Classic Jaguar

This issue is notably ‘XK8 heavy’. I could claim to have planned it, but in reality, that’s how the chips fell. Richard Gunn tells the story of the ‘Die Another Day’ James Bond XKR whilst Peter Simpson continues the spy theme by going on tour in the Austin Powers XK8 ‘Goldmember’ Shaguar, taking in a few laps of Goodwood enroute. Obviously influenced by the lure of circuit tarmac, he lends his Daughter, Emma, his rather less outlandishly liveried XK8 to experience track driving for the first time. My problem is, as the model approaches three decades old, I still think of it as modern and relatively new (it’s an age thing!). In reality with the escalation in XJS values, it has truly become the sporting entry level Jaguar. Do you…

CKL DEVELOPMENTS Have been named ‘2022 Specialist of the Year’ against stiff multimarque opposition at the Octane magazine Historic Motoring Awards. The accolade was accepted by the eponymous founder, Chris Keith-Lucas, accompanied by Managing Directors Tim Mason and Mark Hews. The glittering event was held at The Londoner Hotel, and we trust that they will be fully recovered from the celebrations in time for the next season… JULIAN BARRATT Friend of the magazine and incidentally CEO of SNG Barratt, was the joint winner of the Classic Car Ambassador of the Year award. Also presented at the Octane Historic Motoring Awards 2022 (in association with Classic Insurance Services). There were five contenders in the category including Julian, the other joint winner being James Wood. The nominees were recognised as “individuals in…

MIKE HAWTHORN GOODWOOD TRACKDAY If you have been inspired by Peter Simpson’s features on pages 28 and 36, you are in luck! Michael Ballard, organiser of the Farnham Grand Prix and many other prestige events has arranged the ’Mike Hawthorn Memorial Track Day’, taking place on Wednesday 5th July 2023, at the prestigious Goodwood Circuit. This is to commemorate Mike's 1st GP win, exactly 70 years to the day after the event. He later went on to win the 1955 Le Mans 24hr race for Jaguar and became Britain’s first F1 World Champion in 1958. The event is open to any roadworthy or race eligible motorcar, be that modern, classic or replica, subject to a 98 decibel noise limit. Owners of all marques are welcome to participate. In order to…

It’s personally upsetting to me to view Mike Freeman’s superbly detailed 6.0 XJS coupe – I’m overcome with a sense of failure that my own 6.0 convertible resides at home in a rather less than complete state. All the more galling, because Mike has owned his car for less years and claims little mechanical knowledge prior to his restoration adventure - and I’m supposed to know about these things! MIKE’S BACK STORY Mike qualified as a sound engineer, but after a while he realised that working in a windowless box was not his thing (which seems to be the fate of the average sound technologist) and craved a more outdoor based pursuit. A career handbrake turn occurred as the role of ‘Length Inspector’ for the Canal and River Trust piqued…

Twenty years ago, the 20th official James Bond movie, Die Another Day, was at cinemas across the world. Pierce Brosnan’s fourth (and, as it turned out, final) adventure as 007 saw him in a brand new Aston Martin for the first time; his previous outings had only included the classic DB5 thanks to a deal with BMW that dictated its saloons and sports cars would be the main star cars. But for Die Another Day, the German firm had departed, possibly smarting that all most people talked about anyway was the revival of the DB5 for the first time since Sean Connery’s day. BMW’s replacement was Ford, and the new kid on the block was keen to showcase its diverse range on the big screen. As the Blue Oval owned…

Driving in a dynamic fashion on public roads is a foolhardy pursuit. There are other vehicles, pedestrians and animals to consider let alone speed limits. Few have access to a private airfield, so is there be a safe environment for those who yearn to let loose, craving the invigorating freedom of speed in which to develop skills and understanding for the handling capabilities of their Jaguar? You may have been aware of trackdays, assuming them to be the preserve of the seasoned track god, thus evoking feelings of inferiority sufficient to dissuade a potential participant through the risk of personal embarrassment. However, novicefriendly events do exist and this feature recounts the experience of not just a trackday novice but that of Emma, a 27-year-old female unaccustomed to most forms of…