XK Club Newsletter
Welcome to August Edition of the XK Club Newsletter
Newsletter Information
The XK Newsletter is the official bi-monthly newsletter of the Jaguar XK Club (sent approx. 15th day of even months - February, April, etc). It’s totally free of charge and you do not need to be a Club member to receive it – simply register on our website: www.xkclub.com
Non-Club registrants: we promise that we will not share your information with any third party, or contact you for any other purpose than to send the XK Newsletter.
Should you wish to unsubscribe at anytime, simply click the unsubscribe link on your latest Newsletter email or contact abigail@xkclub.com
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Jaguar XK Club
PO Box 2,
Tenbury Wells,
Worcestershire,
WR15 8XX, UK,
Tel: +44 (0)1584 781588
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More about the XK Club
If you are not already a full member of the Jaguar XK Club, why not look at some of the benefits of membership. In addition to this rather wonderful newsletter, these include:
The XK Gazette
The XK Gazette is the official magazine of the Jaguar XK Club; produced monthly, it is a 44-page, professionally produced, XK extravaganza. Stories cover all aspects of XK ownership including restoration, technical, originality, racing, events, your questions and a whole lot more.
Specialist Discounts
Club members benefit from discounts from many of the world’s leading Classic Jaguar and XK Specialists: discounts on parts, servicing, restoration services, insurance, etc). These can easily save you the cost of annual subscription.
Events Worldwide
The XK Club has members in over 40 countries worldwide and boasts an expanding international events’ calendar. This is our 10th anniversary year; we hope you will be able to join us to celebrate!
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Technical Assistance/Advice
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Next Issue Out: 15th October
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Technical Question: Suspended Animation
In this issue:
It has been a hectic few weeks since our last edition. Among a plethora of activities, the XK Club has held its tenth birthday celebrations. We were delighted that Club Weekend was able to proceed undeterred despite the UK being deluged with rain. There is more information on the event, which henceforth perhaps should be known as the XK Club Weekend Regatta, below.
The Club has also grabbed headlines with the announcement of its plans for the XK60 Diamond Weekend (8-10 August, 2008) which will mark the 60th anniversary of the Jaguar XK and the brilliant XK engine. This high-profile event will take place across two fabulous locations - historic Goodwod Circuit and, in association with the JEC, at beautiful Cowdray Park.
Our aim is to achieve the biggest gathering of classic XK 120s, 140s and 150s ever! 600 to celebrate 60! We hope you will be part of it!
***XK60: The Low Down *** XK Club Weekend *** Technical Tips ***
Diamond Geezers!
Be part of XK60! The biggest event celebrating the 2008 Diamond Anniversary of the Jaguar XK sports (XK 120s, 140s, 150s) and the XK engine (which powered such cars as the E-type, Mark 2 Saloons and XJ6s).
So what is happening at XK60?
XK60 Weekend at Goodwood & Cowdray Park: 8, 9,
10 August 2008
This is it! The main event! XK60 will be staged across three days and two fabulous locations: Goodwood, the home of British historic motor sport, and nearby Cowdray Park.
The feature-packed programme includes track action, displays, demonstrations, live music, exhibitors and a Jaguar auction by Bonhams.
The aim is to achieve the largest gathering of Jaguar XK 120s, 140s and 150s ever! Over 600 of Jaguar’s classic production sports cars, including many rare examples, is the aim.
Quite simply, its the must-do Jaguar event of the decade!
Tickets
XK60 Friday @ Goodwood Ticket £30.00
XK60 Saturday @ Goodwood Ticket £40.00
XK60 Sunday @ Cowdray ParkTicket £20.00
XK60 Diamond Ball: Saturday 9 August 2008
Sparkling Charity Ball. Celebrating the style, sophistications & optimism of the Jaguar XK story. Tickets cost £125 per person including canapé, champagne, 3-course dinner & wine).
XK60 Weekend at Bailiffscourt Hotel Package: The ultimate, we have thought of everything, pampering weekend. We provide the tickets to XK60 at Goodwood & Cowdray Park (all 3 days), tickets to the Diamond Ball, superb accommodation, stated meals and even an evening at Chichester Theatre. Ideal for those who want to fly in to luxury or as an indulgent bolt-on to the XK60 Diamond Tour.
Let us take the strain! Whether you have been on the Tour with us, are just attending the festival weekend at Goodwood & Cowdray Park or are flying in from abroad to be part of the spectacle, we can book the hotels, provide the event tickets and lay-on the entertainment with this great selection of Weekend Stay & Play packages or a simple agent-assisted booking option.
XK60 Weekend Tickets & Hotel Option
Further packages to suit all pockets to be announced soon - to include 4-nights’ hotel accommodation and breakfast, arrival evening dinner at the hotel, tickets to XK60 at Goodwood & Cowdray Park (all 3 days). Optional Ball tickets and coach travel to and from Goodwood House plus other activities and extras.
Please contact the XK Office events@xkclub.com +44 (0)1584781588) for more information/prices/assistance on any of the above tours. Alternatively, visit the dedicated website www.xk60.com.
XK60 Agent Assisted Booking Option
If you are attending XK60 at Goodwood and/or Cowdray and simply want to find a local hotel for all or part of the time, contact Fiona Bayne on tel: +44 (0)1258 839124, email: fiona.bayne@protravel.com or Paul Abadjian on tel: +44 (0)1258 837276, email: paul.abadjian@protravel.com. Rooms are available from £70 per room.
The XK Club Patron is evergreen racing legend Sir Stirling Moss.
Who Do You Think You Are? Stirling Moss
Now in his late 70s Sir Stirling is as much in demand as ever. In fact, he was the centre of attention at the Goodwood Festival of Speed when he was mobbed by fans wearing a new T-shirt emblazoned with the famous phrase "Who do you think you are? Stirling Moss".
Moss declared himself to be highly amused by the cheeky top and even his wife, Lady Susie got in on the act! She was spotted wearing one herself as she accompanied her husband around the event.
The third of Philip Porter’s “Stirling Moss Scrapbook” series will be launched at the Goodwood Revival (August 31-September 2). The Stirling Moss Scrapbook 1929 – 1954 delves deeply into the Moss family archives and Moss’s meticulously-kept press scrapbooks, to recreate the story of his childhood and early career – those years before he achieved the very heights of international fame.
It is all in this book - Moss’s meteoric rise through the junior ranks with the little 500s, his big break with a borrowed Jaguar XK 120, the highs and lows with HWM, the successes with Jaguar in XKs, C-types and D-types, the frustrating years when he put patriotism first and soldiered on with inadequate GP machinery and, finally, the year when he achieved worldwide success in Formula 1 – 1954.
XK Club Weekend (21 - 22 July): Rain Doesn't Stop Play
I don’t know if the XK Club has done something in particular to annoy St. Swithan, but I think it started raining sometime back in June and the 24 hours prior to Club Weekend saw some of the most persistent downpours the UK has ever seen. The rain simply didn’t quit. Rivers rose, new rivers were formed and storm drains overflowed. It’s rumoured that someone, somewhere spotted an ark!
Patron Watch: Stirling Moss
Q: I have an XK140 DHC which now needs an overhaul of the front suspension. I am going to change the swivel joints, track rod ends and all the suspension bushes. I am wondering whether to fit polybushes instead of the original Metalastik ones. What do you think?
A: We would strongly recommend replacing the original Metalastik bushes with the polybushes, as they offer several major advantages.
First, when correctly installed with the new inserts supplied in the kit, they allow the suspension to move freely throughout its travel without binding. This allows the torsion bar and shock absorber to be more effective, with better response to the road.
Secondly, they support the suspension arms more precisely under load and do not perish and collapse like the rubber bushes. We have come across cars undergoing restoration where the new Metalastik bushes have already started to split and perish by the time the car is ready for the road.
Thirdly, the cost of the polybush kit for the car is only a little more than the cost of the original type of bushes.
The benefits of the new bushes are immediately apparent on the road: the steering feels more precise and the handling more confident through the bends. All in all, a worthwhile improvement to your car!
Thank you to K&N Classic Cars for answering this question, which appeared in issue 115 (April 2007) of the XK Gazette.
“My car is a 1959 Jaguar OTS XK150 S. I have owned this cat for over twenty years. In 1988, it was completely restored to factory specifications - no variations at all. The photo is kind of unorthodox, but so am I! Of my collection of English critters, this one is my favourite pet!”
Post Your Picture
Sir Stirling & Lord March take a moment to enjoy the latest Stirling Moss Scrapbook and reflect
Limited edition (only 1000), leather bound, De Luxe Edition (signed by Sir Stirling & Philip Porter): £75.00
Order Now:
Order Now:
Hardback Standard Edition: £34.95
Pre-order Your Copy Now
XK60 Weekend at Goodwood Park Hotel Package: 'SOLD OUT'
Stop Press: We are finalising another local hotel which will include 4-nights’ hotel accommodation, tickets to XK60 at Goodwood & Cowdray Pack (all 3 days), Club hosts, tickets to the Diamond Ball and various meals, including final reception, dinner and live music. A great way to attend XK60.
XK60 Diamond Tour Monday 28 July – Thursday 7 August, 2008
Visit a host of UK highlights on our 10-day, 5-star tour of England and Wales (from the sweeping Yorkshire Moors, to the bucolic Cotswolds and the valleys of Glamorgan). Great routes and great experiences guaranteed! Tour ends on Thursday, 7 August in Cardiff.
Routes to XK60 at Goodwood will be provided. For XK60 you can arrange your own accommodation, get a little help finding rooms or book one of the weekend packages (below).
