Classic Jaguars

Ever since they announced it was due to close, I've been trying to get to the Jaguar Heritage Centre. On the site of the old factory its part of the marques collection of old and unusual cars from its past. With housing developments closing in on all sides its days are numbers now and by the summer everything will have been boxed and put in storage. So a job on the outskirts of Birmingham that was only 10 miles from the museum was too good an opportunity to turn down. Having completed the survey work and due a lunch break I took half an hour to wander round the showroom.



There are around 30 cars on display at any one time along with countless engines, trophies and paintings from the companies history. Greeting me at the front door was a 10 year old F1 car.



Looking past this I saw a dream combination, the mighty XJ220 and one of the 1988 Silk Cut Le Mans cars.







The front part of the room was taken up with several concept cars, often seen only in magazines. I have spotted a few at shows in the past but never with such unrestricted access.



Moving back in time to the 50s and 60s there were examples of the E and D Types as well as a good old Mk2.





The most modern car there was a GT3 racer from the previous seasons GT championship. Against the classics with chrome and wire wheels it looked chunky and aggressive.



Another favourite of mine was the XJ-S ETCC car, built and run by TWR it was legendary in the 1980s with its V12 powerplant doing battle with various BMWs across the continent.



Sliding even further back in time we hit the start of the company, Swallow Sidecars. The 1922 motorbike and elegant sidecar paved the way for the rebodied Austin and then onto the 1930s SS cars.







With time getting on I took a stroll around the balcony, there were several of the large paintings I'd happily have in the study if there was space. Looking down it was sad to think this fantastic collection will soon be locked away untilJaguar can find the money to reopen somewhere else.



There are a few more photos here. If you are near Browns Lane then get in a see it before its too late. Its free to get in as well.

Steve.

Share

Wintery Bracknell meet

On saturday afternoon everything was looking fine, the sky was blue and the sun was out, within a few hours the predicted snow fall had arrived and the Bracknell meet looked to be a whiteout. Sunday morning dawned and various text and FB messages came through as people dropped out. We had a date at Nelsons Dinner near Newbury for breakfast with some friends so we ventured out in the Passat and soon realised that the snow wasn't that bad, the roads were clear. Upon leaving Lily dozed off in the back so we decided to chance it and head over to South Hill Park, on arrival it didn't look promising, nobody was there. As we parked we noticed the grins from the Range Rover, Tim and Paul had made it and new member Phil was there in his Golf. Not a write off at all.







We stood around and nattered, Phil wanted advice on electrics and bodywork for his '68 Bay Camper, the right people were there! In the background the screams of the massive crowd sledging in the park.



Being a forward thinking and not wanting to have to carry Lily in the event of blocked roads or other snow related problems, stout boots and a sledge along with hats and scarves and gloves were packed. All perfect for a trip down the hill next to the meet. Tim risked life and limb as well, sadly the sledge is a kiddies one and not really built for those of us with fuller frames.





I then had several runs, each more chaotic and crash filled than the last!







Thin plastic and a kerb to drop off can be a painful combination.







Taking it easy for a bit we continued the technical chat with Phil.



The it was time for a last run, struggling to the summit the intrepid sledger took his life in his own hands and ready for the off. Away down the icey run, over the kerb and.....straight into the metal fencing round the building work. Ouch!



I retired from the sledging world immediately.



Then we made tracks for home.



There wasn't a huge turn out like the last few meetings, but I don't blame everyone else. It was cold and slippery but those that made it enjoyed themselves.

Steve.

Share

Vintage trials and other Brooklands based fun

I decided once again my first motorsport hit of the year had to be the VSCC Winter Trials at Brooklands, tagging along with me for the day was Brooklands virgin Malcolm. After a brief history lesson on the way in we headed straight for the test hill via the coffee stand! There are five trails, all involve circumnavigating a series of cones set out in the various arenas. The test hill is a slope stretching up to the members hill. Starting at 1:8 and increasing through 1:5 to 1:4 at the top its a challenge for pre war cars.





From the test hill you can wander over to the Members Bridge which offers amazing views up and down the banked track.









On route to the next trial we popped into the vast hanger that houses the aircraft display. Dominated by the crashed Wellington bomber that was puilled from Loch Ness.





As well as the trials cars there were lots of other pre 1930s cars parked around the museum grounds.







Moving up on to the banking we watched a few of the cars through their trials as they slid on the damp concrete and wet leaves.







After a bite to eat we wandered round the other buildings of the museum, I've seen the cars before, but its still amazing to see vehicles from the dawn of the sport as well as those from the 60s and 70s.





Then it was time to warm up with chips!



Back on the banking we saw the last of the trials, the temperature was nippy to say the least so we moved round them quickly.











A new addition to the museum is the relocated Chobham Bus collection, being a fan of anything motorised and the fact it was in doors meant we stopped of for a bit.







With the trails almost over we decided to head off home via the next door Mercedes World. For Malcolm a BMW employee it was an uneasy trip! As well as the modern cars in the showroom there are several older classics.











And with that we headed home, warmed by the heated seats of a BMW and having experienced some superb driving by hardy drivers. The rest of the photos are here

Steve.

Share