"At this point a slight diversion is necessary because
in the early 1970s a couple of 4 valve V12s were built, one for road
use, the other as a potential race unit.
These were modern narrow valve angle designs and the race
version was soon developed to produce a very impressive 630 b.h.p. from
5.3 litres using a standard crankshaft.
The one and only prototype was loaned to TWR in the 1980s
for them to study prior to producing their own 4 valver.
Unbelievably, after they had stripped it and looked it
over they threw it in a skip.
One has to wonder if there is a scrap man somewhere
who recognised what it was and saved it from the furnace.
If so, perhaps it may yet turn up but what value would
be placed on such an engine now?"
Allen Collins, who worked at Lister Jaguar and made 7Litre
crankshafts for the XJS Racing Cars - Le Mans TWR (Wilkenshaw Racing)
came out from England to Australia and was very excited about the specially
made heads.