The Special Breed Wisconsin Jaguar Ltd Newsletter FO Volume XXXVIII No. 1 JANUARY 2019

Order your Jaguar club FOR EVERY ENDING 2019 THERE IS A BEGINNING! Name Badges! CALENDAR OF EVENTS Wisconsin Jaguars Ltd. will Saturday evening, December 8, provide individual name badges Save the Dates marked the end of the 2018 to new and veteran members for calendar year for the Wisconsin a nominal fee of $15 per badge. Details to follow Jaguar Ltd. Club. Please mail a check for $15 for April 6 th , Potluck A great group of members each badge, payable to WJL joined together for the holiday Don Huebschen th May 19 , Hare and Hound party in the library of the 7730 Cannellwood Drive Fun Rally University Club near the lake South Beloit , IL 61080 front in Milwaukee. Drinks, Email your request to June 22 nd , Summer Picnic Hors d’ oeuvres and lively [email protected] conversation proceeded the Type your name as you wish it to July 17 th, Supper Club Night dinner. A short meeting appear on the name tag followed with members July 28 th , Illinois Concours offering up suggestions for the events they would see August 4 th , WJL Concours organized for the 2019 season.

Also announced: September 14 th Neenah to

Elkhart Lake The Board of Directors for 2019.

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP October 13 th , Driving tour Mike Korneli………... President FOR 2019 & lunch Mark O’Meara….Vice President RENEWAL……………………$70.00 Dick Diercksmeier….. Secretary If postmarked after 1/01/2019 October 26 th Halloween Party Don Huebschen……..Treasurer

Sandy Block.Membership chair Dues include our club November, Go cart racing John Boswell…. Concour Chair newsletter

John Boswell…….. Chief Judge JCNA “Jaguar Journal” and December, Holiday Party Jan Schlabowske…...Marketing inclusion in Dave Warren…..Dealer Liasion JCNA sanctiond and non-sanctioned events.

JAGUAR REPAIR Make check payable to:

callcallcall WISCONSIN JAGUAR LTD .

Mail with this form to: WELCOME JAN SCHLABOWSKE NEW MEMBER John Boswell

501501501-501 ---625625625625----5035035035031111 724 Michigan Ave Kristie Lawrence South Milwaukee, WI 53172 . [email protected] Sheboygan, WI 2000 XKR Convertible, Black

A PEEK INSIDE THE anything I wanted to, with hard dream!) Last year, my husband PRIDE work. God only knows the started teasing me about Story and photos power of those words. The seed upgrading for my birthday, and By: Shenendoa Finnigan was planted, and I became I finally took him up on it! I Jaguar crazy. My goal was to traded Izzy in, and came home Why I Love Jaguars have one by the time I was 40. with Olivia. She is a 2007 XKR I was emancipated from my convertible, and I adore every step-parents in 1980 at the age Life took its course. I ended up inch of her too. of 16. I had a tiny apartment in being a single mom, and the hood in Cleveland, Ohio, through the years became a and the only income I had machinist. I didn’t get my coming in was from the V.A. Jaguar when I was 40 because I and Social Security. I didn’t was busy trying to figure out have a clue about how to make things and raise my kid. I ends meet. I was still going to finally got my first Jag when I She is also classy, but an “in school and managed to get a was 49 and after my daughter your face” kind of classy! She part time job at McDonalds had gotten married and started is indigo blue and sparkles later on. Times were pretty her family. It was a little silver when the sun hits her. She is bleak. 2003 X-type, and I loved every the fastest thing that I have ever My hood apartment was next to inch of her. She was very driven and makes me giggle a little used car lot and I would “IZZY” when I punch the pedal! I get sit and watch the activities of the biggest kick when Chargers this place. Once a month, an and Mustangs on the road want accountant would come to this to play. car lot, to do the books. He was driving a brand new XJS. This I love Jaguars because this car was the most beautiful former little Cleveland hood-rat thing I had ever seen. She was can hold her head up now hunter green with camel leather knowing that she finally made interior and had wire wheels. it. The accountant was proud, but “OLIVIA” didn’t come off as snobby. I remember that he carried a classy, and in my mind, I could leather briefcase too, which I say, “I did it!” I named her thought was a nice touch. Isabella, (Izzy), after my People respected him, and he favorite actress. seemed empowered, and that’s how I wanted to be. I decided With the encouragement of my that I wanted to become an now husband, I retired from my machinist career, (almost 30 accountant. One time while he was there, I walked over and years!), and went back to started looking his car over. school. I got my Associates Keep in mind, I was a 16-year- Degree in accounting and old lost soul and had no clue realized that I couldn’t stand a about cars. He came out and desk job, haha! I’m an out- talked with me for a bit, and doorsy country type, hands-on then went about his business. I kind of women, and that’s told him that I was going to okay. I can use my degree to have a Jaguar when I got older take care of my own books for and he told me I could do my B&B, (another life-long

about that time. (one could be a mirrors, ladies make up kits, a member as an enthusiast crown or crease here or there without owning a car if a on a fender, a special molding member sponsored you). That or moldings, etc., etc. opened up new clients and the Auto Biography of availability to associate with In the next step the design other Rolls-Royce repairers, studio created a full scale set of An 80 year old Gearhead restorers, parts suppliers and drawings on large sheets of the large archive of technical paper for the client to approve. Chapter 6 information at the RROC These were mounted on a wall By: Jan Schlabowske headquarters in Mechanicsburg to give an accurate perspective. PA. I attended my first RROC Changes could be made if During the last two years or so national Meet in Detroit in proportions were less than at the Buick dealer, I built up a 1978. What a treat to spend satisfactory. When the results following of Rolls-Royce and several days surrounded by were satisfactory, the chassis Bentley clients, thanks to the these wonderful cars. was delivered to the frequent projects sent to me by Especially the pre war custom coachbuilder for building. Butch. It expanded significantly coach built cars, by Hooper, Clearly one can understand after a visit of an Opel customer Park Ward, Gurney Nutting, why these early cars were who was a reporter for the and the dozens of British constructed mostly of Milwaukee Journal. In August European and yes American aluminum over ash wood 1977 the reporter, Miles coach builders. framing. There were few parts McNamara, brought his Opel in A short Primer on Rolls-Royce that could be mass produced for service. On that particular history . Before the Second for the bodies. day I had two or three Rolls- World War and shortly Royce cars in my work area. thereafter, one did not usually I met one of the Hooper Miles asked why they were go to a Rolls-Royce showroom Coachworks designers, there and I explained that I had and select a car out of stock. Osmond Rivers at a RROC a small following of vintage The dealer may have a car on meet. He told a fun story. The Rolls-Royce clients. The local display that he commissioned client came to look at the first dealer, at that time, was not to be built, but carried no rendering and said “I want the enthusiastic about working on inventory. The purchaser roof to be two inches lower”. these early cars. They ranged selected the chassis model from After he left the staff agreed from 1920’s Silver Ghosts to the few that were available. The that it could not be done and 1960’s Silver Clouds. He did an chassis included the complete allow enough head room in the interview a few days later and running gear, the grill, and the cabin. Top hats were the norm brought along a photographer. bonnet. It was drivable. After at that time. The solution was The heading of the article was that a coach builder was to draw another roof line two “Doctor of Auto Status selected. He or she then went to inches above the original, then Symbols”. It ran on August 14, the coachbuilder’s studio, erase the new roof line so it still 1977. From that day forward where a portfolio of designs was somewhat visible as a my work was almost was presented. The buyer change. Leave the original roof exclusively on vintage Rolls- selected the basic design and line and invite the client back Royce automobiles. I had so then discussed details which for another look. You know the much business that two or varied as wildly as one could results. Upon seeing what he three assistants were hired. One imagine. Owner driver (no thought was a change; he was my son David when he division window) limousine for approved the “new” design. was home for breaks from chauffer driven, Fabric, leather, Back to my story. After some college. I became a member of window shades, custom crystal time it occurred to me that all the Rolls-Royce Owners club if a bar was included, vanity these clients were directly there

as a result of my following. It Our first full restoration was a autocross car that I found in seemed logical that I should 1929 Packard Dual Cowl Detroit, and a rare 7 series BMW consider having my own shop. Phaeton. A genuine one family with a 5-speed transmission. But I consulted a banker. He owned car from a Beer Brewing my true love was always the arranged a line of credit. I family originally in Indiana. beautiful Jaguar E-type. My found a location below what at The current owner’s brother fascination with Jaguars began a that time was Zimdars Motors purchased it in 1929 at the long time ago when I was still in on Greenfield Avenue in West Chicago Auto Show in the high school. This is the story of Allis. Harold Zimdars, being a Drake Hotel in Chicago. Mrs. how I searched for, found, and long time Sports Car Racer Schmidt also owned a 1959 then lost an E-type. (Porsche) and an all-around Bentley and a Lincoln I was a self-taught mechanic import and sports car Limousine. She then lived in growing up in Sun Prairie enthusiast, remodeled his lower Lake Forest and Palm Beach Wisconsin where the sight of level for my use. Harold and I Florida. Jaguar E-types (or any English are still friends and attend The The story of that restoration and showing sports car) was very rare indeed. the car in Chapter 7. North Lake Drive 100 Mile Per In the short period of time Hour Club meetings together as between my high school well as occasional lunches with graduation in 1971 and the several old race and sports car The One That Got Away beginning of my enlistment in the Story and photos By: Steve Pate cronies. We call them racers military, a friend who knew that I lunches remembering times It’s sad to hear that today’s was interested in sports cars past when one might be driving youth are less interested in offered me his burgundy E-type a sports car and upon passing driving, much less owning their coupe for the princely sum of another each would wave. own car. I think the reason might $500.00. It had a few issues be because most of today’s cars including a broken back window I don’t remember the date that I resemble one another with gaping and a bad exhaust system. first opened, but I do remember grilles, uninspired styling and ever However, the purchase price that we opened with four cars increasing size. As proof, just look included a new exhaust system, in the shop and four at the massive number of still in the box! I fell in love with employees. The cars were a minivans and SUV’s now the sensuous lines of the car. Then 1934 Bentley, a Rolls-Royce crowding our roads. I think that there was the exotic look of that Phantom III, a 1934 Packard two very important ingredients spectacular in-line 6-cylinder with and a Mercedes 300S Cabriolet. needed to create new car its triple carbs, those gorgeous In all my years in my own enthusiasts are beautiful model chrome wire wheels with Jaguar repair/restoration business, I designs that are fun to both drive knock-offs and a dashboard that never had a day when there and look at, something that you looked like the cockpit of an were no cars to work on, and I want your friends to see you airplane. I had to have that car! never received a bad check. driving. However, my limited financial As far back in my life as I can resources were not the biggest During the years below remember, I have always been a obstacle to overcome. I was soon Zimdars, we had the privilege “car nut.” I got excited when I to begin military service. If I of working on almost every spotted something unusual, like a bought the car I would need a model of Rolls-Royce, prewar Triumph or MGB, an old Renault place to store it for 3 years! For and post war Bentleys, Jaguars, Dauphine, or even a Subaru 360! that reason, I couldn’t swing the MG T series, a few Ferrari’s Over the course of my driving life, deal and had to pass on the Maserati, Talbot Lago,Packard, I’ve been lucky enough to have purchase of that car, but my desire and at one time we had three of owned a lot of fun, interesting and to find another E-type did not go the total production of unusual cars like a Triumph TR-3, away. (No, that E-type isn’t the Bizzarrini, which is about 50 a Cosworth Vega (please, no jokes) subject of this story.) cars in the shop. a German built Mercury Capri

After my military service as a color. The worst things that I wheel and track mechanic ended, I found were the chrome trim that returned to Madison and took a usually runs down both front job at a small BMW dealership fenders had been removed, the called Fitchburg Foreign Cars as a seam filled with body putty and BMW and Fiat mechanic. Two the driver’s side floor was rusted years later, I was recruited by a through. It was not all bad news Ford dealership in Sauk City however. The chrome wire

Wisconsin that was adding British wheels, knock-offs and tires were Leyland cars to their inventory in excellent condition, the exhaust and needed mechanics. I jumped was complete and original, all of at the chance to work on MG, the lights worked, it had decent Triumph and Austin cars. I also seats and the engine compartment thought that by working at a looked original and complete Leyland dealership I might find an without modifications. The engine E-type that someone wanted to started and ran with good oil trade in for a newer car. After a pressure, the clutch worked fine short period of time, that dealer and the transmission shifted I cut out the rusted floor and used moved the Leyland franchise to normally. I reasoned that the the old part as a template to craft Middleton Wisconsin, added restoration of the car was within and install a new drop floor for the Porsche and became Cars of the my capabilities and purchased the driver’s side of the car. I ordered Continent. That shop is where I car after a brief negotiation with and installed a new glass rebuilt my first (and only) Jaguar the owner. The drive home was headlight cover, bezel and gasket 12-cylinder engine. The exciting as the brakes locked up bringing the bonnet back to unfortunate owner ran the car out twice, requiring that I stop and (almost) normal appearance. I of oil and seized the engine! bleed out the brake lines to allow spent weeks cleaning the wire While at that shop, I began to me to continue. Other than the wheels and knock-offs until they search in earnest for an E-type. recalcitrant brakes, the car ran well gleamed. I bled out the brake Now I had access to factory parts and all of the engine instruments system and cleaned all of the at reasonable prices and hard to stayed in the normal range. I calipers. In the engine find factory service tools. Soon, I finally had my E-type! I parked compartment, I removed and heard about a “Jag in a barn” near the car in my small garage and polished both valve covers and the Hortonville Wisconsin. I learned began the “restoration.” pots of the three SU carburetors. I the owner’s name from a customer cleaned everything I could see and found out that the car was until the entire compartment indeed for sale. I contacted the gleamed like new. owner and drove to Hortonville with a friend to view the car, a 63 convertible E-type. As excited as I was to find an E-type, there was a lot of bad news. It was absolutely parked in an old, dilapidated barn and the car was covered with dirt and dust. The convertible top Over the next few months, I removed the entire dash pad, was in tatters and barely usable, it fascia and instruments to begin the was missing the driver’s side process of cleaning, repairing and headlamp cover and chrome trim I replaced the oil, oil filter and replacing old parts to bring the surround, the dash pad was air filter, serviced the battery and car’s instrument panel back to its cracked in several places and the checked every electrical former glory. car had been repainted a dark gold connection. Finally, I balanced

and adjusted the SU’s until the the XK8 convertibles looked a lot engine shops that I know of. engine idled and revved smoothly. like an updated E-type. It had a We sent it to Vintage Eventually, I had the car long, sculpted bonnet with Restorations in North Lake mechanically ready for another covered headlights, handsome Wisconsin. I have known the test drive. Finances dictated that rear fenders, and a beautiful owner Rick Bunkfeld for about replacing the torn hood and interior. As a bonus, it now has thirty or more years. His completing the interior such modern features as cruise specialty is Ferrari engines. The refurbishment with a new carpet control, air conditioning and a skill and artistry of repairs in set had to wait for a future date. power operated hood. I his shop can only be described The car ran great! Everything answered a Craigslist listing as outstanding. He undertook worked as it should, even the from Rockford Illinois, and I am the Jag head both as a favor and clock now worked! Over the now the proud owner of a 2001 to fill a small hole in his summer I had the great pleasure of Roman Bronze XK8. It is lovely schedule. It was an expensive cruising around in my own E-type to look at, fun to drive and easy rebuild but the quality of the despite the fact that I had to use a to maintain. Car lust, for a true results cannot be argued with. lot of duct tape on the hood to enthusiast, never goes away. I keep the rain out. One of the look forward to being seen in Since we had the cylinder head fondest memories I have from the this Jaguar for many years to off it gave us an opportunity to short time I had that car was come. inspect the cylinder bores. driving slowly up State Street in There was a significant ridge Madison with the top down, two which points to excessive wear. lady friends in the back sitting on Were we to reinstall the head the folded hood and waving to the likelihood of excessive oil passers-by. Good times. consumption was likely, so it was decided to remove and rebuild the engine. By this time Rick had a full schedule with several vintage Ferrari engines. He suggested that I have the machine work done by NVR The author in his 2001 XK8. racing in Butler Wisconsin,

another first quality old time Unfortunately, the story has a The Jag Whisperer race engine shop. Tom, the sad ending. I was unable to By: Jan Schlabowske owner has experience with complete the restoration because Photo credit: Jan Schlabowske Jaguar engines and even has an my first marriage was on the engine Dynamometer to run complete rebuilds for high rocks and I lost the E-type in the Notes from the Shop bitter divorce that ensued. In the performance. Since I did the years that followed, I bought and disassembly down to the January 2019 sold many cars, but another E- crankshaft and pistons, NVR type just wasn’t in the cards. It will only do the basic short To continue the saga of the 64 E seems that the price of E-types block rebuild and reassembly type. Upon doing a always rose faster than my will be done in our shop. compression test we found two income stream. I eventually left adjacent cylinders with low It was fortunate that we the mechanic trade and went to compression. We performed a decided to rebuild the engine. work at a local retailer as a cylinder leakage test, and As the parts were being cleaned salesperson. Almost 40 years discovered a slight head gasket we discovered a problem that later, I retired and started leak. The head was removed could have caused disastrous looking at listings on Craigslist and sent to a shop that is damage. The outer rotor in the for used Jaguars. I noticed that probably one of the finest exotic oil pump was cracked

completely through. Neither I positions as 2018. Don nor any of my friends in the Huebschen, new board trade have ever seen such a member, volunteered to step problem. Running the engine into the treasurer’s position. would have quickly destroyed He is taking over for John many of the rotating parts, Boswell who has served as Crankshaft, Cam shafts etc. treasurer many times

throughout his 30 some years The Carburetors are back from on the board. Thank you John Joe Curto. Photos of a Carb and for all your hours spent. John the oil pump are below. will still be serving as Concours Chairman and Chief Judge. CARB Reina International Auto

Also new to the board is Jan 12730 West Capitol Drive Schlabowske and Dave Warren. Brookfield, WI 53005 They are considered directors. 262-781-3336 reinaintlauto.com/vehicle-inventory/ Jan will handle marketing,

advertising and co-chair events. 1999 Ferrari 355 F1 Spider Dave is our dealer liaison and $79,995 will also be an event chairman. They all came up with some great ideas for the year which

you can see in the calendar of events. They also left some of the ideas on the table because

OIL PUMP the calendar looks pretty full.

We are however always looking for ideas and members to help implement those ideas. Please feel free to contact any of 1959 Triumph TR3 the board members with your $22,995 ideas. Members who have volunteered to chair the events on our 2019 calendar are: Carl Board Planning Session and Carrol Jensen, Jan Schlabowske, Mike and Deb Wisconsin Jaguar Ltd. board of Korneli, Dave & Lori Warren, directors spent the afternoon John & Bunni Boswell, Dick on Sunday January 26 th , and Karen Diercksmeier, brainstorming and planning a Kristie Malone & Mark and calendar of events for the 2019 Kris O’Meara. Thank you year. Feel the need to help? We feel Reina International Auto the need for help! The first piece of business that for your support of needed to be taken care of was LAST BIT OF BUSINESS Wisconsin Jaguars Ltd . selecting the club officers. Mike Forgot to pay your dues? Korneli, Mark O’Meara, Dick SEND YOUR CHECK Diercksmeier and Sandy Block TODAY PLEASE! agreed to serve in the same

Wisconsin Jaguar Ltd. Members are eligible for a 10% discount on our interior kits and interior pieces such as tops and boots.

Thank you Muncie Imports & Classics and OSJI for your support of Wisconsin Jaguar Ltd.

It was really nice to We would also like the correct answer. have members send stories and more content for the website. It’s a Mecca, powered tech articles for the newsletter Under the “Gallery” tab we by an XK 120 engine. It was last year. For 2019 you will see have a place to put pictures of designed and built by George a change with support from our member’s cars. Send high Boyd at the age of 19 in 1953. sponsors and advertisers. resolution photos to Dick at He completed the car in 1955. I am still asking you all [email protected] The car company was the to consider writing an article “Mecca Motor Company” and sending pictures of car CAN YOU GUESS? which he registered with the related events, projects you are In the October issue of the State of Illinois. working on and more. “Special Breed” Mike showed George raced the Mecca at a I will also continue the you a picture of this Jaguar few tracks. He started on a “Peek Inside the Pride” powered car. No one guessed second car which he was going column, with members writing to call the Matador but life got about themselves and their in the way. The Korean War, a experience with their cars and wife and family put an end to the club. Send articles to: the Mecca Motor Company. [email protected] Stay tuned for the full story! Editor: Deb Korneli