Innholdsfortegnelse for Dec/Jan 2023 i Classic Jaguar

(Well sometimes) In the last issue, reader Anthony Wainright wrote in to enquire as to why binders for this hallowed publication were not available? I was as shocked as he was, so mobilised the massed forces of Kelsey Media, resulting in the hand tooled product you see pictured right. Now you can keep your treasured back issues (probably the ones prior to me taking over the editorship) in pristine condition for the edification of future generations. They cost an astonishing £10.95 and will house any twelve issues. Use the link shop.kelsey.co.uk/product/classic-jaguar-magazine-binder to secure this strictly unlimited edition creation, I promise they are also unsigned and unnumbered… Even more surprising was the discovery that someone actually reads my ‘Backchat’ ramblings – Iassumed you would have all gone home before reaching page…

In February of this year the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust (JDHT) were approached by the Leamington History Group who asked if they would support having a Blue Plaque fixed to the birthplace in Leamington Spa of Jaguar’s Chief Engineer, William Heynes. Plaque layout and wording had to be sorted, with Leamington believing ‘less is more’ and a proof agreed with the company that produces them. All this took several months elapsed time which worked in the JDHT’s favour as the planned date ended up being late September, after their big Swallow Centenary celebrations in Gaydon and Blackpool, at which two more plaque unveilings were planned. As with the others, they ordered a pair of plaques one to go on the w all a ndoneto g ointo t hearchi ve s.…

Kev’s parents came to Coventry in the late 50’s where his dad started work at Daimler on development of the SP250 ‘Dart’. With dad also working on cars at home Kev was introduced to vehicle repairs when he was 8 years old. He restored a Triumph Spitfire at the age of 12 and started work at 13 with a garage Saturday job. It was here that he drove his first Jaguar (a 3.4 S-type) into the workshop. This is where his love for the brand started. Having seen many iconic E- types around Coventry and with some experience of how a car works, upon leaving school in 1974 he was lucky enough to be accepted for a position at Jaguar Cars as a technical apprentice. In those days the training…

As the show season reaches an end for 2022, we can look back on a busy year, and having already reported on early events I shall pick up from mid-June when we returned from Shetland to take part in the inaugural Sir Jackie Stewart Classic, which proved to be spectacular. I was given special access to the ‘Drivers Club’ where I found myself mingling with some of my motoring heroes. In July, a previous engagement prevented me from taking up a VIP invitation to attend the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Beaulieu Motor Museum, however, David Sculthorpe of Castrol Classic Oils was accepted as my nominee, and he assured me that he had a thoroughly enjoyable day. The Jaguar Drivers Club held their national day at Wappenbury Hall, and…

Things were going great, the rust had been eradicated, the new painted internals were looking like a work of art, it was going to plan! We were on track to getting a lot of the wish list completed and a roadworthy car ready for 2022, until a very key component decided to make things interesting - the engine. It is fair to say that the engines in XJ40 are fantastic pieces of engineering, and the 4.0 is a hardworking, reliable, refined unit. They don’t tend to go wrong. We knew that the valve stem oil seals on mine were needing attention, it’s a very common thing on 4.0, many of you may be familiar with that puff of smoke on first start up, and it’s no big issue that they…

The very popular monthly Jaguar Breakfast Club normally takes place at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, but for October it was an ‘away day’ at JLR Classic Works, Coventry, where Jaguar Classic kindly extended an invitation, free of charge, to visit their impressive facility. It always adds interest to build events around a theme and for this visit the Breakfast Club chose the 25th anniversary of the X308 XJ, with a line of these 4-litre V8s forming the centrepiece display outside the main entrance to Classic Works. A healthy range of all other Jaguar models provided a broad coverage of the marque and a treat for the eye of the enthusiast. JLR laid on two catering vans serving top-quality breakfast rolls and speedy service for those enjoying the outside display…

I recently had a week of complete and utterly striking contrast. Firstly, attending The Classic at Silverstone - an incredible weekend as ever and the UK’s biggest celebration of historic. It was great to see Jaguars from almost every era out on track, racing hard and scooping trophies. We were honoured by a terrific display of competition Jaguars from Swallows Racing and the prototype XJR-15 ‘R9R’ of Andrew Maynard graced our display and proved to be as big a crowd pleaser as ever. JEC members could enjoy all the action from our fantastic display parking area on the banking overlooking Woodcote Corner. The location is so close to the action, that you can even sit in the front of your own car on the club stand and get a view…

Champion magazine’s glee with Jim Clark’s 1965 victory at Indianapolis knew no bounds. Boivent Duffar’s depiction of the 22-year old’s chilling experience that took him to his first race with D-type TKF9 when had had to abandon his bétaillère en transport (farm-lorry) for his voiture de course. Clark sped through a frosty night into the record books. At Full Sutton, near Pocklington in the East Riding of Yorkshire, he was the first sports car driver to average 100mph on a British circuit. The Border Reivers didn’t run to a transporter, so the D-type had been loaded on to Clark’s truck. April 1958 was unusually cold, so farm manager Bill Campbell had drained its radiator. Unfortunately, somebody had turned the taps back again so, when it came to refilling, he turned…

Held over the weekend of 26th-28th August, in comparison with previous years, there were fewer examples of our favourite marque to witness in competition, but this was more than made up for by the impressive club displays on the banking. In addition, there were demonstration runs of such icons as the LeMans winning XJR to delight the eyes (and ears!) There were four events relevant to our sensibilities: The BRDC 500 featured the amazing four rear wheel SS100 (78) of John Burton; the RAC TT (pre ’63) was the preserve of early specification E-types, whilst the Classic GTs (pre’66) showcased the more modified later examples. The RAC Woodcote & Stirling Moss Trophy contained many C & D-types, but the XK140 Gomm Special (84) and the Jaguar Alton (115) were unusual additions.…

Having stirred a nest of hornets in my last ‘Backchat’ (see Letters, page 42), I thought I’d tone it down a bit and reflect on exactly what it means to be the editor of Classic Jaguar. Things like – how do you italicise a full stop? The role has enabled me to meet and work with a lot of interesting people, visit their premises, drive their cars, and squander their petrol. When I glance at page 89, I realise that all those covers, and many of the features enclosed, are ‘mine’. In a recent conversation with the previous editor, Paul Guinness, (yes, he still talks to me) he pointed out: “only seven issues to go and you’ll be the longest standing CJ editor” – food for thought. At least I’ve…

SNG BARRATT-IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS Whilst large, visible, and shiny things such as body panels, trim and chrome work can attract the eye and headlines, where would we be without the myriad small brackets, shims and fastenings? They are low on volume and profit, high on development cost, but vital to complete a restoration or refurbishment. The accompanying images (with part numbers) give just a miniscule flavour of the extent of SNGBs vast range. We are lucky that companies such as SNGB utilise new technologies and their ingenuity to fill the void and urge you to visit their website to search for all your tiny requirements – and of course, the larger ones! www.sngbarratt.com; 01746 765432 BETTER CAR LIGHTING – MORE LITTLE THINGS We visited BCL in the last issue…

It’s hot outside. It’s even hotter inside. My aching muscles are screaming for spinach like a weary Popeye beaten into submission. I’m back in 1935 driving a vehicle that is the epitome of sleekness and modernity that surely should be as breezy to manoeuvre as the period adverts would have claimed. In this age of power steering, anti-lock brakes and computer control have we all gone soft or were cars really this demanding back in the day? Of course, we must make allowances for our ages and attendant stiffness from lack of use, although as the day wears on and we both loosen up I begin to get the measure of this beautiful machine, with the car’s upper hand becoming less domineering. So how was I so lucky to take…

Or send by post to: The Editor, Classic Jaguar, Kelsey Publishing Ltd, The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 6AL Some like it Hot It was the first time I’d ever taken my E-type aboard. But firstly, I’ll share how I am fortunate to have this beautiful red roadster, nicknamed ‘HOT’ (guess why); My husband loves collecting cars and was apparently buying this at an executor’s sale. Some of his colleagues (rivals?) also wanted to purchase it, so he pleaded with them to allow him the privilege as it was to be a surprise wedding present for his wife to be (me!). It had not been driven for over 20 years, so it was recommissioned, me thinking it was his car - until his lovely colleagues dropped…

I am writing this article at the beginning of October, which just goes to show you the lead time between an article being written and the date of publication. Normally, I pound away, briefly read it and put it away for a week before coming back to it and, with a great intake of breath, say to myself “Did I really write that?” This is no exception to the rule, so here we go: The first car on my list is a very wellprepared Mk VII which has the benefit Goodwood Revival history and indeed was pedaled by none other than Bob Tullius (of Group 44 fame) in the St Mary’s Trophy of 2001. It raced at Goodwood a few times, but has been in storage ever since, so will…