Interview: John Coombs

John Coombs was literally born into the motoring business, as his multi-talented craftsman father was already working with automobiles when John appeared on the scene. As John grew up he eventually began racing, soon moving successfully into 500-cc Formula Three. Eventually, the family firm, Coombs & Sons, Ltd., became known for upgrading various Jaguar production cars, not just through bolting on extra equipment, but instead by providing properly engineered enhancements that improved the entire car. And, of course, they raced the finished products, fielding entries for a variety of well-known drivers including Graham Hill, Colin Chapman and Roy Salvadori. Mike Jiggle recently sat down with Coombs to review his extensive career in the sport.

I suppose it came as no coincidence you would be involved in motoring and motor racing given that the family home had once housed a forge, later a coach builder and in more modern times a garage?