After many, many years between Jaguars, Steve Garriock from the Central West Car Club is finally reliving the passion of owning one of the most popular and recognisable models from this British marque.
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His 1969 Jaguar Series 1 XJ6 saloon was billed as being the 'finest Jaguar ever' by its founder Sir William Lyons, who started his automotive career building motorcycle sidecars, then sheet metal car bodies under the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1922 with the Jaguar name first appearing in 1935.
Steve has owned his Jaguar for about six years since buying it from a classic car collector in Sydney who had restored and maintained it in the beautiful condition it appears in today.
The passion for Steve goes way back before then.
"I remember as a teenager seeing a metallic blue Mk2 Jaguar with chrome wire wheels regularly parked outside our neighbour's house," Steve recalled.
"My brother and I would rush home from school each day just to get another glimpse of it," he laughed.
As a university student with a love of Jaguars and no money to spend on them, Steve bought himself a 1964 S-Type Jaguar with a burnt-out clutch much to his parents' dismay.
"Armed with little more than a workshop manual and a desire to prove them all wrong, I slaved away removing the engine and gearbox to replace the clutch myself and I had my first Jag," Steve said.
A few years later it became a wedding car for Steve and his wife Marianne, but it wasn't long before family commitments took priority and the Jaguar had to go to finance a new washing machine of all things.
Vowing that he would always one day own another Jaguar, Steve and Marianne spoiled themselves for their 30th wedding anniversary with this Jaguar XJ6.
They've loved owning it ever since.
"It's our Sunday driver," Steve said.
"And when the weather is fine we love to take it out."
His car has the well regarded 4.2 litre XK straight six engine with twin overhead camshafts and twin carburettors with a few minor upgrades for practicality, and being an early SWB model makes it that bit more rare and desirable.
The Central West Car Club meets regularly on the first Wednesday of each month at the Parkes Leagues Club.
The club also hosts a street meet on the second Friday of each month at the outdoor Coles carpark in Clarinda Street, Parkes.
One will be taking place this Friday from 6.30pm.
For anybody interested, there's an upcoming car display at the Forbes Motor Museum, featuring the Shannon's Big Rig on April 24 and 25.
The Show 'n Shine event will run from 10am to 4pm and is open for the whole family.
The day will feature entertainment, driving simulators, gaming consoles, memorabilia displays, information stand and web kiosk.
The Forbes Motor Museum is located on the corner of the Newell Highway and Oxford Street in Forbes.
People can also follow the Central West Car Club on Facebook for other events and information.
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