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This page is dedicated to bringing our members news, reports and visuals on many of our XK Club past events.  If you have any comments about an event that we have held we would be happy to hear your comments.

Events Reports

For information and updates on this section please email Abigail.

abigail@xkclub.com

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This summer, the highways and byways of the UK were alive to the roaring of classic Jaguars as over 60 stunning XK 120s, 140s and 150s embarked on a grand tour of England and Wales.

 

The XK60 Diamond Tour saw cars from four continents and 14 countries including the UK, Australia, the USA, Switzerland and South Africa join together to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Jaguar XK 120 Super Sports.

 

The newly devised and meticulously planned routes took the intrepid group from the unspoilt wilderness of the Yorkshire dales via the rolling Cotswolds, through and around the stunning scenery of mid- and South Wales, to the event’s climax at the mammoth XK60 celebrations at historic Goodwood Motor Circuit, West Sussex.

 

Despite all of the participating vehicles being over 50 years old (and some of them in their 60th year) there was no shortage of motoring prowess on show. Indeed, each owner fully embraced the XK Club’s motto that these cars were designed to be driven and not simply admired, as they put their XKs through their paces on tough driving routes and even a visit to an unknown, 2-mile sprint course in Wales.

Yet, it was not just the motors that were put to the test, as the touring party also tackled a mixture of complex and fun driving challenges that entwined, twisted and tested everyone’s sense of direction. A great many of these runs saw the XKs traverse some of the most scenic parts of the UK. Foremost among these expeditions was a full day’s drive which explored the haunting scenery of the Black Mountains and a testing navigation run which saw the tour split into two 30-strong groups that criss-crossed to form a 30 mile long series of figures of eight formations in the heart of the Cotswold countryside.

 

In the true spirit of XK adventure, perhaps the most memorable moment of the two weeks occurred during the tour’s final, Goodwood-bound, leg when the group was treated to an especially arranged visit to a private World War I airfield in Gloucestershire. Here they experienced a breath-taking aerobatic display by the world-famous Guinot Team and two especially brave Club members even took to the air themselves for an adrenalin-pumping wing-walking experience.

 

Sixty years on from the launch of the Jaguar XK 120, it is unlikely that even the great Sir William Lyons could have predicted the esteem in which his stylish production sports car would still be held. Of course, the XK was always more than a visually pleasing vehicle; it boasted an incredibly powerful XK engine and was superbly engineered: it is as much for those qualities as for its undoubted beauty that the car is appreciated today. The XK60 Tour set about proving that the passage time has not diminished these cars' ability to travel long distances with complete reliability.

 

The XK60 Diamond Tour paid a fitting homage to the Jaguar XK. While travelling over 1000 miles from Yorkshire to Goodwood, the 60 crews turned heads, travelled along unspoilt routes, took to the race track, visited some of the UK’s finest buildings and partied in style. Exuberant and exciting, each person leaving the tour took with them great memories and new friends, and each was able to say that, “I was one of the 60 on the tour that celebrated XK60”.

 

“Lots of fun and great driving.” Goy Feltes and Katinka Sterkman, Luxembourg

 

“Great organisation, enjoyable routes, super places to stay and people to meet ... ‘fantastic’”. Les Brown and Jan Boyd, UK

 

“The tour really hit the spot. We could just ‘take our brain out’ and know that every last detail was organised. John and Elaine Clarke, UK

 

“Taking our XK150 to the UK was a once in a lifetime trip for us and one which we will remember fondly” Corrie and Ian Maitland, Australia

 

“An impressive array of cars, good hotels and a super group of people from so many countries...  It was party night very night! The visit to Bill Heynes’ old home for tea and to see some of his Jaguar artefacts was outstanding.”  Nigel and Janet Randall, UK

 

“One of the most memorable XK events ever, supported by so many from all over the world. The programme was diverse and varied - from the visit to the Jaguar Factory and Wappenbury Hall to Abbey-Cwm-Hir and Wing Walking, to say nothing of the Summer Ball at Goodwood House. It was action packed and a great credit to yourselves...” Alan Harris and Mary Roberts, UK

Praise for the

XK60 Diamond Tour

 

To ensure that the talk was not all of cars, the itinerary also included a host of super summer treats including an exhibition of dance by the Covent Garden Minuet Company, who delighted all by appearing in full eighteenth-century; a supper and private viewing at Ripley Castle, North Yorkshire; a fun and fabulous fifties party at the chic St. David’s Hotel, Cardiff and a headline gala dinner in the majestic surroundings of Cardiff’s National Museum and Art Gallery where the XK60 tourers were treated to an acoustically-perfect and emotionally-stirring performance by the Morriston Phoenix Male Voice Choir.
However, the XK60 Diamond Tour was about more than just great driving; it was also liberally sprinkled with exclusive events and exciting activities, many of which recalled Jaguar's unique heritage. Among Jaguar-themed highlights was a private talk by Giles Taylor, a senior member of the Jaguar design team at Castle Bromwich; an invitation to the former home of Jaguar’s Bill Heynes's and a visit to Wappenbury Hall, the long-term residence of Jaguar’s illustrious founder, Sir William Lyons.

July 28 - August 7, 2008: XK60 Diamond Tour