The Jaguar XJ-SC, undoubtedly the most beautiful of all the XJS range, celebrated its 20th birthday on 21st July 2002 at Wimpole Hall, Cambridge, England. Ian and Byron Hissey attended the event representing both their own ownership of this marque and the JDCA of Australia. The event was held in conjunction with the XJ day, which was a double bonus for Byron as the proud owner of his Series 1 XJ6.

Our trip started firstly in Germany, where we explored Frankfurt, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Heidelberg, Wiesbaden, Munich, and Passau, and I have to say for Byron it was a different experience travelling on their autobahns legally at 200 kph, and being overtaken by Porsches, BMWs, Audis, Jaguars etc. On our way down to Munich, we enjoyed a days boat trip down the Rhine, viewing the vineyards on all the hillsides and the many castles that dominate this busy fast flowing river.

In Munich we visited the BMW factory, and while we have owned several BMW's, we were both a little disappointed at the direction they seem to be taking their cars, looking more mainstream like many of the Japanese brands. This may be necessary for survival in today's market, but at least BMW will still have some individual and dynamic special vehicles.

Byron is just finishing his mechanics apprenticeship, and in his TAFE course achieved 12 Distinctions and 7 Credits, so he then took off on a 2-week sailing holiday we gave him in southern Turkey on an 80ft yacht, sleeping under the stars, swimming among the ruins of ancient cities, and a week in Istanbul, exploring the Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Bosphorous and many other stimulating places, all with wide eyed amazement as it is his first real experience of eastern culture.

Meanwhile, I took a boat trip down the Danube from Passau, where the River Ilz and River Inn join, to Linz in Austria. This was magnificent, the Danube winding sedately through the Bavarian forest region, with little hamlets on the slopes and hundreds of bicyclists pedalling along the banks. It is heart wrenching now to see so much of this beautiful countryside underwater and partially destroyed with the recent catastrophic floods.

I then went on to England to stay with friends, an E-type owner and ex Jaguar employee from the development section in the 60's, who at that time had the onerous task of driving E-types in trials, before its release, to see what would break. I used this time to research family history, meeting some 3rd cousins and visiting villages and homes where my ancestors lived. Quite a feeling to trace family back to the 1500's, and amazing how family traits reoccur throughout the generations, including the same cupboard skeleton reappearing!

Byron then joined me from Turkey for sightseeing in England, a visit to the Jaguar factory, where we saw the new X350, and wonder what the reaction to this new, higher model, will be, and the ever inspiring Goodwood Festival of Speed. Goodwood, truly amazing, turns on the nostalgia with all the incredible racing machines of the past. Did they really race at 180 mph on those 4" wide cross ply tyres, with no seat belt, just goggles and leather cap - mind-blowing.

The plan was then to fly off to Copenhagen to visit Ole Sommer and his private 80-car museum. You may remember from my XJ-SC Round Australia article, Ole and his wife Bea came to Australia for the XK120 Commemorative Run from Darwin to Alice Springs in August 2001, in which they drove Ian Cummins' Series 1 E-type. Ole's museum is truly unique, with many fine examples of cars and trucks, including both a Le Mans winning C-type and D-type, which he still competes with in historic events! Unfortunately, due to other commitments occurring, we had to cancel this trip till another time.

The main reason for my trip to England was for the XJ-SC 20th birthday celebrations. In June I published an article with all the details on the magnificent XJ-SC in preparation for this day. The all important day as held at Wimpole Hall, just outside Cambridge, and what a day it was - what a celebration!

We set off by train from Lymington in the South amid sunshine, but 4 hours later on arrival north, the sky was overcast with a chill wind blowing, and Byron and I only in shirtsleeves! But with a smile from the Gods, not a drop of rain all day. As the XJ-SC 20th birthday celebration was held in conjunction with the XJ day, the parade and display in front of the Wimpole Hall consisted of XK120, XJ6, XJ12, XJC, E-type, XJS, XJ-SC and an XJ220.

It is inspiring walking past all the XJ's, E-types, XK's, XJS's, including Le Mans, TWR's, XJRS's, Listers, Linx etc to the 70 odd XJ-SC's all arranged in the central position. There was Princess Diana's XJ-SC, XJ-SC's from Netherlands and Germany, the 3 cars and families that had travelled over from Belgium, XJ-SC's and families from all over Britain, beautiful Concours cars to everyday transport XJ-SC's.

Not sure where the time went, talking to other owners about all things Jaguar, with not a moment to spare, next thing it was presentation time, where every XJ-SC received a Certificate, Jaguar Cars "Car of the Day", Best Number Plate, Distance Travelled, both for cars and people, (which Paul Phillips from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Ian and Byron Hissey from Sydney, Australia, won), best dressed etc. And of course John Bleasdale, who I think should be honorary named "Sir Bleasie", received special recognition from John Maries Exec Director of Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, whole heartily cheered by everyone there.

Another week of sightseeing around southern England and London, then Byron, somewhat matured by the experience, headed home, while I spent another week finishing some more family research, finding family graves back to 1558, quite moving all this discovering. When I found the farm that my great-grandfather was brought up on, and the house he lived in with the original rose bush from which he brought cuttings to Australia in 1840, and which now grow at our house, I was overwhelmed.

After all this excitement in England, it was time to head off to Thailand for some quiet time visiting temples and a 2 day boat cruise down the Praya River from Arathuya to Bangkok, before also heading home, to face the music from my wonderful, long suffering and understanding wife Jan and young teenage daughter April.

Ian Hissey