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Group 44
Had breakfast with Bob Tullius of Group 44 fame last weekend. We Jaguar enthusiasts owe Bob a debt of gratitude for not only keeping the Jaguar competition flame alive during some challenging times but establishing the marque as a force to be reckoned with. After many years of success racing MG and Triumph cars, Jaguar approached Group 44 Inc. in the early 70s about trying to make the E type more attractive to the buying public. E types by this time had devolved into unreliable, porcine, poor handling bloated charactures of what they had once been. They were piling up on the docks with no customers to take them. Less than a year later Group 44 Inc. would be fielding an e type in B/stock SCCA racing, blowing away Corvettes and Cobras to the surprise of everybody. Eventually Bob won the the National championship in that class with the Etype, and sales reflected it. Shortly after Group 44 inc entered the Trans Am series with another overweight Jaguar product, the XJS. He won two Trans Am Championships in that car as well as the Manufacturer's Championship for Jaguar. Then he set his sights on prototype racing Jaguars at IMSA and Le Mans.
Here are some photos of one of his GTP Jaguars, and a small portion of his many trophies- Group 44 won over 300 races! Think what he could have done with the F-Type! https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...5350d09e81.jpghttps://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...8245b3151d.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...ee12e7f015.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...3e46f27890.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...d8484f0da1.jpg |
Wow, not only that but a T-6, a T-26, what I think is a Model 75! And what is under the cover on jack stands?
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The cars in their natural habitat:
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...b1c90825ca.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...c48ab34628.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...01e2fdf2b5.jpg When I was an SCCA Scrutineer, I had the opportunity to tech inspect the XJS a couple of times. |
The planes are a BT 13, ( looks like a T6), PT 26, PT 17, and a King Air C90. Under the cover is the last Triumph Tr 6, I think it has less than 200 original miles. No it’s not for sale. He has several other cars of similar status. Unhingd posted some nice action photos. Interestingly after over a decade of racing Jaguars, Bob never owned a street driven Jag. |
PT-17 is a Model 75 ;) My mistake on the T-13. I just glanced quickly and assumed it was a T-6.
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Awesome story!
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Hats off to Mr Tullius, for making the "Cats" live up to their name, and making us love them even more. Wow.
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Wow. Thanks SJones for a simply outstanding post! Legendary! |
This is awesome and perfect timing, here in California, I have the black plate ready for me to pick up from DMV (I'm still waiting for the car). It's MY19.5 F Type WHITE and the plate will say "GROUP 44". For sure will share pics when I get the car (currently sitting in port at San Diego, waiting for god knows what). Soon though!
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Originally Posted by KarimEls
(Post 1953459)
This is awesome and perfect timing, here in California, I have the black plate ready for me to pick up from DMV (I'm still waiting for the car). It's MY19.5 F Type WHITE and the plate will say "GROUP 44". For sure will share pics when I get the car (currently sitting in port at San Diego, waiting for god knows what). Soon though!
here are some shots at Monterey rolex reunion last year...https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...f17488977.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...6feeecb5c.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...73a486160.jpeg |
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Originally Posted by Stuart@VelocityAP
(Post 1953691)
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Originally Posted by 89 Jacobra
(Post 1953722)
Cute, but not quite the same thing.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...04b594d9f6.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...c2e83cc45f.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...cadf2eb96a.jpg |
According to Bob, Group 44 Inc did race spitfires, and won at least two national championships in them. Bob himself did not drive these cars, but did drive a factory spitfire fastback at Le Mans. This car looked like a triumph GT6, but had the spitfire 4 cylinder. |
I had the chance to meet the Group 44 team at the opening race at Road Atlanta in 1970.I had volunteered to work as a Pit Marshal(first race, free entry, what a deal!!). Had no idea who these guys were, but they were fielding some really neat looking cars, and this guy "Tullius" was kind enough to listen to me when I explained that my first car was a Triumph TR-2. He even showed me around the pit area as they were setting up for the race! A true gentleman to take the time in the middle of a race setup.
Move ahead to 2001 and the S.W. Florida Air Show in Punta Gorda, Florida. Military and civilian A/C from all over come in and are on display. I spot a beautiful P-51 Mustang than I can't walk by without stopping and who is sitting with it but Bob Tullius. Of course I introduce myself, ask about the Mustang which is his and remind him of the Road Atlanta race. I'm sure he didn't but he said he remembered me well. We caught up a bit and I got a chance to check out his P-51. He was still a true Gentleman. |
Originally Posted by SamtheSham
(Post 1954510)
I had the chance to meet the Group 44 team at the opening race at Road Atlanta in 1970.I had volunteered to work as a Pit Marshal(first race, free entry, what a deal!!). Had no idea who these guys were, but they were fielding some really neat looking cars, and this guy "Tullius" was kind enough to listen to me when I explained that my first car was a Triumph TR-2. He even showed me around the pit area as they were setting up for the race! A true gentleman to take the time in the middle of a race setup.
Move ahead to 2001 and the S.W. Florida Air Show in Punta Gorda, Florida. Military and civilian A/C from all over come in and are on display. I spot a beautiful P-51 Mustang than I can't walk by without stopping and who is sitting with it but Bob Tullius. Of course I introduce myself, ask about the Mustang which is his and remind him of the Road Atlanta race. I'm sure he didn't but he said he remembered me well. We caught up a bit and I got a chance to check out his P-51. He was still a true Gentleman. |
Originally Posted by Unhingd
(Post 1954519)
His crew was professional and courteous as well. The same can’t be said for Paul Newman’s crew, even though he personally was quite personable and friendly to have a beer with. |
Bob is a life member of JCNA and has been our guest many times--he always loved the club support. One memorable occasion was a free discussion in Phoenix at the AGM with Mike Dale the former President of Jaguar US. They discussed the racing program and their personal relationship. Believe it or not they did all of their work and NEVER had a contract! Pictures exist elsewhere so no need to post one here.
BTW the King Air may have been the prototype for the Jaguar furnished King Air version of later years. Both Mike and Bob are keen on all things that fly! |
Originally Posted by IronMike
(Post 1954617)
You know the rules... Post pics or it never happened.
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Coincidentally, I bought this Group 44 Press Pack on EBAY a few weeks ago for a few dollars. No one else seemed interested in it but having owned 3 XJ-S's over the years I was aware of its significance.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...87fa126f6.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...21e67fd7a.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...89ded17a5.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...faa41bc13.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...739565ec1.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...3c79f045e.jpeg .https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...305760727.jpeg |
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