Jaguar Land Rover buys huge UK car collection

(July 31, 2014) Dentist James Hull made headlines in the United Kingdom earlier this year when he put up for sale his 543-car collection as a whole with an asking price of around $170 million. Jaguar Land Rover announced earlier this week that it will buy what is considered the world’s largest collection of British cars for its heritage operations.

Amassed over decades and warehoused in Herefordshire, the Hull collection — the largest private car collection in the United Kingdom — contains more than 130 Jaguars, including a 1923 Swallow Sidecar, an SS100, an alloy XK120, a 420 owned by William Lyons, a C-Type, a D-Type, and an XKSS.



“It’s the culmination of a life-long hobby,” Hull told the Daily Mail in May. “Each car has its own story and all have played a part in the history of British motoring.” According to the Daily Mail, Hull was selling the collection and hoping to get at least £100 million ($169 million) for it. Other estimates of his collection’s value pegged it at between £25 million and £35 million (between $42 million and $60 million). Jaguar did not reveal how much it spent for the collection.

Jaguar Land Rover noted that it will use the cars in the collection “to support brand and experiential marketing … in existing and emerging markets” and that the purchase “is part of an increased commitment by Jaguar Land Rover to protect and nurture the rich heritage possessed by both brands.”

No mention was made in the announcement whether Jaguar Land Rover will put the cars on permanent display or whether it will keep or sell the non-Jaguar Land Rover cars in the collection.

“We share the same objective as James to keep this unique collection in British hands and we are delighted this agreement secures their custody for the future,” said John Edwards, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations.

Hull, 53, founded a chain of dentists offices that operate around the United Kingdom, focusing on cosmetic dentistry.

Source: Hemmings Daily Blog (Daniel Strohl)