I’m terribly sorry to report that the XK Club recently lost a very active and wonderful member. Personally, I have lost a great friend. I refer to Nick James.

We first met socially years ago and, for several decades, he owned an ex-rally TR. He then graduated to an E-type and it was thanks to Nick that Pol Roger, of which he was the UK Managing Director, sponsored the E-type Challenge race series. He then decided he was more of an XK man and purchased a superb RHD 140 Roadster, with a fascinating period overseas history, from Twyford Moors.

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Nick wrote about the car in this magazine on a number of occasions and it spent time in my workshop here. What was a remarkable coincidence was that it not only sat next to my own RHD example, but they have successive chassis numbers. So, they would have gone down the production line together and were reunited, something like 65 years later!

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Nick was a very genuine enthusiast and a terrific guy. It is an absolute tragedy that he suddenly became ill and died a few short months later. To honour and remember him, we plan to have a Nick James Memorial Run in May.

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Following suggestions about members researching the history of their cars, Ian Robertson has been in touch proposing that members write up what they know, highlighting any gaps in the hope that other members worldwide might be able to help. Great idea.

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Meanwhile, Bruce McComish in Australia, who started this ball rolling, has written a superb piece about his car’s early history and had some further excellent ideas. More on all this in future issues. Thank you, gentlemen.