the Jaguar XJ is all about.” If you want to do a bit of dreaming, take a look at our pick of the best classic cars.
