New Members Story

My love for Jaguars came about when the XJ Series 1 was introduced to the Australian market [1968]. What a beautiful looking vehicle it was, but in my opinion, something was amiss, and I couldn’t put my finger on it. Then in 1973, the Series 2 came out, and BANG!! There it was…

Jaguar had raised the front bumper and in my mind, and, still today, perfection. I still to this day remember in 1984, riding my then, brand new Harley Davidson down from Mt Lofty, through to Blackwood and caught up with a S2 XJ6 (Arctic white, with chrome spoked rims; still to this day I remember). I had ample times to overtake, but couldn’t. I was mesmerised by how this graceful lady just swept silently around steep corners and sharp turns with seemingly no effort. That’s when I said to myself, I NEED ONE OF THESE.

So in 1989, just by chance, I managed to acquire a 1974 Daimler Vanden Plas as a wreck [totally blown motor] and said, “Here we go”, let’s see what can be achieved.

To my readers, I was a committed American enthusiast at the time, with my Harley and owning a 68 HK Monaro, with a 307 Chev engine [I’m reaching for the tissues as I write, let’s not go there] and decided; let’s throw a 400cc Chev motor, that was originally planned for a speed boat, in the Daimler. Done deal, 6.6 litre engine, with a tricked up 350 Turbo Hydromatic transmission. Perfection. The car passed all of Regency Park Road Transport certifications, and on the road, we go, the best suspension and braking system I have ever driven. In that time frame a stainless-steel exhaust system and mufflers were fitted, [which to this day are still in great condition] a new vinyl roof and the interior woodwork stripped and replenished with genuine walnut burr bought from an importer down at Port Adelaide.

Well, this is where it all stopped, having a young family growing up, at the time no such thing as the internet to garnish information, the front rack and pinion leaking like a sieve, and the then pet dog eating the back driver’s side door. (That’s a story for another time). I had, had enough and put the dear old girl under covers in the garage to be looked at, for a later time.

Well then, talk about Rip Van Winkle. 20 years flew past in a blink of an eye, and here we are in 2020. The Pandemic!

Here we are all stuck at home, lets pull the Daimler out into the sunshine! The first thing to happen, our daughter was visiting, who was at that time 31, with her own family, jumps in the back seat, closes the door and sits there for a few minutes, only to emerge and say PIZZA! It smells exactly the same as it did when I was ten years old, PIZZA! I told her to get out, and go home.

Anyhow, the last three years have been devoted to totally restoring all the mechanics possible (engine, trans, suspension, brakes, and totally the rear end). What’s left to do?

17-inch rims and a decent bottom paint job. That’s when myself and my wife Teresa, who has supported my crazy ideas and childlike tantrums [I get that from my daughter] for the last 35 years, dealing with the Daimler, decided to try and join the SA Jaguar Club, waiting for rocks to be thrown my way for having a LUMP! [Can you believe it? they’re called Lumps! didn’t know that until 2020]. I classify the Daimler as a HYBRID! Not an uncouth Lump! But Bob and Daff Charman welcomed us with open arms into the club. We may be new to the club, but have enjoyed attending the monthly XJ register of the club, with everyone having a fantastic time. (Should have been involved 20 years ago!). I have even been able to have the dear old Harley registered under historic registration with the club. My final words…..to be an owner of a Jaguar, no matter what year, model or hybrid is an immense privilege, and in my own situation, to be able to repair, restore, and create with my own hands, my Daimler, that’s what puts a smile on my dial.

Cheers Dave Bradley. Editor: What a fantastic story. There are a number of Jaguars running around with V8’s in them, and they are all very much part of the club. Welcome aboard.