The Walkie Talkie

The Walkie Talkie melted my Jag! Light reflected from under-construction City skyscraper buckles bodywork and mirror of businessman's car

• Sunlight reflected from skyscraper is causing heat damage to cars beneath
• Several panels of a Jaguar XJ had buckled in the glare
• Other drivers say their vehicles have wilted in the beam of light

A £200million skyscraper has had an undeniably dazzling effect on passers-by – but not, unfortunately, the one intended by its architect.

20 Fenchurch Street, better known as the Walkie Talkie due to its distinctive shape, is reflecting blinding rays of light onto the street below, damaging the panels and wing mirror of a Jaguar XJ.

The car belongs to Martin Lindsay, the director of a tiling company, who parked his Jaguar in central London's Eastcheap on Thursday afternoon.

He said he is amazed such a thing could happen.

'They’re going to have to think of something. I’m gutted. How can they let this continue?' he told City A.M.

The car was in the ray for just an hour but the panels were buckled and there was reportedly a smell of burning plastic.