Canterbury Classic Car Show Aims for World Record with Jaguars

On Saturday, classic car enthusiasts will gather at Risingholme Park in Opawa, Christchurch, for a special event dedicated to vintage Jaguars. This free exhibition will feature a display of 60 classic and modern Jaguar cars, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the production of the first Jaguar MkVII. Organiser Dr. Richard Waugh expressed excitement about the event, highlighting the strong Jaguar community in Christchurch, which is notably distant from the original Coventry factory in England.

Christchurch’s Jaguar legacy can be traced back to Archibalds, which became the first Jaguar franchise in New Zealand in 1950. Dr. Waugh noted that models such as the MkVII, MkVIII, and MkIX are particularly sought after in the region. “Jaguar was a very advanced car at the time, one of the world’s fastest and best handling saloons,” he explained. These vehicles attracted a clientele of businessmen and affluent farmers, establishing their status as coveted possessions.

Dr. Waugh, who owns a 1954 Jaguar MkVIIM, mentioned that only about 25 of the rare MkVII, MkVIII, and MkIX models remain in Canterbury. He aims to set a world record for the largest gathering of Jaguars, with hopes of showcasing around 20 of these iconic cars. “We’ve put the call out nationwide,” he said, encouraging Jaguar owners from across the country to participate.

The Jaguar MkVII has a rich history, having been owned by several notable figures, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who received her car in 1955. Her MkVIIM saloon, distinguished by a unique metallic claret colour, remained with her until 1973. The MkVII also has a legacy in motorsport; British racing driver Stirling Moss famously drove one, and an Irish team clinched victory in the 1956 Monte Carlo Rally using the model.

Closer to home, esteemed crime novelist Dame Ngaio Marsh owned two Jaguars, appreciating their racing heritage and design. While her second Jaguar, a 1960 XK150 sports car, is privately owned in Wairarapa, the whereabouts of her first Jaguar, a 1951 XK120, remain a mystery. “It became a well-recognized car around Christchurch,” Dr. Waugh said, noting his efforts in the mid-1990s to trace its history for the Ngaio Marsh House and Heritage Trust. “The trail went cold in Hamilton. I suspect it may be tucked away somewhere or perhaps went to Australia.”

Dr. Waugh is also working on a book that highlights the significance of the MkVII, describing it as revolutionary for its time. “It was the fastest four-door saloon in 1950, probably the best handling with a very revolutionary engine,” he stated. The upcoming book profiles 50 classic cars in New Zealand and is published by a charitable trust, following Dr. Waugh’s previous work, Classic Jaguars in New Zealand, released in 2021.

Beyond his literary pursuits, Dr. Waugh, an ordained Methodist minister since 1985, has been involved in various memorial projects, including nine permanent memorials for New Zealand airliner accidents dating back to the 1930s. He is currently leading a campaign for a national memorial dedicated to the Erebus disaster, which he describes as a “glaring omission” in the remembrance of New Zealand’s worst civil disaster.

The choice of Risingholme Park as the venue for Saturday’s event holds historical significance. The park was gifted to the citizens of Christchurch by Sir John McKenzie, a prominent businessman who owned one of the first MkVII Jaguars in the city in 1951. This connection emphasizes the enduring legacy of Jaguar in Christchurch and the community’s passion for these remarkable vehicles.

As anticipation builds, the classic car show promises to be a vibrant celebration of automotive history and a testament to the enduring allure of Jaguar cars.