June 2017 Volume 22 Issue 5
The newsletter of the Jaguar Association of Greater St. Louis proudly serving St. Louis Jaguar enthusiasts since 1961
It’s Alive! Automotive comes alive in its new location
Just My $.02 with John Testrake
Jaguar Association of Greater St. Louis “To promote, foster and encourage a spirit of mutual interest among enthusiasts of Jaguar automobiles.” was working over the weekend of May 20th, so I regret that I missed the Veterans Home visit and Alton tour. I hope it was en- ♦ Officers ♦ I joyed by many. I also missed Cars & Coffee at Westport. This leaves me with nothing to report. Our esteemed Editor has informed me President that having nothing to report is no excuse for not reporting on any- John Testrake Vice-President thing. Therefore, I shall try to enhance this honored publication with Matthew Johnson witty repartee. Treasurer Terry Carmack The European Auto Show is coming up in June. They al- Secretary/Membership ways say it’s “for the kids,” and indeed, moneys are gathered and Diana Schlueter 636.477.1763 donated to children’s charities. As noble as that sounds, I always chuckle self-righteously whenever I read the “for the kids” tag line. ♦ Board of Directors ♦ Why would I chuckle about that? Because I know how car guys are. Term expires 2017 We don’t bring out our show cars, worth thousands, and show them Tom Loew - Gary Schlueter - Kelly Waite off to each other for strictly altruistic reasons. We just like doing it. It Term expires 2018 seems somewhat incongruous to me to show off our cars while main- Allan Ellis - Marsh Riegert - Phil Taxman taining the pretense that it is to benefit others – as if to say, “Hey Term expires 2019 look at me … er, for the kids.” Having a charity involved might make Todd Dillon - Jim Hendrix - Lisa Hendrix some of us feel better about the showing off. Is that cynical of me? Probably. Am I just being obstreperous? Probably. Am I overthinking Point Tabulator - Cathy Riegert it? Yes. Concours Chairs - Lisa Hendrix & Matthew Johnson Chief Mechanic - Gary Schlueter The Blackhawk Race weekend is coming up the weekend Chief Judge - Jim Hendrix of June 17th. Phil Taxman will be there driving the Number 2 Jaguar E Assistant Chief Judge - John Testrake -type and we’re all invited to come along and see vintage racing first Historian - Gary Schlueter hand, stroll through the pits, cheer for Phil, and generally have a Advertising Manager - Tom Loew Webmaster - John Sippel blast. Some of the members of the St. Louis Triumph club are also planning to attend and President Steve Moore asked if there is going On the web at
Printing Kwik Kopy Printing - Chesterfield, Missouri On the cover:
The showroom at It’s Alive! Automotive was ADVERTISING POLICY: veritably bristling with All submissions to The Jaguar’s Growl must be in a form suitable for reprint; .jpg for classic cars (including photographs; eps., .tif, .gif, or .png for illustrations. High quality .pdf files may work.
this 140). JAGSL was ADVERTISING RATES - 12 months: invited to an open Business Card 1/4 Page 1/2 Page Full Page house on May 6. The $49.00 $111.00 $194.00 $375.00 story and more pic- All material for inclusion in The Jaguar’s Growl must be submitted no later than the 15th of the tures are on page 5. month preceding publication. The Editors reserve the right to edit all material submitted. The Jaguar Association of Greater St. Louis, its officers, directors and the Editors of The Jaguar’s Growl expressly disclaim any warranty or endorsement for any of the services or products contained in any Photos by Allan Ellis advertisement or mentioned in any article. The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and not necessarily those of the Jaguar Association of Greater St. Louis, its officers, directors or the Editors of this publication.
To Join:
The Jaguar’s Growl June 2017 3 Photo and drone-piloting by Gary Sudin The rain was heavy in the morning. I waited until the roads he 2017 Easter Car Show was held at the upper Munici- cleared, about 10:30 am, before making my way to the park. As pal Opera parking lot in Forest Park. Sponsored by the soon as I arrived, it started raining again, although it only lasted T Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri, the show is an event for ten minutes or so. I was a judge team leader, and we had that has been held annually since 1962. Many St Louis car clubs fifteen minutes each to judge seventeen cars, all of them 1950s participated, including the MG Club, the Model T Ford Club, the domestic. Some of those on display were spectacular (the Hud- Show Me Corvair Club, the Gateway GTO/Pontiac club, the Tri- son was my favorite). I left at 2:00 pm because the rain clouds umph/Austin-Healey/Morgan Club, Archway Olds, Moon/St Louis were developing again to the southwest. I made it home — driv- -built, and National Corvette Restorers. One of the featured auto- ing with the top down — in a bit of rain, figuring that if drove fast mobiles was the 1963 Chrysler Turbine car from the Museum of enough, then the rain would never get in the cabin … Transportation. Nine of these cars remain, and the one at the Easter Show is the only operational turbine car on public exhibit. —GARY SUDIN
upe and I had just spent the week- able to stretch our legs out and recline for end in Boston, MA., visiting our the trip home. Thank you, Captain L daughter, Ilana. Our return flight had Testrake! a connection in Chicago. While we were —PHIL TAXMAN waiting to board, much to our surprise, a very dapper Captain John Testrake, dressed to kill in his uniform and cap, came over to say hello. We soon found out that he was the Captain on our con- necting flight to St. Louis. John wel- comed us aboard and invited Lupe into the flight cabin. I had taken our seats way back in the rear of the plane. The next thing I knew, Lupe came over with two glasses of wine and said that we had been upgraded to First Class, compli- ments of Captain Testrake. This was a great surprise and it was really nice to be
4 The Jaguar’s Growl June 2017 eff Homsher, owner of It’s Alive! Automotive at 11714 St. Charles Rock Road, hosted an open house on the J morning of Saturday, May 6. JAGSL members had a special invitation to attend and other car clubs were also invited. It’s Alive! started out in Waterloo, Illinois in 2013. The classic car restoration and sales business just recently moved to a new, 30,000 square foot facility one mile west of the airport at the intersection of I-70 and the St. Charles Rock Road. Everyone who attended was welcome to free donuts and T-shirts. Jeff (who is also a recently minted member of JAGSL and Growl advertiser) thanks everyone who attended. In a recent email, Jeff said, “My wife, staff, Ellie (my dog) and I truly appreciate all the effort you took to organize the event yesterday at our facility. We all had a lot of fun and felt it was a great success (measured by the amount of fun).” We wish Jeff the best in his new location! —ALLAN ELLIS
Pictures: Allan Ellis, Jeff Homsher, & John Testrake The Jaguar’s Growl June 2017 5 Join us for a trip to the Crown Valley Tiger Sanctuary, in St. Genevieve, MO. The sanctuary is a rescue facility for beautiful big cats, where they can live as naturally as possible in a safe and healthy environment.
We’ll meet in the parking lot of the St. Louis Bread Company at Tesson Ferry (Rt. 21) & Kennerly Road (behind the Walgreen’s on the corner), just South of Hyw 270. We will leave this location at 9:30am, backtrack to Hyw 270 and then go South on Hyw 55 and exit at Hyw 32. You will turn right on Hyw 32 West and immediately turn left on Hyw B. From there it is approximately eight miles to the sanctuary on your right. We will have an approximately one hour tour of the facility, scheduled to begin at 11:00am, when you will be able to get really close to the ani- mals, learning about them and watching them eat and play in their home.
When we leave the sanctuary, you will turn to right and follow the signs to the Crown Valley Winery for wine tasting and you will have the option of taking a winery tour.
The cost of the tiger tour and the wine tasting is $20.00 total per person and you can also choose to have lunch on your own at the winery if you wish. (There will be no event charge.) We must have the number of at- tendees for the sanctuary tour, so please e-mail a response to Thomas Loew at
Our absolute deadline to respond to the sanctuary with the number at- tending is Monday, June 5th. Thank you. (Sponsored by Gary Sudin & Thomas Loew)
SUNDAY JUNE 11
January 14 Annual Awards Dinner—Deer Creek January 28 CC&C @ JustJags February 4 Memory Lane Rallye February 25 CC&C @ JustJags March 25 STL Car Museum / Lunch @ Square One March 18 C&C @ Westport April 15 C&C @ Westport April 15 Judges’ Training @ Hyman Ltd. May 20 C&C @ Westport May 20 Veterans’ Home Show June 4 St. Louis European Auto Show June 17 C&C @ Westport June 11 Crown Valley Winery / Tiger Reserve June 16-18 Blackhawk Farm Racing Weekend July 15 C&C @ Westport July 16 JAGSL Birthday Party August 19 C&C @ Westport August 26 Do-Nuthin’ But Show-Up Picnic September 16 C&C @ Westport September 23 All British Car & Cycle Show October 7 JAGSL Concours d’Elegance October 21 C&C @ Westport October 13-15 International Jaguar Festival November 18 C&C @ Westport November JAGSL Annual Meeting
6 The Jaguar’s Growl June 2017
Phil Taxman will be racing his ’64 E-type Coupe Saturday is time trials and qualifying. There will for JAGSL members to cheer on as well as help be a lunch time drive on the track. Donations HOTEL INFORMATION prep the car in the paddock. Some race cars go to Wounded Warriors. That evening, we already registered include MG TCs and TDs, a have reserved tables at Anna Maria’s Restau- (Tell them you are with VSCDA at Blackhawk Bugatti Type 37, Triumph TR3s and TR4s, Aus- rant (close to all hotels) for a group order off Farms to get the discount) tin Healey Sprites, Alfas, Corvettes, Devins, the menu. Lynxes, and Zinks. Best Western Legacy Inn and Suites Sunday is race day! Feature Races, Kaster Cup 5910 Technology Dr., South Beloit, IL 61080 / During lunch on Saturday and Sunday, street Triumph Race, an Endura, Formula Vee Race, 815.389.4211 cars are allowed to tour the track at speeds up Trans Am B-Sedan Race, and the Sprite Midget to 60 mph. Phil has also offered to take JAGSL Race Series. Sunday will wrap up with the Hampton Inn members out on the track during these ses- Dad’s Day Scramble reverse-start race (last 2700 Cranston Rd., Beloit, WI 53511 / sions in old #2. year’s was an amazing finish as an MG edged 608.362.6000 out a Mustang by a mere 1.1 seconds!). Again, JAGSL cars (old Jags, new, or whatever you lunch time touring. The race day ends at Garden Hotel like) will depart for the raceway together (with 2:30pm, so all should be able to make it home 200 Dearborn Ave., South Beloit, IL 61080 / break stops) for the 320-mile trek, the whole before dark. 815.525.3600 way on highways. Arrive when you can and leave when you want. Blackhawk Farms Raceway is next to a small airport and there will be vintage aircraft land- Friday is practice is all day: arrive when you ing and flying over the track during the day for TAXMAN R a c i n g
Please join us for the
JAGUAR ASSOCIATION of GREATER ST. LOUIS
Sunday the SIXTEENTH OF JULY at ELEVEN O’CLOCK
at the Annual Birthday Party FOX RUN GOLF CLUB 1 PUTT LANE EUREKA, MO 63025
CASH BAR BEFORE BUFFET LUNCH AT 12 NOON
R.S.V.P. to Joe and Sharon Guenther via email at < [email protected] > by July 9th 2017
The Jaguar’s Growl June 2017 7
With the understanding that I have, at this Writing for Auto Express, Tom Barnard point in my life, nothing to prove to any- offers the “Best of British,” a list of the David Morley recently reviewed the Jaguar “top 50 cars ever to roll off factory one, and I am highly critical of convention- Suggested by Ray Unger by Ray Suggested F-type … as a used car. In Drive (an Aus- al notions of hyper-masculinity, conven- production lines in Great Britain.” The tralian automotive site concentrating pri- tions that would necessitate accepting list of judges is pretty impressive (and marily on new cars), he writes, “You might preposterous challenges issued, challeng- numerous enough to avoid potential wonder how the heck a car sold in limited es designed to instigate ridiculous perfor- bias), including representatives from numbers and only since 2014 could ever mances of bravery or childish mainte- the upper echelons of McLaren, Cit- be available on the second-hand market in nance of pride, I quote Mark Morgan, who roën, Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Mar- reasonable numbers. But when it’s a said, “I dare you to put this in a Growl … in tin, Volvo, Buick/GMC, BMW, and the sports car, then all the usual bets are off.
fact, I double dare you.” Below is his sub- Automobile Association. Selected You see, a 12-month-old sports car is liter- mission. wholly at random, merely to offer ally and figuratively last year’s model; in Growl readers a sense of the list, here are the world of high-end sporty cars, being a few entries: coming in at … seen in the latest and greatest is what it’s all about, so trade-in times are typically … #46 is the Jaguar XJ6 Mk1 (1968-73) shorter than for, say, a sedan or hatch- … #42 is the Jaguar XF (2007-) back.” (Latest, sure … greatest? I think one … #41 is the Jaguar F-PACE (2015-) might ponder that a bit … Jaguar has had … #32 is the Jaguar F-type (2013-) some pretty solid Something-type sensa- … #31 is the Jaguar XK120 (1948-54) tions.) Morley reports that most F-types will … #22 is the Jaguar Mk2 (1959-67) still be under “a portion of the factory war- … #15 is the Jaguar XJ220 (1992-94) ranty,” but to stay far away from any used … #2 is the Jaguar E-type (1961-75) F-type without a complete service history, the lack of which “suggests an owner […] just didn’t care.” He also advises making And HEY, WAIT A MINUTE! #1 is the Mini sure recalls have been seen to, but appar- 1959-2000)!??!?! … Hmm, actually, I can ently, there have been only minor ones see that. (save for a “faulty batch of seat-belt pre- tensioners” in the 2017-2018 model). A
(At the time of this writing, this “E-type” was available on eBay, $80K “Buy Now” price. I’ll write that again: $80,000. Well, you know what they say about wonders and their never ceasing. I will quote Anony- mous, who says on
8 The Jaguar’s Growl June 2017
Jaguar Land Rover CEO Ralf Speth, Mark FOR SALE: 1970 Series 2 E-type FHC, Tisshaw from Autocar reports, is speaking in St. Louis Auto Museum, Heritage Certifi- in support of further diesel engine devel- cate, P/S, A/C, new wire wheels; # SU opment, and JLR is going to promote die- carbs, engine, transmission gear box, elec- sel technology: “Diesel has to – needs to – tric and cooling system all rebuilt by major have a future.” (Not sure what the differ- Jaguar shops; BRG and interior; scored ence between “has to” and “needs to” is, 9.979 in 2016 Concours. but the redundancy does sound good as emphasis, I suppose.) Tisshaw, para- phrasing Speth, calls diesels a “bridging technology,” essential for that time period when conventional petrol engines cannot keep up with environmental legislation, but before hybrids and full electrics are commonplace. Ultimately, the argument goes, diesels will allow the automotive industry to meet stricter emissions guide- lines. Tisshaw says that “Speth doesn’t see a future for fuel cells” and that “25- 30% of JLR’s sales [are] planned to be of electric cars by 2025.” And if things go the Writing for Car & Driver, Alexander way they’re going, by 2050, JLR likely will Stoklosa mentioned that an XF need to produce boats. “sportbrake” (read, station wagon) seemed “a long shot.” Appar- Photo: Autocar ently, though, Car & Driver learned through Motor Trend who learned through Joe Eberhardt (CEO Jaguar Land Rover North America) that assuming the shooting brake Call 314.805.1853 or goes into full production, it is Email
$8000. Call Ken McDade
Phil once again provided an awesome itinerary that included some of the most historic sites from Alton, Illinois. The quaint neighbor- hood roads and picturesque homes brought a significant era of our past into the 21st century. The historically rich antebellum homes, the Confederate and Alton National Cemetery, the site of the Lin- coln Douglass Debates, and the Miles Davis and Robert Wadlow statues were awesome. JAGSL member Courtney Jones also pro- vided us a special tour of the Western Military Academy, of which he is a graduate. Because of high water on the Mississippi River, we were not able to visit Smallpox Island, which was completely underwater. Our tour ended with a wonderful lunch at My Just Des- serts Restaurant in downtown Alton. Several members enjoyed their famous pies as well.
Our participants for this great event included:
—Ron Henry and guest Miss Corey —Phil and Lupe Taxman (1949 Willys Jeepster) —Courtney Jones and guest Tatiana (1984 Mercedes) —Bill Albertine, Classic Car Club (1967 Chevrolet SS Convertible) —Larry Griffin, The Horseless Carriage Club —Allan Ellis (1967 Jaguar 420)
—RON HENRY
Pictures: Allan Ellis & Phil Taxman
The Jaguar’s Growl June 2017 11 EDITOR’S IDLES: Matthew Johnson
all for driverless cars. (I see Gary Sudin cringing at I like driving old cars; doing so has made me additionally and I’m my declaration.) The problem in my mind is that cur- keenly aware of disdrivers … frankly, I am more endangered by rently, while they’re still necessary, we have so few actual driv- their disinterest than they are. And that makes – they make – ers that driverless cars cannot arrive soon enough. me angry. Not in a silly road-rage sort of way; my ire is justified because I see them taking others’ lives and others’ property We have too many people, sure, behind the wheels of their and putting them in serious danger, obliviously, carelessly, cars, supposedly in control of them, presumably paying atten- audaciously, stupidly. tion to the road and the world that surrounds them … but they’re not drivers. Too insulated are they by their automotive There was a dramatic increase in the number of road fatalities cocoons, thick with assumed safety. Too absorbed are they by last year, due in part because of the increase in cars on the their infotainment systems, plentiful with excess diversion. road, in part because of the distracted nature of their disdriv- Too distracted are they by their devices, seemingly making ers. There are now advertisements and reviews of cars that connections – bonds – but actually threatening danger -- sepa- stress models’ infotainment systems – even their wifi connec- rations. Too inadvertently menacing, through addiction or ar- tions. Their wifi connections. rogance or both. These people aren’t drivers. So I think it time for driverless cars. More accurately, though, I They’re disdrivers. “Dis-“ as in “not.” “Dis-“ as in “the oppo- think it time for disdriverless cars. Disdrivers’ cars really site.” Disapprove. Dislike. Disappoint. Disable. Disease. Driv- should be taken away from them. They should lose the privi- ers’ roads are burdened with these disdrivers. Disdrivers who lege. As far as I’m concerned, the drivers – the actual people follow too closely, brake too late, merge too aggressively. Dis- executing the act of driving – are welcome to stay on the drivers who run yellow lights (sometimes red) too frequently, roads. There are just so few of them. accelerate too slowly (and even then only after putting away their devices at a red light). Receive Your Growl Online
Sharper Pictures and Full Color
Navigating to the online version of The Growl is simple. Just go to
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Why not go completely digital? You can “opt out” of the mailed copy of The Growl.
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The Jaguar’s Growl June 2017 13
It just doesn’t get any better.
When you buy a new car, chances are you’ll enjoy at least a 100,000 miles of carefree ownership. But typically, something in your soul isn’t fully satisfied. Classic cars, on the other hand, can BUY, SELL, RESTORE & REPAIR be difficult at times but most delightful. Whether you experienced CLASSIC EUROPEAN SPORTS that delight in an MGB, an Austin Healey or the venerable XKE, it doesn’t have to be just consigned to memory. CARS & MUSCLE CARS
It’s Alive! Automotive can resurrect that delight with a vintage car of DOWNDRAFT ITALIA PAINT BOOTH any kind. Take a look at our inventory today: www.itsaliveauto.com Now conveniently located 1 mile west of the airport at the intersec- VERY AFFORDABLE RATES tion of Hwy 70 and St. Charles Rock Road
11714 Saint Charles Rock Road IT’S ALIVE! AUTOMOTIVE Saint Louis, Missouri 63044 APPLICATION FOR JAGSL/JCNA MEMBERSHIP
Membership fees: $63 per year for an individual membership $68 per year for a membership including partner (carries an additional vote) $32 for partial membership when applying after June 1st $23 for young enthusiast membership, up to age 25 ($11 after June 1st)
Member benefits: We look forward to your support and participation.
Attend social events Name: ______ Attend the annual "dinner gala" Celebrate JAGSL at its birthday party Spouse: ______
Join us for monthly events (shows, drives, meals, other get- Address: ______togethers)
Enter your Jaguar in local, regional and national Concours City: ______State: ______Zip: ______d’Elegance competitions (or don't enter a car ... just attend the shows!) Phone #s Home: ______Mobile: ______ Attend other local car shows and automotive events Embark on road rallies Email: ______ Learn from experts in tech sessions Jaguars owned (optional): ______ Earn points by attending activities and hosting events -- good
for prizes each year ______ Receive the monthly club newsletter, The Jaguar's Growl (print & digital) ______ Become a member of the Jaguar Clubs of North America (JCNA) Referred by (optional): ______ Receive a subscription to JCNA's bi-monthly magazine, Jaguar Journal Note: Single membership carries 1 vote (add $5 for additional vote). Receive significant discounts on new Jaguars (no kidding!) And, best of all, experience camaraderie with great, fun- Make checks payable to JAGSL and send to: loving, automotive enthusiasts! Diana Schlueter JAGSL Membership Chair Consider ... you do not need to own a Jaguar to join JAGSL: the 840 Rambling Pine Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303 club welcomes all Jaguar enthusiasts! 636.477.1763
JAGSL NAME TAG ORDER FORM If you would like to purchase a JAGSL name tag, please complete this order form and mail it with a check, made payable to Gary Schlueter, for $10.00 for each tag, to the same address as the membership application:
Gary Schlueter, 840 Rambling Pine Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303 (You can contact Gary at 314.606.0025) First tag. (Please print your name clearly, as this is what will First tag clasp: appear on your name tag). Pin:
Magnet:
Second tag. (Please print your name clearly, as this is what will Second tag clasp: appear on your name tag). Pin: Total enclosed ($10 x # of tags = $) Magnet:
Third tag. (Please print your name clearly, as this is what will Third tag clasp: $ ______appear on your name tag). Pin:
Magnet: The Jaguar’s Growl Allan M. Ellis 1363 Shepley Drive St. Louis, MO 63137