SDJC Stories

The Cat Came Back!!! (Part 7)
Posted September 15, 2009

Paul Novak

The Cat Came Back!!
This is the 7th update on my 1957 Jaguar MK VIII restoration project.  The last update was in the March 2009 Jaguar Tracks and there has been a lot of progress since then.

click to enlarge

My 1957 MK VIII last saw the road under its own power in 1975 when the prior owner parked the car for repairs and a restoration that never happened.  It sat protected in the garage of a Rancho Bernardo home for 30 years.  I acquired this large Jaguar saloon in March 2005 and had it towed back to my place in Ramona where I am awakening it from a 30 year sleep.  This “Big Cat” took up residence in our horse barn for three years where I worked on it. I stripped the exterior of all lights, chrome trim and windshields; stripped the interior of all wood, leather seats, carpeting headliner and trim; removed everything from the engine bay including the engine and transmission; and removed the entire fuel delivery and exhaust systems.  In May 2008 what remained of the car was loaded up on another tow truck for a trip to “A Perfect Fix Collision Center” in Escondido where body was carefully repaired and then repainted.  I am pleased to say it was loaded up on another tow truck on Saturday 6 June and came home to Ramona and into my new garage for the remainder of it’s restoration and return to road.  All the pictures of my MK VIII in this Jaguar Tracks were taken in my new garage. 

Most MK VIIIs were painted two-tone and mine is no exception.  Although it was originally Mist Grey and Cornish Grey, I decided on another color combination.   The car was repainted in Pearl Grey and Old English White which were authentic Jaguar colors for those years.   The metal throughout the car was in very sound condition and with the exception of the engine bay area near the battery and the trunk floor there really wasn’t any serious rust.  The engine bay and trunk were sand blasted and repainted, and all of the exterior dents were repaired and body panels aligned.   The two replacement doors on the left side of the car are indistinguishable from the original doors on the right side.  

I have no idea how long it will take me to put this puzzle back together again, return it safely to the road and get it ready to compete in future JCNA concours competition. So look to future issues of Jaguar Tracks for updates on “The Cat Came Back” and then see this beautiful car yourself some day at a future San Diego Jaguar Club event. 

Dear Fellow Jaguar Enthusiasts,

As some of you in the San Diego Jaguar Club already know, I am the proud owner of two new (well, previously owned) XK8s. But none of you know why I got two in a two-week period and what I had to go through to get them. If you’re interested, I wrote a little story about it. I call it “Stick Holmes’ Big Adventure.”

Stick Holmes' Big Adventure

It all started with a dream. My dream told me to buy a new car. It told me that since I only had two and a half years left to go to retirement, I should do everything I could to make my commute to work more enjoyable. My once a week commutes to Los Angeles used to be fun when I drove my 1990 XJS convertible, but then our own Glen Simpson of the San Diego Jaguar Club ruined it for me by suggesting I show the car at our Concours d’Elegance. I took first place that year in the Champion class. That was 1999. Since that time, I naturally felt uneasy driving a champion automobile to work, so I purchased a “commuter car” and stuck the Jaguar in the back corner of the garage and covered it.

The previously mentioned dream made me realize that I really missed driving the Jaguar, so the following week when I stepped out of the Pro Shop at the Mount Woodson Golf Club into the parking lot and espied an absolutely beautiful black XK8 Coupe, I was doomed from the beginning. I had never seen an XK8 coupe before. I felt like Mr. Toad when he saw his first automobile: I had to have one!

I told my understanding and extraordinarily beautiful wife, Karen, that I was going to put all three of my cars up for sale; the commuter, the show XJS and a 2002 T Bird which I was also afraid to drive. I told her that my intention was to purchase an XK8 coupe and become a one car guy, and swore I would actually drive it as my everyday car! No shows!

I remembered that my old buddy Ron had his automobile dealer’s license in the greater Dallas Fort Worth area where he lived among good people of high standards. He had told me if I ever needed a car he would locate one at a dealer’s auction. He said he could get it for “thousands” less that I could find retail. I called him, told him what I wanted and the game was on. But weeks later, he still could not find a coupe. Come to find out, coupes are as rare as an interesting certified public accountant. I was getting desperate. He finally called from his cell phone one Saturday morning to inform me he was at an auction standing by a 2001 XK8 convertible with only 21,000 miles. He said it was silver or charcoal or blue or something with a black convertible top. He said it was in pretty good shape but needed “my touch”. He wanted to know would I like it and how much was I willing to bid. Having given up on my hopes to find a coupe, I gave him a figure and thirty minutes later, I was the proud owner of an XK8 convertible for thousands less than I could find retail. Sight-unseen.

It was two weeks of anguish before I could get enough time off to collect my new prize. I flew to Dallas. As it turns out, the car was a bank repossession and the previous owner did not value “the marque” as much as we do. Although the car had never been wrecked, it had numerous door dings and a large dimple on the boot lid as a result of someone too stupid placing something too large in the trunk and slamming the boot lid too hard. The two driver-side wheels sported deep scrapes from a “close encounter of the curb kind”. The electric mirrors did not work and the black convertible top appeared faded and grey. Two of the four side lights did not work and only half of the horn. The high pitch half. Toot toot. There was a thick layer of dust in the engine compartment and gravel wedged in the cracks between the exterior panels. The guy must have lived on a stagecoach line.

The interior wasn’t quite as nice. The previous owner had obviously been a smoker. There were numerous cigarette burn holes in the floor mats and nicotine goo on everything. The sun visor on the passenger side would not stay up and the glove box door drooped at a funny angle. If you wanted to find an electric headrest that worked, you had to look somewhere else.

How can anyone do that much damage to a car in 21,000 miles?!

Other than that, I guess it was a pretty good car. (That’s like saying “Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?”) The color was great! It’s called “Titanium” which is silver or charcoal or blue or something, and it did have a brand new set of Bridgestone tires. And like Ron had said, there wasn’t anything on it that couldn’t be fixed or cleaned. I saw it as a challenge. A fixer-up. It should be fun.

I installed my Magellan navigation system via suction cup to the inner windshield, programmed it to seek out a hotel in Midland, Texas, and was off on my big adventure.

The first inkling that I may not enjoy smooth sailing on my voyage occurred three minutes later when I chanced upon a toll booth; a sight most unfamiliar to Californians. The cost was fifty cents. I, of course, had no change. As the polite but concerned traffic built up behind me, I noted a slot that accepted dollar bills. Eureka! I unstrapped and opened the door in spite of sign which read: DO NOT EXIT CAR! (Texans must have really long arms.) I quickly exited the car, shoved the dollar in the slot and returned. The toll booth light however, was still notably and stubbornly red. I waited until the Texan in the car behind me got ugly. What to do??!! Well, all things considered, I think I did what any honest forthright American would do; I ran it. I bolted. For those of you uninitiated in toll boothery, here’s what happens when you “Rabbit”: Toll booth lights flash, the siren wails, and a camera snaps a photo suitable for framing on the post office wall. Stick Holmes, a wanted man. In a repossessed car.

The speed limit in Texas is a sweet 75 all-American miles per hour. This is good for a Jaguar owner or a fugitive from justice. Being both, I happily settled in with my cruise control set at 75 as the Magellan ticked off the miles to my first stop in Midland, Texas. I noticed something peculiar about Texas drivers. They drive the speed limit, don’t tailgate, signal their intention to turn and are extremely polite. What a concept! I also noticed an intermittent vibration at around 65 to 75 mph that was occasionally violent enough to crash the Magellan navigation system! Note to self: Balance tires.

My night in Midland was thankfully uneventful. The Magellan found the hotel with little trouble. Being an outlaw, I naturally did not use my real name when I signed the register. I stowed my suitcase in my room and repaired to the saloon for a well earned redeye. As a bonus, I got written directions to the nearest name brand tire store from the bartender.

The following morning I was up early to stay ahead of the long arm of the law. I had a “Texas Breakfast”. A “Texas Breakfast” I found out, consists of a sixteen ounce ribeye steak, a fifth of whiskey and a dog. The dog is there to eat the steak. Off I went with the bartender’s written directions and his reassuring words ringing in my ears, “You can’t miss it”. I missed it. I finally found the tire store but it wasn’t where I couldn’t have missed it.

The tire store employee wore a Dwight Yokum t-shirt. His expert recommendation was to road force balance all four “tars”. The first balance made matters much worse. The second was a freebie and returned the car back to the way it was before. Fortunately for me, all this took only three hours and they only charged $100 ($25 a tar).

With the first half of the day behind me, I programmed the Magellan for a hotel in Las Cruses, New Mexico and moseyed along. Having chosen to “ride the dark trail” as they say in Texas, I needed to get over the border pronto to get out of the jurisdiction of the Texas Rangers. They shoot first and ask questions later you know. So off I went, shimmying and vibrating, with only an occasional stop to purchase touristy Texas paraphernalia.

Buying a Poncho in Texas

By the time I got to Las Cruses, New Mexico the Jaguar had accumulated an admirable collection of bugs from Texas, New Mexico and Old Mexico. Although I am normally reluctant to run a convertible through a carwash, I was ill equipped to remove a half inch of dried smashed bugs. I found a “no brush” carwash next to the hotel. This type carwash relied entirely on high pressure water and chemicals to do the cleaning. No machinery, wheels, brushes or rags actually touched the car. The upside was the high pressure nozzles blew the filth out of the convertible top returning it to a beautiful and new looking black. It turns out the faded grey was only three years of stagecoach dust. The downside was the high pressure liquid disregarded the convertible top’s rubber seals. Including me and the interior, it was a three towel event.

That night, after drying off and pondering the extradition question, I had a New Mexico style dinner. The entre was, you guessed it, grilled steak with a collection of unidentifiable peppers. The hors d’oeuvre was armadillo. It tasted okay but you had to eat fast before the next car came. The following morning I drove the rest of the way to San Diego with a side trip to Tombstone, Arizona for fun.

For those of you with nothing better to do than read boring statistics:

1,455 miles (including the side trip to Tombstone)
61.3 gallons of gas
23.7 average mpg
60 mph average speed
7,345 smashed assorted bugs

By the time I got home, I had developed a hatred for that vibrating, smelly, beat up old hunk a junk, so I told my understanding and extraordinarily beautiful wife, Karen, that my intention now was to sell all four cars and purchase a coupe.

One week later, I found a 2000 Anthracite coupe in Orange County. Anthracite is another Jaguar color. It’s light black or dark charcoal with little tiny metal flakes. I test drove it on my way to work the following day and bought it. I drove it home three days later on my way back from work. I’ll be darned if it didn’t have an intermittent vibration at around 65 to 70 mph. Is there a pattern here?

I'll sell one, honey, honest!

After some on-line research, I found that the problem may be in the tires. Since the coupe’s tires were well worn, I had the Discount Tire Store in my neighborhood replace the originals with Michelin Pilot Sports A/S’s. I think the A/S stands for “always smooth” ‘cause the ride at all speeds was excellent! Okay, it had a little airframe buffet at 120.

Meanwhile, back at home, the first three cars sold in three weeks. The XJS, I’m happy to report, went to one of our own SDJC members, Bill Crawford. There was some discussion with the Department of Motor Vehicles regarding whether or not I was in the used car business but that is another adventure story.

The rest of the story is happily mundane. Armed with my new knowledge regarding XK8 vibration, I also replaced the tires on the convertible with a new set of Michelins and swapped out the scraped wheels with the same style in chrome. In order to prepare it for sale, I got one of those dent specialists to take care of the dings. I fixed many of the minor mechanical problems and our old friend Cush Jaguar fixed everything else. It was still under warrantee. I then turned my attention to cleaning up the engine compartment and interior. When the dust settled, literally, that car was looking pretty good! Old Ron had a pretty good eye after all! So using the same superb logic I have always used when dealing in matters automobile, instead of selling it as I promised, I entered it in the Inland Empire Jaguar Club Concours d’Elegance, where I am happily able to report we took first place in the champion class.

I’ll end this with a list of a few of the things I learned during my big adventure. There is no particular order:

Some peppers are hotter than others.
You do not get a break purchasing eight tires.
Never try to take a 16 ounce rib eye from a hungry dog.
Armadillos are too slow to be allowed on the freeway.
Always carry change for the occasional odd toll booth.
If you sing in a car with unbalanced tires it sounds like you’re under water.
If you buy cowboy boots in Texas, you’re wife won’t let you wear them when you get home.
Never run a convertible through a high pressure carwash without a good supply of towels handy.
My idea of “pretty good shape” is different than the rest of the free world’s.
Ponchos are cheaper in Texas than in Nordstrom.
Armadillo taste a lot like chicken.
The Department of Motor Vehicles is still as efficient as it ever was.
Two Jaguars cost twice as much as one.
Commuting in a Jaguar is better than commuting in anything else.

The way it looks today

Stick Holmes

Posted August 25, 2008

XJ 4 RJ
by Bob Celli
submitted 4-28-2008

I’ll never forget the time I first fell in love. I was about 12 or so and sleeping in on a lazy Saturday morning. I hadn’t a care in the world until I heard that truck. The rumbling of its large engine...the clanking and slamming of its rear cargo doors opening...the screeching of a hand cart in desperate need of some WD40. I stretched, rubbed my eyes, and crawled back under the covers. The clattering continued outside. It won. I stepped over to the window and slowly opened the shutters to see what was responsible for bringing a dismal end to a morning that had barely just begun. Bekins. I had forgotten that my wonderful next-door neighbors had to move to L.A. for their careers and were renting their home to a young couple. Bekins made sure I remembered, loud and clear! I scanned the goings-on through the slat in the shutters when a sparkle caught my eye. Chrome, and lots of it! When the moving men stepped out of the way, I saw my first love – a brand-new Jaguar sat in the driveway next door. I had never seen one, save a sad, old beater that a playmate’s father in my old neighborhood swore he’d fix “some day.” But there it was...long...low...sleek...pure art. Pure beauty. I had to meet the new neighbors!

“Hi, I’m Bobby!” “Nice to meet you, Bobby. I’m Ray and this is Marie.” “I LOVE your car! Can I look at it! “Sure thing!” They directed me over to what I learned was Marie’s car – a shiny new Mercedes 450SL convertible. “No no, not this car, that car!” Marie looked a little irked and Ray lit up. “That’s my new baby! Want to sit in the driver’s seat?” I have never smelled such a scent...that combination of leather, wood, and well, new Britishness! From that day forward, my dream was to own my very own “baby” one day, just like Ray.

I had fleeting affairs with other Jaguars as I grew up. While vacationing in Hawaii, my friend, who walked to work in Waikiki each day, handed me and my friends the keys to his new 1999 XJ8, Platinum with Ivory leather–ours to drive all over Oahu for an entire week! Yes, there were great mai tais around. Priceless Hawaiian sunsets. Diamond Head framing the ultimate view from The Royal Hawaiian. But my mind was with my love...that amazing cat. I was more determined than ever: I will own a Jaguar one day. An XJ8 in Platinum with Ivory leather.

It’s funny what happens when we reach the age of 40, which I did in August of 2006. We celebrate; we say we don’t feel any older, that 40 ain’t so bad. But in the back of our minds, we focus not only on what we have achieved in four decades, but what we haven’t. The parties faded into the heat of summer and life continued on until I went to the auto show that December. There in front of me was the Jaguar section. Everything else disappeared. I decided it was time to get that “baby” I had dreamed of ever since that morning way back when. But it couldn’t be just any XJ8. I prefer the sleeker style of the 1998 - 2003 XJ8 over the new, bigger style. I also prefer the price! I searched the internet, I drove all over the Southland, and I nearly gave up. Then in February of 2007 I stopped into Bauer Jaguar in Orange County, nearly beaten by a day of disappointment. I told the dapper salesman that I would be in sheer heaven if I found a 2003 XJ8 Sovereign. None was on the lot. “Wait, wait,” he encouraged, looking over a list of inventory cars. “I think we have one that just came in yesterday. Would you like me to have it driven over for you to see?” “Sure,” I said, trying not to get my hopes up. As we waited, and waited, and w-a-i-t-e-d, he told me that the car had only about 9,000 miles on it because the owner rarely drives it. Seems she lives on Oahu and keeps a car here for her visits to the mainland. I had a hard time swallowing that. Then it arrived. Platinum. Ivory interior. Sovereign. Mint. The smell of new Britishness. “And guess what,” noted the salesman, popping his head into the car, “I lied. She only has 5,000 miles on her!”

My dream has come true, thanks to Bekins, some new neighbors, and a magical place in Coventry, England. Just the other day I was buffing off a second coat of wax in the garage when I noticed that some of the young neighbor kids were playing in the street. I’d say they’re about 12 or so. As I continued to polish, admiring every curve of my baby, I heard one of them say quietly to the other, “When I get to be Bob’s age, I’ll have a Jaguar just like his.”

About the Author: Bob Celli is a new member of the SDJC. He is a writer specializing in creating unique copy for websites, marketing materials, advertising, brochures and more.

This article was previously published in the Jaguar Tracks, Feburary 2008 by the same title and the Jaguar Journal March/April 2008 titled An XJ Love Affair. Photos are of the author's 2003 XJ8 Sovereign.

THE FUN WE HAD
By Suzanne Stofer

Cats and Birds loose in the same house and no fatalities?? Not even a fight?? That's exactly what happened when 44 Jaguar owners and 22 T-Bird owners gathered at Steven Bernstein's fabulous Mission Hills home for a potluck dinner on Sat, June 21. This was so much fun we're already plotting another joint event. One very interesting note....several T-Bird owners also own a Jaguar. Hugh and Rochell Samuels have a classic '55 T-Bird, but also have their 4th Jag, her '03 S-type. Bruce and Ann Mortland have a '57 T-Bird and a '67 XKE! Nedra Rummell, our ever-friendly membership chairman, was busy getting addresses to send out Jaguar Club membership packets to three potential new members, including Maggie DeCaro, who saw a blurb about the party in the paper and "crashed"! Nedra and Grant came to this event in their '89 XK8, but Nedra fondly reminisced about driving around in a baby blue '57 T-Bird with her friends when she was in school.

Steven sent invitations to his neighbors near Presidio Park to come by and view all the "birds and cats" parked around his house. Many took advantage of the opportunity to see these marvelous cars, some walking their dogs. The dogs seemed to like the Jaguars best. Steven has his two toned '67 Jag 420G and his lime green T-Bird in the driveway.

Steven graciously allowed everyone to wander through his gorgeous home which was recently featured on the ASID tour and photographed for Home and Garden Magazine. We were all fascinated by the living room walls that completely open to the view terrace and to the pool area, and by the finger of the pool that extends into the master bedroom for easy access for those midnight swims. Very classy. There were even show tunes playing on a magnificent baby grand piano. Jan Burton looked right in place in her spiffy pink and black ensemble complete with black hat.

The decorations throughout the house were ingenious. Lots of nooks and crannies...Jane and Bob Anderson found a delightful spot by the ferns near the pool to relax and reflect on their recent three week trip to London. Hazel Beck and Suzanne Stofer found a game area complete with a chess set which they turned into a checkers game. Hazel won, Suzanne lost. And speaking of losing, Steve Boyle was devilishly pleased with himself for besting Lou Lepis in the driver class at the recent Concours in Fullerton. Lou might be regretting telling Steve that one of Steve's taillights was out at 7 AM as they drove to the event; Steve called an auto shop, bought 14 bulbs hoping one would fit. The fifth one he tried did the trick, elevating Steve right past Lou and into first place!

We had fun talking to the T-Bird owners and hearing their stories about how they had located their cars. They are as car crazy as we are! One couple, Jerry and Bernette Hill, own eight cars and have to stay together as they can't split up the cars!

We had a chance to catch up with new and long time members. Chuck and Julie Brass, who have a '94 XJS coupe, told us about being in England and touring the Jaguar factory.

Rod Sornson, who came to the Shakespear pub as his first event, brought his wife Lynn this time, in their '02 X-type. He rightly said that Jag Club people are great! Jacquelin and David Guenlee had to come sans their '74 C as it is in the shop, but Jacquelin wore black and white to commemorate the colors of their missing Jag.

Nancy Stanworth and Pat Wrolson arrived in an XJR. Nancy's first event was the Churchill Pub dinner. Sammie and Wayne Nelson, who first met us at Churchills and were busy arguing then about whether their '90 Sabre is brown or red have found peace in their family and now call it browish red. Patsy Millard drove in her '91 Vanden Plus, and David Ousley in his black XJS coupe. Dan and Jorgene Jenson, who participated in the Acorn rally last year enjoyed the evening as well. As usual, it was great to have a chance to chat with Ginny and Dick Cavicke, who have been members since 1985. Dick is busy teaching us how to judge Jags for Concours events, and we appreciate his time! I didn't get a chance to talk to everyone there, including a stylish couple in tux and evening gown, but hopefully at the next event I'll catch up with the rest!

All in all, it was a wonderful event, and we have nothing but praise and thanks to Steven, for being the "Host with the Most", and to Maryann Sandhull, President of the T-Bird club, and to everyone who brought such outstanding food, and to our own Hazel Beck, for organizing it perfectly. Hopefully we'll get copies of the photos that T-Bird member Ed O'Hara took, and extra thanks to his wife Maria Elena who made all those enchiladas!

Dave has been a Jaguar owner since 1967 when he bought a used XK140 which is now undergoing a second restoration in Dave's garage. When Pat and Dave moved to Poway from San Jose in 1995 they had the XK140 and two other cars. After a year or two Pat's car needed replacement. Just for fun Dave suggested that she get a Jaguar sedan as compensation for putting up with his "old car thing" for so long. They looked at the ads in the local papers and found that Jaguars could be had for ridiculosly low prices. Soon Pat had her car. It is a Burgundy 1990 XJ6 Sovereign that she named PATZCAT.

This XJ6 model is referred to as an "XJ40" after the name of the Jaguar development design project for a successor to the Series III XJ6. It has an inline 4.0L 6 cylinder aluminum engine; computer controlled four speed automatic transmission and microprocessors to run just about all of the electrics in the car. One of the best features is an onboard diagnostic computer, "Vehicle Condition Monitor" that allows the owner to read and interpret engine error codes. The Jaguar Lovers website has provided a wealth of information on repair and maintenance making carcare simple and straightforward despite the sophistication of this Jaguar. PATZCAT has proven to be reliable and economical transportation in additon to grace , pace , and style.

Dave works in La Jolla and commutes about 40 miles a day. His ride became more and more uncomfortable in relation to PATZCAT. With confidence in his ability to care for an XJ40 he began his search for a special version of the same car. This would make the commute more enjoyable and provide equality both in and out of the garage. The car was to be the Jaguar Vanden Plas Majestic which had been produced in 1989, 1990, and 1992. The VDPM special equipment model was marketed in the United States only in 1990 and 1992. Only 803 were sold in 1989 and 1990. And 263 in 1992 according to Jaguar USA. All VDPMs in 89 and 90 were painted in Regency Red with alloy lattice wheels in the same color. Rear badges have Van den Plas on the left and Majeestic on the right with gold script lettering on red enamel. The word "Jaguar" only appears on the front section of the side trim strip. The interior of the 89 and 90 is trimmed in Magnolia Connolly leather with red piping. The gearshift knob, surround, steering wheel rim, and center section are also in Magnolia. Carpets are red with matching red lambswool mats. These cars cost $60,0000 when new, about $5,000 more than the standard Van den Plas. The 1992 model has a black cherry color with creme interior. It also has a creme panel between the rear lights and different wheels.

Dave decided on the 1990 model and went shopping. Fortunately, Southern California is the home of a large numger of these cars. After looking at six or seven examples he found his dream car in Redondo Beach. DAVZCAT is now his daily driver.

Pat and Dave's neighbors get a kick out of seeing these two cars side by side in the garage and often wave as they go on our way. They both enjoy driving such fine examples of the JAGUAR MARQUE and the consistant reward of glancing over the shoulder after parking the cars. With three Jags they have more than their share!

This site was updated on September 2, 2010

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