please click the pictures below to see enlargement

The Jaguar XJ-SC, undoubtedly the most beautiful of all the XJS range, celebrated its 20th birthday on 21st July 2002 at Wimpole Hall, Cambridge, England.

Ian and Byron Hissey attended the event representing both their own ownership of this marque and the JDCA of Australia.

The event was held in conjunction with the XJ day, which was a double bonus for Byron as the proud owner of his Series 1 XJ6.

We also took the opportunity to look at other modified XJS's, as we have carried out quite a few modifications to my XJ-SC XJ-SC Modifications

Our trip started firstly Germany, where we explored Frankfurt, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Heidelberg, Wiesbaden, Munich, and Passau, and I have to say for Byron it was a different experience travelling on their autobahns legally at 200 kph, and being overtaken by Porsches, BMWs, Audis, Jaguars etc. On our way down to Munich, we enjoyed a days boat trip down the Rhine, viewing the vineyards on all the hillsides and the many castles that dominate this busy fast flowing river.

In Munich we visited the BMW factory, and while we have owned several BMW's, we were both a little disappointed at the direction they seem to be taking their cars, looking more mainstream like many of the Japanese brands. This may be necessary for survival in today's market, but at least BMW will still have some individual and dynamic special vehicles.

Byron is just finishing his mechanics apprenticeship, and in his TAFE course achieved 12 Distinctions and 7 Credits, so he then took off on a 2-week sailing holiday we gave him in southern Turkey on an 80ft yacht, sleeping under the stars, swimming among the ruins of ancient cities, and a week in Istanbul, exploring the Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Bosphorous and many other stimulating places, all with wide eyed amazement as it is his first real experience of eastern culture. 

Meanwhile, I took a boat trip down the Danube from Passau, where the River Ilz and River Inn join, to Linz in Austria. 

This was magnificent, the Danube winding sedately through the Bavarian forest region, with little hamlets on the slopes and hundreds of bicyclists pedalling along the banks. It is heart wrenching now to see so much of this beautiful countryside underwater and partially destroyed with the recent catastrophic floods

The plan was then to fly off to Copenhagen to visit Ole Sommer and his private 80-car museum. You may remember from my XJ-SC Round Australia article, Ole and his wife Bea came to Australia for the XK120 Commemorative Run from Darwin to Alice Springs in August 2001, in which they drove Ian Cummins' Series 1 E-type. Ole's museum is truly unique, with many fine examples of cars and trucks, including both a Le Mans winning C-type and D-type, which he still competes with in historic events! Unfortunately, due to other commitments occurring, we had to cancel this trip till another time.

I then went on to England to stay with friends, an E-type owner and ex Jaguar employee from the development section in the 60's, who at that time had the onerous task of driving E-types in trials, before its release, to see what would break. I used this time to research family history, meeting some 3rd cousins and visiting villages and homes where my ancestors lived. Quite a feeling to trace family back to the 1500's, and amazing how family traits reoccur throughout the generations, including the same cupboard skeleton reappearing!

Byron then joined me from Turkey for sightseeing in England, a visit to the Jaguar factory, where we saw the new X350, and wonder what the reaction to this new, higher model, will be, and the ever inspiring Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Goodwood, truly amazing, turns on the nostalgia with all the incredible racing machines of the past. Did they really race at 180 mph on those 4" wide cross ply tyres, with no seat belt, just goggles and leather cap - mind-blowing.

WHAT   A   CELEBRATION 

The main reason for my trip to England was for the 20th birthday celebrations of the magnificent XJ-SC.

The all important day was held at Wimpole Hall, just outside Cambridge, and what a day it was - 

                                                                             what a celebration!

We set off by train from Lymington in the South amid sunshine, but 4 hours later on arrival north, the sky was overcast with a chill wind blowing, and Byron and I only in shirtsleeves! 

But with a smile from the Gods, not a drop of rain all day. As the XJ-SC 20th birthday celebration was held in conjunction with the XJ day, the parade and display in front of the Wimpole Hall consisted of XK120, XJ6, XJ12, XJC, E-type, XJS, XJ-SC and an XJ220.

Inspiring walking past all the XJ's, E-types, XK's, XJS's, including Le Mans, TWR's, XJRS's, Listers, Linx etc to the 70 odd XJ-SC's all arranged in the central position. There was Princess Diana's XJ-SC, XJ-SC's from Netherlands and Germany, the 3 cars and families that had travelled from Belgium, XJ-SC's and families from all over Britain, beautiful Concours cars to everyday transport XJ-SC's.

Not sure where the time went, talking to other owners about all things Jaguar, with not a moment to spare, next thing it's presentation time, every XJ-SC received a Certificate, Jaguar Cars "Car of the Day", Best Number Plate, Distance Travelled, both for cars and people, (which Paul Phillips from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Ian and Byron Hissey from Sydney, Australia won), best dressed etc. 

And of course John Bleasdale, who I think should be honorary named "Sir Bleasie", received special recognition from John Maries Exec Director of Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, whole heartily cheered by everyone there.

John Mallaby 1788-1867 Healey Church

Another week of sightseeing around southern England and London, then Byron, somewhat matured by the experience, headed home.

I spent another week finishing some more family research, finding Hissey family graves back to 1558, quite moving all this discovering. When I found the farm that my great-grandfather was brought up on, and the house he lived in with the original rose bush from which he brought cuttings to Australia in 1840, and which now grow at our house, I was overwhelmed.

On my mother's side, I found friendship with a long distant cousin John and Elizabeth, exploring the villages and farm areas of the Yorkshire Dales, visiting family graves back to the early 1700's.

Longworth Church - John Hissey 1558 and family graves

Hissey family farmhouse Buttermere

Buttermere Church

After all this excitement in England, it was time to head off to Thailand for some quiet time visiting temples and a 2 day boat cruise down the Praya River from Arathuya to Bangkok, before also heading home, to face the music from my wonderful, long suffering and understanding wife Jan and young teenage daughter April.

Some years ago whilst searching through the microfilms in the archives at JDHT. I discovered that 5 Cabriolet's were built in1982. The first, Vin number 108026, body No 1 - in Indigo Blue, & was built on the 28th of June & dispatched to Jaguar Engineering dept on 21st October 1982. 

Also 2 right hand drive cars went to North America on the same day, & a third to America on 11th November.

                                    So the seed was set. Let's have a celebration !

After some 18 months of planning Sue and I left Grimsby, on a very wet Saturday morning bound for Wimpole hall.

The X300 Executive bulging at the seams with gazebos, posts, signs, chairs and all the paraphernalia required to put on a show. Plus goodies for 80 goodie bags, WOOPS 85 cars pre booked (don't worry every body said you will be lucky to get 20.) Oh ye of little faith.

Even a spare set of 4 original 1986 silencers marked BLC were in there somewhere, to be eventually fitted to the earliest surviving Cabriolet VIN No 111727. Owned by chief parking attendant KEV. By the time we had had breakfast and moved on towards the A1M the rain had been left behind. We arrived at Wimpole just on 12 to find the XJ register busily supping tea in the tearooms.

Best Ladies Car

No sign of Kev & Dee, better make a start marking out the field. With a piece of string knotted at every Mtr and a 30 Mtr tape we set about making out the semi circles, & segmenting them (Thanks for help Nita) Still no sign of Kev and Dee. And it's now about 2 o'clock. I'll just go and see Trevor and find out about the trestle tables, oh here they are, Kev & Dee, that is not the trestle tables.

We have been driving around for 2 hours trying to find this place. 

                 _ _ _ _ _ _ Look at those big black clouds, better get at least one gazebo up just in case. Here comes the rain, well at least it will test it. Fine, back to the semi circles. By 6 o'clock we had done all we could for today. 

Best Ladies Car Award

Off to the Dolphin in St Ives, just in time to see the XJ Register leaving for their night out. Sue & I having eaten, we set about making up the goodie bags. 20 done time for bed early start in the morning. No need for the alarm call at six, by 05:15 I'm ringing the bell for some milk, for the first cuppa of the day. Or so I thought, no teabags shouts Sue back to the night porter. No time to wait for cooked breakfast got to get on.

I bet there will be someone, waiting to get in. no way says Sue. Lo and behold two traders and a Cabriolet parked on the gravel out side the Hall. Where do you want us mate? Decision time no sign of Trevor, over by the fence I think, and you can be middle of the second row (D262 LFX please get in touch). Can't do any more until we get the tables (same ones as referred to yesterday).

Car of the Day

Plan B, that piece of wood I had cut and painted Jaguar Racing Green, that just happens to fit on top of the folding seats will double up as a table, now we can set up HQ and start registering the cars and giving out the goodie bags, thanks Kerry.

By 10-30 I knew we had a success in the making, 23 Cabriolet's were already in position, including one from the Netherlands & one from Germany. Yes there are Trophies but am still waiting for the tables. There's more coming your way, shouts Kev; this batch contained three out of the four from Belgium. Never did find out what happened to Walter. But where are Diana's & the last XJ-SC built? Well they have definitely left York, says Julia (JDHT)

Car of the Day Award

Morning Ken you wouldn't have a spare table would you, yes John I've brought you one, great, now Sue can get set up, but still no trophy table. Still we don't need that till 15:15.so let's not panic.

Hi are you John Bleasdale? I'm Ian Hissey from Australia, & this is my son Byron, & I'm Paul from Fort Lauderdale brought some parts for one of your guys.

Excuse me one min the tables have arrived, Now SUE & DEE can get the Trophies on display, and here comes Last of the Line VIN No148594, where is the Diana car? Don't know he left long before me should be here. Hi Ian hi Paul sorry about that thanks for coming, have a goodie bag.

Overseas Award

Time for a head count, YES, we have passed to 40 mark and beaten Donnington. The rest is History. With all the officials (see awards table) now on site we can start looking for winners, & I can start giving away a few prizes, glad you liked the Champer's JAN. .836.

Brian Ekin kindly volunteered to take photos that's the guy you saw periodically up and down the stepladders. How we doing Kev? I can squeeze a few more in here then start on row 5.

Soon we had passed 60, and here at last was the Diana car. Yes, I can reverse in there no problem. Thank you, you've made my day 65 cars and 4 owners minus cars, well two can be excused. Let's face it we don't like them getting wet.

Earliest Car Award

I would like to thank all that supported me in putting on the event special thanks to David Manners & JDHT for the Goodies for the Goodie Bags, and to all of you (who made it happen) the Cabriolet Register Members. And of course my wife SUE. Thanks for making Bleasie's dream come true.

STOP PRESS.
Thanks to Tony Pazianti. PTV 574 who eventually made it after every one had gone home.

Most Original Registration

A Big Thankyou

1) I went round looking for cars with obvious demerits - rust spots, distorted rubbers etc - and so eliminated a few.

2) I then went round looking for cars that were nicely presented on the day - i.e. washed and with painted tyres. This eliminated a few more.

3) Finally, I stared at the remaining cars and tried to get one that reminded me of how they used to look as I saw them around the factory. This eliminated cars with non-standard wheels and those cars that had been fitted with bonnet leapers.

Bear in mind that I was not conducting a concours as such and did not examine mechanicals or under the bonnet or in the boot. I even allowed "LOE" to get away with whatever (if he had any) problems with the hood, because as presented, the hood was under a neat and tidy tonneau.

Click Here

 for more info

return to International Cabriolet Register

Personal Index