The converters : Owen Sedanca

Two years before British Leyland launched the Jaguar XJ-S, the Jaguar dealership H.R. Owen came up with a coupe of its own…

Here’s our updated story from the people who owned, built and restored the three examples built. It’s a typical British story of opportunity and ultimately failure.


Owen Sedanca – more grace, less space?

The first of the Panther-built Owen Sedancas, which differed in various details from the original cars. Most noticable are the different door handles, mounted higher on the door, and the alternative headlamp arrangement.
The first of the Panther-built Owen Sedancas, which differed in various details from the original cars. Most noticeable are the different door handles, mounted higher on the door, and the alternative headlamp arrangement

HR Owen had a penchant for commissioning customised Leyland products. Having enjoyed moderate success with the Crayford/FLM Panelcraft Rover P6 Estoura, its next project was altogether more ambitious: in September 1973, it presented the Owen Sedanca, a bespoke coupé conversion based on the Jaguar XJ saloon.

Designed by Chris Humberstone, the car took its inspiration from the rather more exotic Lamborghini Espada which was owned by H.R. Owen boss Gerald Ronson at the time. Of course, the Espada had itself begun life as the Bertone Pirana, a radically rebodied Jaguar E-type.

Owen Sedanca: Some original design sketches...
Some original design sketches…
Owen Sedanca: Alternative tailgate arrangements are interesting...
Alternative tailgate arrangements are interesting…

A very British affair

The Sedanca’s all-aluminium bodywork was skillfully hand-beaten by north London coachbuilder Williams & Pritchard, who then applied it to the superstructure of the XJ6 donor car. Inside, the car was plushly reupholstered in very-1970s brown Draylon.

Inevitably, the finished product attracted a hefty price tag of £8500 – well over twice the price of the car on which it was based, and even eclipsing the likes of the Bristol 411 and Jensen Interceptor by a fair margin. And yet, despite the fact that it was powered by nothing more exciting than the standard 4.2-litre Jaguar engine, H.R. Owen managed to take 80 firm orders for the car on the strength of the first prototype.

Things looked promising, with H.R. Owen envisaging around 100 orders per annum, but disaster was just around the corner: in the time that it took to build the first ‘production’ model, the impending Oil Crisis ensured that, one by one, each of those 80 orders was cancelled. With no buyers in sight, H.R. Owen wound up the operation.

Who made the Owen Sedanca?

The prototype Sedanca takes shape at the workshops of Williams & Pritchard. As can be seen here, its fixed roof meant that it was a sedanca in name only.
The prototype Sedanca takes shape at the workshops of Williams & Pritchard. As can be seen here, its fixed roof meant that it was a Sedanca in name only

On the matter of the ownership and production of these cars, Anne Russell-Steele, the daughter of the first car’s owner, recalled, ‘My mother had the original white car built for her, as she would not cancel her original order and I have photographs of it at our house in Oxford (see below) and have been driven in it many times and have driven it.

‘We sold our house in Oxford to a Lebanese (Arab) gentleman and stayed good friends with him and his family and he eventually bought my mother’s car for his eldest son as he was so impressed with it. He then commissioned a second car to be built (blue) for his second son, though neither sons were of an age to drive them on the public roads at the time. When the gentleman left the UK both cars were sold.’

This time, H.R. Owen gave the job of building the car to Panther Westwinds, and it seems that the finished article made a good impression, as a further Owen Sedanca was built by Panther in 1983 for the same customer’s son. Both these cars have survived – leaving us with a total of three produced.

How many Owen Sedancas were made?

Anne recalled: ‘The HRO1 was the prototype – as my mother had only bought the car from drawings, they brought the prototype down for her to have a look at and decide colours etc. The other photos are when they delivered the car (by which time we had moved).

‘On their first attempt to deliver the car on one of the country roads they bashed the front bumper of the car and had to take it back to repair. The nose was like Concorde’s and you couldn’t see the end of the bonnet. It was easier to park if you put the lights up and then gave it a couple of feet.

‘I remember my parents being stopped by police once as they were supposed to know all types of cars on the road and they hadn’t seen one like that before. It had a very luxurious interior with silver-topped decanters and brushes in the arm rest etc.’

One of HR Owen's original publicity shots for the Owen Sedanca, showing the prototype car (also seen at the top of this page) which was later destroyed, along with the first production example
One of H.R. Owen’s original publicity shots for the Owen Sedanca, showing the prototype car (also seen at the top of this page) which was later destroyed, along with the first production example

Who built them?

AROnline Contributor Andrew McKenzie recalled his involvement on the project. ‘I worked on three of these cars. The first prototype built was not to H.R. Owen’s satisfaction (justifiably), and as the firm had become agents for Panther Westwinds it was sent to us for improvement.’

He added: ‘I managed the team that worked on this project. The second car was about half-built as I recall, and was also completed by “my” team at Panther. The third car was even less complete, I think Williams & Pritchard (the original coachbuilders) had given up on it, so it to was sent to Panther.

‘It was not finished by the time I left Panther, and they declined to do further work on it. It was then sent to my new employer Matchless Engineering in the West Midlands for me to finally complete for H.R. Owen.’

Where does the Owen Sedanca name come from?

By the way, if the Owen Sedanca name has a familar ring to it, that’s probably because it was borrowed from H.R. Owen’s past: in the 1930s, the firm had commissioned a number of Rolls-Royce and Bentley-based Owen sedanca coupés from the Cricklewood-based coachbuilders Gurney Nutting.

Unlike the 1970s version, the original cars were true sedancas, in that they could be driven with the front seats open to the elements.

Owen Sedanca in the press

The October 1973 edition of Motor Sport magazine had this to say 0n the Owen Sedanca. ‘A Jaguar XJ6/XJ12-based luxury four-seater touring car on the lines of the Lamborghini Espada has been announced by H.R. Owen Limited, the Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar etc. distributors. The Owen Sedanca, named after the same firm’s coachwork on Rolls-Royce and Bentley chassis in the ’30s, has a hand-built, aluminium body of exotic lines.

Yet its two doors are so wide that rear-seat passengers can climb in without moving the front seat backrests and 25.38cu ft of luggage can be swallowed up through the rear tailgate without piling it more than 18in high or without lowering the rear seal backrests. With the seat back laid flat it is claimed that 34.56cu ft can be accommodated, so this is a functional as well as exotic car.

If its mechanical components are not so exciting as say a Ferrari or Lamborghini they should at least ensure that London owners (where most exotica seem to be wasted) should not have to endure plug and maintenance problems, while the V12 option should leave very little to be desired in the way of performance.

Owen Sedanca options and prices

‘Automatic is standard on the V12, which sells for £9500, while presumably manual or automatic can be specified on the £8500 4.2-litre straight-six, in line with the XJ6. The floor pan and running gear is identical to that of the XJ6/12, but even better roadholding and handling is claimed because of the lower polar moment of inertia.

Design was carried out by Chris Humberstone of SAC Designs Ltd., a member of the SAC Group in common with HR Owen. The body is said to exceed all known safety requirements, the entire passenger compartment being protected by a tubular space frame incorporating a double roll-over bar.

Interior appointments are lavish, to say the least, upholstery being in suede, Bridge of Weir leather, and Draylon, while lambswool carpets are fitted. A stereo radio/cassette player and recorder is numbered among the long list of standard equipment, along with silver-backed hair and clothes brushes and notepad!’

Update: Gold Sedanca in new hands

Richard Town got in touch to let us know that, as of May 2017, he’s the new owner of the above example. He says, ‘It’s a small world, this classic car game. The seller is a restorer of Lagonda and Alvis, but now retiring so clearing the decks. It’s now in the wilds of Hampshire. The Classic Car Show’s presenter of this ‘barn find” was Chris Routledge, now of Coys the Auctioneers’ fame.’

He adds: ‘It’s much the worse for non-use I’m afraid: with only 23,000 miles on the clock it’d been left outside under a tree for years with the inevitable result to its XJ6 Mk1 floorpan and other members. But I did start it, moved it back and forward a bit, and found the brakes still braking and the steering still steering. Although I’ll have the calipers renovated and all hydraulic lines changed. Just to be sure.

‘Currently planning to just bring is back to roadworthy for the end of this season and then see where to go from there.’

Owen Sedanca brochure

Owen Sedanca brochure Owen Sedanca brochure Owen Sedanca brochure Owen Sedanca brochure

Brochure supplied by Jon Williams – thank you!

Keith Adams
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27 Comments

  1. Great to hear of there being three survivors. Whilst I wouldn’t call it a pretty car, it could most certainly be described as both very striking and intriguing. Hope the oh-so-70’s Jason King brown dralon upholstery survives- would be a shame to dilute the style of a car that is very much fixed in its era- as distinct from certain other classics which could be described as ‘timeless’.

    Is it me or did those back lights come off a Datsun?

  2. I saw the gold one again. Not sure what’s happening to it if anything. Took a picture:

    [http://www.flickr.com/photos/72582258@N04/9313477321/]

  3. I’m sure I have seen a green/gold Owen Sedanka parked in a driveway in St Johns, Woking. It’s on open view and parked under trees. I pass the car every morning on the way to work so I try and get a photo of it.

  4. Being from Germany, I notice a “parts bin special” that wouldn’t have been so obvious to the average British motorist. The rear light clusters are straight from the Ford Taunus TC 1, the German parallel model to the British Cortina Mk 3. Smart move!

  5. The gold one WLY 666M has just been featured this evening as barn find of the week on Channel 5’s Classic Car Show. It is reportedly the 1973 preproduction prototype. At the time of filming it seemed to be living in a lock-up garage “in South-east London”.

  6. Didn’t look like a barn find, not much in the lock up with it (ie piled on top!) and not dusty. Then reading here it was sitting on a drive. Maybe SORNED, but not a ‘locked away and forgotton about for decades car’ – THAT’S A BARN FIND

  7. I am glad to see the “Golden Girl”(my nickname for her)is still lurking around! I have done a bit of work on the old girl back in the mid 90’s. She features in a quick video I made on YouTube. Just type Owen Sedanca 🙂

  8. Just a bit of background on the Owen until 1988 I owned a garage in Shepherds Bush one of my customers was Bob Manuklian the right hand man of the Sultan of Brunei’s brother he purchased what I believe was the prototype car at the Barclay Square Ball charity auction for around 14k & kept it at his house in Eaton Squre at that time it had only 5000 miles on the clock it had very little use as I MOT’d the car every year it never had more than 100 miles on the clock at one time I had the car for sale but could not find a buyer I did receive an offer of 10k but this was turned down I assume this was the barrn find on the classic car show as one thing stands out in my mind was the two tone front seats and the suede dashboard

  9. Hi I have an original sales brochure for the Owen Sedanca I picked up at the 76 motor show!!! Would love it to go to an owner of one of the 3 cars!!!
    I can be contacted on 0041786050401
    Many thanks and regards Julian

  10. I now own “Golden Girl” having eventually purchased from the lock-up’s keeper. And yes, it was in bandit country — Croydon, sarfeast Lundun innit…

    It’s a small world, this classic car game. The seller is a restorer of Lagonda and Alvis, but now retiring so clearing the decks. It’s now in the wilds of Hampshire. The Classic Car Show’s presenter of this “barn find” was Chris Routledge, now of Coys the Auctioneers’ fame

    It’s much the worse for non-use I’m afraid: with only 23,000 miles on the clock it’d been left outside under a tree for years with the inevitable result to its XJ6 Mk1 floor pan and other members.

    But I did start it, moved it back and forward a bit, and found the brakes still braking and the steering still steering. Although I’ll have the calipers renovated and all hydraulic lines changed. Just to be sure.

    Currently planning to just bring is back to roadworthy for the end of this season and then see where to go from there.

    I’ve got enough classic cars as it is: Citroen DS23 Pallas RHD, Jaguar XJ8 Sport, to name but two

    @Keith — did you ever get a scan of the original sales brochure?
    I’m picking up the fat file this week — but can’t remember it being in there

    Would post a current sad pix here if I knew how…

      • What with having a restorer that’s insisting on taking “Golden Girl” back to its original white — I’m a fellow OCD sufferer but would prefer the aluminum body be restored into its well known gold colour — and having to source Wicks kitchen unit magnetic fasteners for the petrol filler flaps, it’s going to be an interesting time. I’m told the chrome window surrounds are Lotus… Here’s hoping there’s stock…

        Hope to have Golden Girl (thanks for the name, Ox. Nicked!) on the road for August and will try and catch the last few shows of this year’s season
        Always assuming I’m still solvent 😉

        But if indeed this is HRO1 then there’s an argument for white. I’ll see what’s in the fat file this week

        Thanks for your update, Keith
        Bests, Richard (former NCTJ galley slave too)

  11. At last free of the paintshop and “Goldie” is no more gold but back in its BMC Old English White. Now in the trimshop I’ve decided to copy the 80’s style of dash (VMY16S’s) instead of the original ’73-inspired brown on brown velur that was far too dull for the cabin.
    All the rest is as per original though. The sweep of cream across from the door card —> dash —> door card is far better lightens up the cabin. Especially with the same fabric as headlining…

    Keith: did you ever get the original sales brochure scan?

  12. I myself find it hard to believe that HRO 1 and Goldie are the same car. When I saw this car on The Classic Car Show, I started to question some of Chris Routledge’s affirmations. First of all, he was adamant that this was “The Only One in the World”, when it’s been verified that there were at least 3 built. (some sources even say 5). Secondly, he said “It’s supposed to be white”, and he proved this claim by pointing at the gold bumper where it had some paint peeling off, and clearly showing a white undercoating. However, as we have seen in older pics and videos from WLY 666M, the bumper was black, and was later repainted to match the gold body. This doesn’t prove that the entire body was white, just that the car had a re sprayed bumper. Thirdly, there is video evidence that this car was present at the 1976 Earl’s Court Motorshow when it was brand new painted gold on the H.R. Owen stand. In the video (which I will link below) there is mention of the Sedanca 3 years ago, 1973. That car was HRO 1. WLY 666M is therefore a different car, shown three years afterwards in 1976. And finally, we have to talk door handles because it is extremely obvious that the door handles on HRO1 are not only of a different design to those of the other Sedancas, but are also placed significantly lower on the body. Based on this facts, I am forced to believe that thes two cars are different.

    Here are the links to:

    The Thames TV Report of the ’76 Earl’s Court Show:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ7p_Wyhc-k

    The Classic Car Show Episode 11 when they claim to have found HRO1:
    https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6k6zp6

  13. I worked on 3 of these cars, the first prototype built was not to H R Owen’s satisfaction (justifiably) and as they had become agents for Panther Cars it was sent to us for improvement: I managed the team that worked on this project. The second car was about 1/2 built as I recall, and was also completed by “my” team at Panther. The third car was even less complete, I think Williams & Pritchard (the original coachbuilders) had given up on it, si it to was sent to Panther. It was not finished by the time I left Panther, and they declined to do further work on it. It was then sent to my new employer Matchless Engineering in the West Midlands for me to finally complete for H R Owen.

  14. Dear Andrew,
    How nice to read you.
    Nothing to do with the Sedanca, Keith Adams please apologize for this, I own a red XJ12 Serie 3 Estate that was designed by Chris Humberstone on order from Mr Williams from Hatfields in 1984. My car was followed by 2 XJ40 estates ordered by the same Mr Williams to Chris Humberstone and a 3rd one was supplied to an American owner. Few is known about these cars.
    For what I know the builder was Connaught Design from Hayes and you’re said to have participate to these conversions. Could you give some highlights about the building of these cars ?
    Best regards,
    Pascal

  15. I found a white one of these in a drive hidden well, spoke to a lady at the address and she said it had not been moved in 10 years. It has weeds growing all over it and is under a tree, needs saving but she said she can’t sell it but her kids don’t want it either.

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