E, F and GT Register run to Hindmarsh Island

Despite the ominous weather forecast, a healthy line up of Jaguars assembled in the car park of Victoria Hotel at O’Halloran Hill on Saturday 27th May. A few brave people chatted outside; the rest took shelter in the premises for a morning coffee. Around 09:30, a convoy headed south led by Robert Welch with Robyn navigating from the run sheet.

The route (for those who didn’t take a wrong turn) took us past the Happy Valley reservoir, a climb up Chandlers Hill Road, along the ridge then a descent into Clarendon. The weather mostly held but there were a few showers along the way. The journey continued past Kangarilla, Meadows then a nice windy (and windy) drive along Bulls Creek Road until we reached our first destination at Ashbourne where we stopped for morning tea at The Greenman Inn. The proprietors had opened especially and prepared platters of freshly cooked and delicious muffins.

Back on the road, it was a good drive south towards Goolwa and onto Hindmarsh Island as the final destination. The theme of the run was to visit Chris Waldock and Christine Kirby in their Hindmarsh Island home and inspect their impressive car collection. With size restrictions, members broke into two groups and visited separately. Chris and Christine’s array of vehicles evoke envy in any car enthusiast’s mind.

Cars include:

▪ McLaren 720S, a 4 Litre twin turbo V8 which will take you from 0 – 60 mph in about 2.8 seconds;

▪ Lightweight E-Type – the body of which was built in Birmingham from original factory bucks;

▪ E-Type Series 1 4.2 Ltr Roadster, the last of a number of E-Types that Chris rebuilt in conjunction with Allan Blackwell;

▪ Black XKR-S, another V8 with impressive characteristics – supercharged 5.0 Litre;

▪ And a 360 Ferrari.

After the tour, everyone gathered at Islander’s Tavern for lunch. Thanks to Chris and Christine for allowing members to inspect their collection.

By: Peter Thomas