Once again J.D Classics opened the gates of their Essex-based headquarters, on November 16, 2014 to give enthusiasts a chance to see behind the scenes at one of Europe’s top classic car specialists. Often attracting crowds in excess of 1,000 with enthusiasts and car clubs travelling considerable distances, these breakfast mornings allow visitors the opportunity view J.D Classics’ seven showrooms plus their immaculate workshops that house some of the world’s most unique classic race and road cars. Visitors also get to view the work that goes into making the concours- and competition-winning cars that J.D Classics produces.
An 8:30 to 12:30 p.m. time slot is not really long enough to take it all in, but the J.D staff, engineers and race mechanics do give up their Sunday morning to be on hand to answer the many questions guests have. Visitors are free to explore most areas of the workshops from the body shop through to the machine shop, work-in-progress projects are also there for scrutiny, this all provides a relaxed but eye-opening morning. This latest breakfast event appeared to show more unusual road cars than previously, with several rarely seen Alfas and Ferraris on show. As J.D are Jaguar specialists, big cat enthusiasts are always spoiled for choice.
For this final Breakfast of 2014 J.D had invited Sir Stirling Moss along to give a one-hour presentation and a question and answer session. Despite being at the NEC Classic Car show the previous day, “Mr. Motor Racing” was on top form recounting his epic drive in the 1955 Mille Miglia and the fact that “Jenks,” his race navigator, had trouble in keeping his breakfast down—and failed. Stirling took great delight in reminiscing on the 1958 Argentine GP, when in order to beat the opposition he ran without a tire change and wore them through to the canvas. “What’s the difference between stupidity and bravery—not much” he admitted.
Finally, came the question from the audience: Why had he given up on his early passion for horse riding? Answer, “You never know if a horse is going to understeer or oversteer.” Having entertained the audience for well over his allotted time, Sir Stirling then posed for photographs and chatted with many of his admirers.
J.D Classics are planning more “behind the scenes” Breakfasts for 2015, and we await those dates with eager anticipation.
