May 2025 | Issue 778 | Page(s) 3 | Gaynor Cauter
What have we been up to this month? I think our front cover rather gives the game away because, at last, we’ve finally had a chance to see Type 00 for ourselves and all I can say is that the press photos and the zillions of Facebook shots simply don’t do it justice. It is amazing and regardless of whether you think every Jaguar should look like a Mk 2 or an XJ, just remember that this car’s role is simple – to create a whole new generation of Jaguar buyers and secure the company’s future in a very challenging market.
That doesn’t mean you can’t buy one and, as Rawdon Glover emphasises in my face-to-face interview with him in Factory Floor, what company wouldn’t want to hang on to its existing, loyal customers? I expected him to be positive and on message, but I wasn’t quite so prepared for his passionate commitment to Type 00 and his conviction that this is the way to go. I’d be interested to hear what you, our members, think. The big question is, did I like Type 00? Did I love it? You’ll have to turn to Factory Floor to find out!
Back in the real world, we had an excellent day at Stoneleigh with some very positive feedback about our first Spares Day of the year. It was good to see some of the bigger names in motoring retail back with us and talking to the traders, the mood was upbeat. Thank you to all those who supported us on the day.
We have plenty going on this month, including the first of the big XJS 50 celebrations, at Motofest on 31 May and 1 June – see the Calendar for details. Also on 31 May is a one of our favourite Jaguar Breakfast Club events of the year - Supercharged Saturday - at its new venue of the Silverstone Museum. As usual, we will be supporting Mark and the team, before sprinting across country to Coventry to attend Motofest on the Sunday. And don’t forget that Area 3 Cambridgeshire is returning to Sandringham for the Pageant on Sunday 25 May.
We welcome Rob Piper to our team as he takes charge of the X-Type Register. He has not one, but two X-Types, and he is keen to hear from anyone in the Club as keen as he is on these popular saloons. Drop him a line and a few photos to JDC. XTyperegister@hotmail.com.
Another chap who is being kept very busy is Rob Hawkins, our technical expert, whose free Q&A service for members with car problems has really taken off. Rob is particularly good on the modern Jaguars, so if you have an issue, drop him a line at rob.hawkins@jaguardriver.co.uk.
That’s all for this month. Don’t forget to book your stay at Whittlebury Park for National Weekend on 2-3 August and if you have an XJS and want to join the 50th anniversary display, let Nic Drukker know at nic.drukker@jaguardriver.co.uk. See you at one of these events soon!
Gaynor
