project 1...

How I found my first Jaguar - the story behind the projects, my XJ40, "KUH".

24th December, I decided to play the Christmas Lotto-I didn’t win. But I did make one gamble which changed all my plans for 2009.

I had decided, for a change, to meet my boyfriend, Joe, for lunch in the works canteen. We were just leaving and saying goodbye when I heard someone talking about trying to sell their XJ40 as they walked past us. Any Jaguar for sale catches my ears and I mentioned (quietly) to my boyfriend what I had just heard. The gentleman in question was still speaking to his friend, and I was dubious about asking and momentarily became very shy (mainly because it was of course quite rude of me to be eaves dropping!) But Joe insisted I asked and marched me over to this gentleman. I introduced myself and he introduced himself as Brian, then we exchanged company email addresses, with the promise that he would email me all the information he had on the XJ40.

The next 2 days were the best I had over 2008. I had begun my Christmas holiday and was planning to go and visit my parents, I had just been told that I had made it to the final 6 of the Apprentice of Year awards, and then I had an amazing email from Brian.

We had been keeping in touch. Brian had sent me an extensive list of his XJ40s details and history. She had a full service history up until Brian purchased her; when he became her technician and between himself and his colleagues from Jaguar, she had been thoroughly spoilt including a full head re-build at 90,000 miles. Her bodywork was immaculate and Brian had spent a lot of money getting her sills and arches done at Guy Salmon. In short, this early 4l Sovereign wanted for nothing in Brian’s ownership. I was keen to see this car and had decided to go and have a look at her in person. Then I received an email from Brian, in which he said that he was happy for me to have the Jaguar provided I kept in regular contact with him about her. I was in deep shock…I had just been offered a free Jaguar!

I went and met Brian again, and here I met “KUH”, his XJ40. She had been off the road ever since Brian was able to treat himself to a super low mileage XJ8. Before coming off the road, Guy Salmon pointed out that to pass the next MOT she would need rear sub frame mounting bushes and the right hand front damper top hole would need welding. She had no tax or MOT, but this is where the fun is going to be! As Christmas approached we went our separate ways. Joe and I were visiting my parents and his, and Brian was off to attend some business in Bangkok and to also spend time with his family over the Christmas period.

Then came 2009! We all met up again a few weeks later at a local café where we caught up on what had happened over Christmas and New Year, before filling out the V5, going over the extensive paperwork Brian had collated over the years, and finally passing over the keys. Then that was it-I was the proud new owner of a much loved Jaguar XJ40 Sovereign…and a new project!
I want to express my biggest thanks to Brian for providing this opportunity for me, and I wish him all the best in Bangkok.

KUHs story can also be found on the Xclusively Jaguar monthly newsletter.