Here's an introduction to new member families with just enough information to make us curious to learn more.
Matthew Pfaffly and Strand Hoagland: I'm a San Francisco-based pilot for United Airlines and Strand is a Vice President in the technology division of Bank of America. While often very busy with careers and our locally-rescued Chocolate Labrador, Chip, we share a love for our 1987 Jaguar Series III. With just over 9,000 miles she is perfect in every way, 100 percent original and a fun labor of love that we enjoy together. We both look forward to participating in future events and getting to know you.
Dale and Marilyn Lillard:Dale and Marilyn have been married 5 years, after getting engaged on 2011’s Copperstate 1000 (one of 11 Copperstates they've run). They have a collection of 1930’s classic cars and 1950’s and 1960’s muscle cars and purchased their 1970 E-Type two years ago. Dales says it's always been one of his favorite cars and Marilyn decided she wanted one when she saw it on a garage tour. Dale's company, Lansdale Semiconductor Inc, manufactures obsolete integrated circuits primarily for the military, a business idea he picked up from the automotive aftermarket. He bought up tooling from Motorola and Phillips in the 1990’s when they exited the military circuit business.
Bob Marcks: Since 1952, when he graduated from the ArtCenter College of Design, Bob has been designing and marketing cars and trucks for Ford, Raymond Loewy, Chrysler, and in his own design and ad firms. Design guru Robert Cumberford has known Bob for more than 50 years and says, "He has been enormously influential in the American automobile industry, both in design and marketing. Almost single-handed, he brought back the American convertible, created a compact limousine, and established the enormously successful 'Big Rig' look for Dodge pickups at Chrysler."
Below: Bob is a fan of convertibles and thinks Studebaker should have produced this Loewy-designed version in 1953.
Duane and Mary Eitel:Over the years I have owned various XJS Jaguars. Currently I have a 1989 with the TWR body kit and looking for a full TWR car. Employed as the City of Casa Grande Traffic Engineer, and live in Casa Grande. Hobbies are sailing, racing my Formula Mazda, and volunteering with the Museum of Casa Grande. Member of the Arizona Yacht Club, Lake Pleasant Sailing Club, on the board of directors for AZ Region Sports Car Club of America, also President of the AZ National Society of Professional Engineers.
Arthur Chilcote: Arthur says he has two S-Type Jags, an '01 and an '04. He also says he's enjoyed racing a Porsche 914 in SCCA and HSA, winning championships. He now has a horse ranch in Cave Creek.
Curtis and Kimberly Bilow: I was originally from Michigan, but I’ve lived in Arizona for almost 15 years. I started working at an auto shop as soon as anyone would hire me, at 15. The first car I learned to drive and work on was a 1962 MGA, which started my obsession with British cars. When I turned 18, I even bought a 1972 Norton Commando to restore for my first motorcycle. While the Norton is long gone, my father and I restored the MGA a few years ago and it currently resides in his garage.
I discovered a true "barn find" 1967 XK-E in the middle of Scottsdale. It hasn’t run in almost 35 years, but I immediately started the restoration process and hope to have it complete in 2016.
My wife Kimberly and I live in Gilbert with our two little girls and one dog (Wylie). My other child is a 1968 GTO that doesn't get discussed much in our house! That’s another story!
Floyd E. Harris Jr.: My love affair with Jaguar automobiles began in 1963 when I purchased a 1963 Jaguar XKE Roadster from Stewart Motors in Phoenix. I considered it to be one of the most beautiful automobiles ever created. (Enzo Ferrari had the same opinion.) In the following years I acquired 8 more Jaguars: 2-XK140s, 1-XK120, 2-XJ6s, 2 more XKEs and my current Jaguar, a 2000 XK8 Convertible.
I was fortunate to have access to two Jaguar experts, Vic Brown and Pete Perrini. When problems arose which neither I nor the dealer could solve they were invaluable. Other than heating problems with the early Jaguars, all of the Jaguars were very reliable and their road handling was spectacular. In the 60s before Hwy 93 was widened and radar was used I made more than one trip to Las Vegas in under four hours.
Marty Ross and Julie Lafaye: I live in Parks, AZ, up in the North Country, about halfway between Flagstaff and Williams, in the middle of the National Forest. I've been here for almost 11 years and live with my beloved significant other, Julie Lafaye. We share our home with our two dogs and three (Jag) cats. I own my own business called Mobile Body Tech, LLC (www.mobilebodytech.com), doing vehicle appearance reconditioning for all the auto dealers in town.
Last October, while repairing a bumper at a local Kia dealership, I noticed a very nice 1998 XJ8 Vanden Plas at the back of the parking lot. They made me a deal I couldn't refuse. That was it. I was hooked. After a little minor work and a new paint job the car is just beautiful now. But I really loved the XK. After reading so much about the prowess of the 5.0 supercharged engine, I found a 2011 with only 19,700 miles on it.
No. the Jags aren't the most practical vehicles to own in the part of the state where we live, but you can't beat the fun factor.
Betsy and Tom Toll moved to Surprise AZ for the second time last December. They'd previously been snow birds but are here now full time. Betsy says, "We have always had a convertible of one type or another. When we moved this time, we sold our Saab Convertible and thought we would have just one car and a golf cart. We decided we needed a hobby car instead of the golf cart. I had always wanted a Jaguar. A neighbor had a 1963 XKE convertible and it was such a good looking car. When we found our XK8 with only 24K miles and in perfect condition [from Rosemary Price], we snapped it up and have been delighted ever since. We look forward to joining in on Club events and meeting other Jaguar enthusiasts. Our previous home for 40+ years was Fort Collins, Colorado."
Gary Barker offered this brief bio: "Retired military, retired pro baseball, currently batting coach for White Sox, USC." There's brief and there's brief. How about a little more Gary? "I played shortstop for the Sox back in the 60s. My only Jaguar is a 98 XK8 coupe. I quit baseball and joined the army in 1967."
Richard Smith says, "My wife Marsha and I both grew up in New York City but have been living in the Phoenix area for 41 years. I am an attorney specializing in tax and estate planning matters. I have always been interested in cars, having had a collection of BMWs over the years and a Ferrari 308 GTS. I fell in love with the F-Type when I first saw it and traded in my last BMW for one in March. I look forward to participating in Club activities."
John Lowney sent us this: "I'm married and have two sons, Colin and Ian. We moved from our hometown, Napa, California, in June of 2000. I'm an 8-year veteran of the Air Force and after I left in 1986, I went to work for a shop called British Sports Cars in Santa Clara, California. I wore many hats, being responsible for detailing customer cars, ordering parts and doing mechanical work. I later worked in San Francisco at British Motors as a test driver and working on Land Rovers.
"I literally grew up with Jaguars and have a great affinity for British cars, especially Jaguars. (I call myself a British Car Guy because that's what I am!) I'm very glad to be in the Jaguar club now and I look forward to working with everybody."
Welcome John and Sonia Breslow, who have just joined JCCA and bring with them a mouth-watering collection of Jaguars. Here's John's modest description:
"My name is John Breslow and my wife of 40 years is Sonia. We are both from Nebraska. I owned a welding supply company and sold out in 2006. I recently was asked if I sold out at the right time and I said I missed it by 20 minutes. Sonia purchased our first Jaguar about 15 years ago. It's a XKE. We now have five Jags. We enjoy retirement in Arizona and spend the summers in Montana. We love driving our cars and making new friends along the way."
That's John in their XKSS, which shares the garage with two E-Types and a Mark II and an E-Type Lightweight continuation.