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Hello to all, and let me start by saying this—I’m a Dinosaur. My love for cars runs deep, spanning decades, continents, and countless miles. This journey began in 1979 when I purchased my very first Jaguar—a second-hand XJ with 89,000 kilometers on the odometer. That car was nothing short of a masterpiece. Over the next 118,000 kilometers, it served me faithfully, never faltering, never complaining. When I finally sold it, it wasn’t because I wanted to; it was because I thought I needed something different for my high-mileage lifestyle.
So, I made what I believed was the right decision at the time and bought a brand-new Mercedes 240 D. Driving 75,000 kilometers a year, I thought I needed a car that could handle the load and inexpensive diesel. I quickly regretted that decision. Despite its reputation, the Mercedes was a dog of a car—slow, unresponsive, and utterly uninspiring. Six months later, I couldn’t stand it anymore and sold it to my veterinarian.
Desperate to reclaim the joy of driving, I purchased a new black-on-black Mercedes 190 EVO 16V. It was fast, nimble, and had a beautiful interior that I liked immediately. But soon, I discovered its Achilles heel—oil consumption. Every time I filled up with gas, I had to add oil. When I took the issue to the Mercedes dealership, they told me it was normal for that car. I was furious. I felt betrayed by a brand I had trusted.
Determined to correct my mistake, I found myself back at the Jaguar dealership. It was like returning home. They took the 190 EVO off my hands for a fair price, and I drove away in a brand-new 1986 Jaguar XJ6 (Series III). The moment I sat behind the wheel, I knew I was where I belonged. The Jag was everything I had missed—the comfort, the smooth driving, the quality leather. Over the years, I put 220,000 kilometers on that car, and it never let me down. I was in heaven.
But my love for cars didn’t stop there. I indulged my passion for speed and luxury with two Ferraris—first a Mondial, and then a red-on-natural-leather Testarossa. These were my toys, my guilty pleasures. They were fast, loud, and everything a Ferrari should be.
In the mid-1990s, I moved to the United States, ready to start a new chapter in my life. I left Europe behind, but my love for driving followed me across the Atlantic. The wide-open spaces of America’s great outdoors called to me, and I answered with a series of SUVs—Hummers, Jeeps, 4Runners—perfect for exploring the country’s vast landscapes. They may not have had the speed of the German autobahn, but they fulfilled a different kind of passion—my love for adventure.
And so, life went on. But as they say, first love never dies. My heart still longed for that unique connection I had with my Jaguars. So here I am, many years and countless vehicles later, in love once again. I’ve returned to my roots with a new baby—a Jaguar that reignites that old flame. It feels like coming full circle, rekindling a love affair that began so many years ago.
This journey through cars has been more than just about getting from point A to point B. It’s been a journey of passion, discovery, and a few mistakes along the way. But through it all, my love for the Jaguar has remained, proving that some things truly are timeless.
Fellow Jaguar enthusiasts, enjoy the ride, and thank you for the welcome to the Forum,
