One hundred twenty Jaguars were found on July 19, but do not be alarmed; they are well-maintained.
The Jaguar Car Club of Victoria – one of only two such clubs in the world, the other being in Australia – gathered in Oak Bay’s Windsor Park on July 19 for the 20th annual Jaguars on the Island Concours d’Elegance, a highlight in a weekend of Jaguar-themed festivities.
The Concours d’Elegance, a competition of elegance, sees cars judged on their appearance, authenticity and condition.
The show welcomed Jaguars of all models and ages to the park, where they were displayed and judged among fellow enthusiasts. This year’s event placed a particular emphasis on the XKE Jaguar, also known as the E-Type – a car Enzo Ferrari once called “the most beautiful car in the world.”
Participants came from across North America, including entries from Washington, Oregon and even Florida, along with many local enthusiasts.
This year, the club also made room for a few Aston Martins to mark the 90th anniversary of the Aston Martin Owners Club. While the cars bear a different badge, they share a designer, Sir Ian Callum, who worked with both Aston Martin and Jaguar when the brands were under Ford ownership.
Jaguar Car Club of Victoria president Phil Nielsen said his passion for the vehicles began when he first saw them as a child.
“As a kid, one of my mom’s friends had one of these Mark 2 saloons, and I’m riding in the back seat of this and feeling pretty special – you know, all the wood and leather. It’s just so different from a North American car, and I just got hooked,” said Nielsen.
“The term they used over the years was ‘grace, space and pace.’ That’s exactly it – they look like they’re going fast even when they’re sitting still.”
The crown jewel of this year’s show was a 1939 SS 100 – a pre-war Jaguar that predates the iconic big cat namesake. Originally called the “Super Swallow,” the company rebranded to Jaguar during the Second World War, as the term “SS” had taken on a much darker connotation.
For many participants, the enthusiasm began in childhood. Chris Moyse, who brought his 1969 E-Type to the show, said the passion runs deep.
“I always grew up around them, so I’ve kind of just been addicted from that age,” said Moyse, who also enjoys seeing what other people bring to the shows.
He acquired his car from a friend who had used it as a daily driver for many years. At one point, it was even stolen in Vancouver, but was eventually recovered.
“You can tell it’s been used as a car. It doesn’t apologize for that,” said Moyse.
While the vehicles appear pristine, it’s clear they all have a story – they are well-loved and well-used.
“Obviously, it’s Deuce Coupe weekend and you see trailers all over town. But most of our people don’t trailer their cars in from wherever they’re coming from – they drive them, and quite regularly,” said Nielsen.
