A Letter from the President…

Welcome to the newsletter for April 2025, Felis Onca.

Early March was full of events and fellowship, and I treated that in last month’s (late) newsletter.  The rest of this month has been slower and we had a good bit of rain, so Lobat and I stayed home and played with the cars.

I want to thank Dave Allen (cover photo) and his son Matt for helping me with a unique suspension glitch on the 08 XJ8 – I don’t think any of us know exactly how we fixed it, but the car is good as new thanks to hardware and software from last decade and a bit of luck.

I also want to pay special thanks to Nedra (cover as well).  Both she and the Allen family embody what Ithink is the best part of JCNA.  All ofthem are energetic, involved and super friendly to all.  If I could be like them even 50% of the timeI think I would be more than satisfied. Love to you all!

As my car hauler gets further upgrades and repairs (I had no idea these things required so much maintenance) I am continuing to tinker and actually drive more of my cars around.  Happy now for the warmer and sunnier weather. Lobat and I will take on of the Jags out for a grand tour of the southwest next week – should be “fun”.

Events continue to roll on here in 2025. Just a sample:

-         April 5, 2025 - Jaguar Clubof Southern Arizona 51st Concours d’Elegance

-         Apr 5-6 BEAR Run

-         Apr 6, Rolling British Car Day

-         Apr 12, Great British Swap Meet

-         April 13^th-Cambria overnight celebrating George Barry  

-         April 13th - Queen’s English Car Show

-         April 13, 2025, Woodley Park

-         April 14-16 - Bottom Buster MotorTour, https://bottombustermotortour.com/

-         April 26 - Seal Beach Car Show

-         May 31 - San Clemente Car Show

-         June 7-8 - JOCLA Concours, SW Regional Concours, and Huntington Beach Concours

-         July 12, 2025 - San Diego Jaguar Club Annual Concours, Cancer Survivors’ Park at Spanish Landing East, San Diego        

-         August 24 - Dana Point Car Show

-         October 5 - Laguna Beach Car Show, Sunday,

Ready for another great newsletter?  Here’s what’s inside:

·        See how predicted US tariffs will impact JLR

·        See a video of Jaguar’s NEW EV test center

·        As we approach the 50^th anniversary of the XJS see a review of one of their local clubs

·        Waymo driverless I-Paces are out there in the wild.  See how many parking tickets these bad boys rack up

·        If you put together a Jaguar’s Greatest Hits list, would it look like the one in this month’s edition?

Plus:

·        Check out our new Bulletin Board section for posts from fellow members

·        Check out the classifieds to find your next toy!

·        Updates from other regional Jaguar clubs

·        Check out the updated events calendar and JCNA National Club news

Sign up to become a member of the IEJC and receive even more benefits – subscription to the Jaguar Journal, discounts at Riverside Jaguar, and the warm companionship of dedicated Jaguar owners…

Got some great updates from Bill Rooklidge and the OC Drivers Club:

Many of us used SNG Barrett for parts of higher quality than we couldget from Moss Motors. Often made in England, the SNG Barrett parts rarely camepre-rusted like those from Moss Motors. Well, SNG Barrett has been acquired bythe same parent company that owns Moss Motors and Rimmer Bros. We only hopethat the quality of SNG Barrett’s parts won’t plummet, to the extent it has notalready.

But there is some good news on the horizon, at least for you drivers of 1950’s Jaguars. The tire of choice for the period look has been the Dunlop RS5bias-ply tire. But the price of those has shot up to $703 per tire. Well, Coker tire just announced its new Excelsior 6.00 x 16 radial tire that looks very much like the period-correct original fitment tire (sorry, tyre) but has the added benefit of being a modern radial tire and priced at only (relatively speaking) $283 per tire. Check it out. I plan on getting a set for Gussie (myBRG XK120) when the need arises. If you do try them, please send me note so I can report to the club.

One more thing. Many of you have needed starters, alternators or generators rebuilt and have despaired of the diminishing local resources in that regard. No longer! I can highly recommend Doug Kemmling of Fullerton Diesel Electric, 1889 Commonwealth Ave., Unit P, Fullerton. Call him at (714)870-4702 or do what I did, just show up with your worn-out Lucas part.

See you this month!!

Quick links in case you need to renew your membership or join as a new member:

- Full Member (includes you & spouse/other) - $80

- Associate Membership (in another JCNA club) - $30