A proper supercar from the 1990s spotted at Caffeine & Machine...
After the success of one of our latest photo gallery articles when we visited Maundrells (that's here if you haven't seen that one) we decided to head out to another spot I'd heard quite a bit about that also happens to be automotive themed.
Caffeine and Machine is a coffee house, bar, restaurant and B&B located just outside of Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire. But...it's much more than that.
Caffeine and Machine is closer to a clubhouse for people who, as they put it 'appreciate moving things'. If you like bikes, cars or anything with a motor you'll feel right at home here. The end result of this brand is a destination where people with the same passion can turn up for a late lunch with some friends and will get chatting to the guy parked next to them in the car park with that one car they always wanted.
Caffeine & Machine - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Ben, Damon and I decided to do just that the other week as we headed out for lunch, each with a camera in hand and a mutual hopefulness for a sighting of something cool in the car park. Let's just say we weren't disappointed...
Time to explore Caffeine and Machine.
Caffeine & Machine - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Stepping inside you’ll be met with a massive chrome bar with images of Porsche, Jaguars and a lime green bike in the corner (as you do, right?) The interior decor continues into the seating area with rich brown wooden tables and benches complimented with C&M logos in abundance. The artwork is also scattered throughout the building with alloys being used as a doorstop and photographs from your favourite car photography Instagram accounts available in prints for purchase.
Caffeine & Machine - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Great burgers at Caffeine & Machine - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Oh and the food is just what you want, all three of us recommend the burgers and sweet potato fries.
That's one way to use an alloy! - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Caffeine & Machine - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Caffeine & Machine - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Caffeine & Machine - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
As you leave the bar area, be sure to swing by the room with the green VW Beetle in (you can’t miss it) where thankfully the art and overall coolness continues. Behind is a room full of merchandise all Caffeine and Machine branded of course.
After we had refuelled in the restaurant we headed outside to meet Phil McGovern, the main man behind the brand and take a look at what set of wheels he had with him.
The Jaguar XJ220 220 VAN (this isn’t just any XJ220…)
Jaguar XJ220 '220 VAN' - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The XJ220 was Jaguar’s venture in the supercar market in the 1990s with a top speed of 213mph weighing just 1,470kg it was a pretty crazy one for the time. To be honest those specs compete with most supercars you see nowadays. A real testament to the brands vision.
Jaguar XJ220 '220 VAN' - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
As we’ve hinted at, however, this isn’t just any XJ220. This is chassis number 0004 and although the car was produced in 1992, this one was made in March 1991 as a pre-production. In its life it's been raced around and tested on some of the most important tracks in the world as well as spending some time as a British GT car. At 7 foot wide, this thing is huge in person.
Jaguar XJ220 '220 VAN' - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The number plate is not only a reference to the model of the car but also a 1989 Ford Transit van used by TWR for the XJ220 during development. Both van and car are owned by Don Law now who actually bought the XJ220 rights from Jaguar.
Speaking of the van, you’ll want to watch this clip from Top Gear when Richard Hammond surprised everyone in a memorable drag race in the not so standard Transit.
The ‘220 VAN’ is a bit of a cult superstar in certain circles with features on Petrolicious, AutoCar and The Grand Tour for Amazon Prime, where Jeremy Clarkson drag raced it against an equally cool Bugatti EB 110 SuperSport.
I’ll leave you to enjoy the rest of the Jag shots as naturally, we spent a lot of time with it…
Jaguar XJ220 '220 VAN' - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Jaguar XJ220 '220 VAN' - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Jaguar XJ220 '220 VAN' - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Jaguar XJ220 '220 VAN' - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Yes, those are dials on the actual door of the XJ220... - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The Geckota C-05 Chronograph- Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
'Premium Unleaded Fuel' - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The Geckota C-05 Chronograph - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Jaguar XJ220 '220 VAN' - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Jaguar XJ220 '220 VAN' - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Jaguar XJ220 '220 VAN' - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Jaguar XJ220 '220 VAN' - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Jaguar XJ220 '220 VAN' - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Jaguar XJ220 '220 VAN' - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The Geckota C-05 Chronograph - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Jaguar XJ220 '220 VAN' - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Jaguar XJ220 '220 VAN' - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Oh, and if you were wondering what the price of one of these things is. Let's just say back in the 1990s it had an list price right around £400,000...in the 90s.
Caffeine & Machine - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Caffeine & Machine - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
