Hi, I'm Sam Koogler. I've got a 96 XJS that I've had for about 4 years. I collect old ragtops, Currently up to 10 of assorted (mostly British) models, including Spitfires, MGTD, Riley, Fiats, BMW, and a 69 Ford. Plus a 53 Riley RMF saloon and a 1930 Model A Town Sedan. Retired USAF LtCol and live on the family farm in the Shenandoah Valley where I grew up.

 

Welcome to the Forums.

That is a varied collection, well done.

 

Welcome aboard Sam.

 

Welcome to the forums.

 

Welcome to the forums Sam,

Good to have you with us.

I can see you've already found your way to the XJS forum so there's no need for a link to it from me. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for information on regular issues. You can also use the US Mid Atlantic Region forum by following this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/us-mid-atlantic-65/ to find other members in your region.

Please add vehicle details to your Signature to help others to give relevant advice. Go to the User CP button on the left of the top menu bar, then Settings & Options under Your Control Panel. Select Edit Signature and enter the details.

Enjoy the forums.

Graham

 

welcome to the forum - enjoy!!!!

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forums Sam,

Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help

 

Hello, Sam,
Living on a farm explains how you have room for that Great collection.
Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')

 

You'll fit right in around here, Sam

Cheers
DD

 

From one Virginian to another: WELCOME!!!

Being that I also live in the Shenandoah Valley and grew up in Mint Spring, I have to ask - are you any relation to Tommy Koogler that used to own Walnut Hills campground? I used to run around with his oldest son, Mike.

Dwayne

 

Dwayne,
Yep, he's my uncle. Mike now lives in B'more but Tommy and Gaytha still live up on the hill above the campground, though it was sold years ago. Other son Charlie lives there next door as well with his family.
I live about a 1.5 miles off US11 about 2 miles south of Steeles Tavern.
Where do you get your Jag worked on?
SamK

 

Sam,

Small world isn't it? So if you're near Steeles Tavern, was your mother Dorthea Koogler? She was one of my favorite teachers at Riverheads High School. I saw Toomy and Gaytha at the Mint Spring Post Office a few years ago but can't remember the last time I saw Charlie. Wow!

I am currently not a Jaguar owner. Both the ones I've had were under warranty during my ownership and so were serviced at Brown's Jaguar in Midlothian (now defunct) where I bought them. There is an excellent independent Jaguar shop in Waynesboro: European Autoworks. While they never worked on either of my Jaguars, they exclusively serviced a 1997 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur I had for a number of years. I was always happy with their work and their prices.

Dwayne

 

Yes, my mother was Dorothea. We lost her to altzheimers in 2012. She'd just turned 88.
Charlie worked with his dad for years at the RV sales and service until the bottom fell out. He now has a shop in the Eavers complex in Staunton doing independant car restorations. His wife owns an Ameriprise investments business and was recently featured in Forbes.

 

I lost my mother to the same disease in July of 2012; she had just turned 79. Your mom was an amazing teacher! As I'm sure you're aware, she entertained her students with a cookout at her home, featuring her famous baked beans! I truly don't know if that was an annual thing or not but I had her for two classes in the same year and was privileged to attend. Mike was there too and led everyone who was interested on a hike to the waterfall - it's a beautiful property.

It sounds as if Charlie and his wife are doing well. What is Mike doing in Baltimore and why is he there?

 

Mike remarried and his wife works at Johns Hopkins. He is an assembly line mechanic for one of the big outfits there. I think it's Frito Lay. Keeps the chips flowing.
Sam

 

Mike and I were really close throughout high school but began slowly drifting apart after graduation. Nevertheless, we always said that whenever we got married, the other would be a groomsman in the wedding party. Alas, it was not to be; he married Sandy and I married my first wife on back-to-back dates in June of 1983. He was at his wedding rehearsal on the day I got married and I was on my honeymoon on his wedding date! Other than a handful of chance encounters over the past 45 years, we've had no contact. Despite that, I still consider him a friend and recall many of the good times we had together in our teens.

Dwayne