Jaguar Cars (inc. SS)

Yes, this is the famous home of one of the biggest battles of the US civil war. We lived about 12 miles up the road and my son still lives there. We live in Virginia but much closer to D.C.

On the Jaguar/Daimler site in the former apprentice training school which was located above 60 shop there was a V12 engine block with one side of the V removed and a blanking plate cover on that side, and a AJ6 engine on the other side, I don't know if it was ever fitted in a car.

There are some excellent Sadler images added to Coventry Digital featuring Jaguar production. I've not seen many body-in-white E-Type pics before.

I've mentioned on the forum before I'm a long time Lotus owner and am fortunate enough to be friends with fellow Coventrian Mike Kimberley. For those not aware Mike went on to be the boss at Lotus Cars and for many years was Colin Chapman's right hand man and also remarkably at one time was also at Lamborghini. Anyway Mike got in touch recently as he is currently writing his autobiography (which should be a great read to include his early years in Cov). Mike was after a particular photograph that we've later learned came from the London Illustrated News, of the Browns Lane fire in 1957. With many thanks to our own Annewiggy, we were able to provide Mike with a copy. I've zoomed in here as it show's Mike on the right as he was originally an apprentice, living just along the road on Brown's Lane. The other apprentice Mike named as Mike Ferris. This is what Mike had to say on the image - it's interesting to hear some commentary about pictures of the time. The photograph was taken from inside the north end of the factory, just where the test and rectification area was before the fire. I had been reversing cars out during the fire when Lofty grabbed me by the ear (I was just reversing a melting 3.4l out - my 6th car) and took me round to Sir Bill out front. The next day I was in the same area standing on top of a burnt out car with another apprentice, both wearing wellies as we were looking for our toolboxes (were by the elevated line on left). The thing that stands out is the frozen river of glass hanging from the burnt out roof! We are surrounded by burned out hulks. Our backs are to the camera I think, or half side on, gazing at the glass and terrible burnt out cars.

"Lofty" would be "Lofty" England

I read a few days ago that the last few JLR buildings will be demolished at Browns lane starting this week which will be the end of any Jaguar or JLR involvement on the site I guess. I left JLR a couple of years ago just as the FEU (Field Evaluation Unit) team was talking about moving to Gaydon, I guess this has happened now, a shame the Browns Lane site is no longer part of JLR but it did feel like a site hanging on by it's fingernails.

Hi Andemt, welcome to the forum Thanks for the information, albeit sad

Yes welcome Andermt. I wasn't sure what was left anyway - surely the clubhouse is staying?

It's all very sad Coventry gradually losing its connection with Jaguar. I too am an ex- employee of JLR (Land Rover , Solihull) and have sadly just taken ownership of my last Jaguar as they are to cease production of all internal combustion driven cars around October this year. The XE & XF models have ceased production already, a big mistake in my mind.

The HQ at Whitley is still there and expanding though Colin so still retain a link. I think the Combustion engine decision will be reversed soon - Hybrid and then Hydrogen will be the future......... My cousin was the Programme lead on the XF.

Hi Neil, I used to live in Whitley, Rutherglen Ave, hence my hashtag "colintheglen". I agree with you that future of cars will be the Hydrogen Cell Engine and the sooner it's developed fully the better. When I picked my new car last month the dealer informed me that with the decline in models the dealership network in the UK is to be cut in the next 12 months from the 50+ at present to about 18 and they are already in the same process world wide. This is very sad and will inevitably will have a knock on effect at Whitley. In the 70/80's I worked for Chrysler / Talbot / Peugeot and I just hope Jaguar will not go the same way and at least keep the development side of its operation at Whitley, which ironically was doing the same role for Rootes/Chrysler.