Cat out of the Bag!
The Competition Department 1961 - 1966
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Books on the Jaguar marque abound on the shelves of bookstores worldwide so why then yet another book on the Jaguar?
Between September 1961 and March 1966 Peter Wilson was a member of Department 21 at Browns Lane, the Competition Department, during what was ostensibly known as the 'Lightweight' E-type era.
Over the intervening years he has never failed to be amused and amazed by the number of people who claimed to work in the Competition Department, many of whom did indeed work for Jaguar, but in reality never set foot through the Competition Department door - and many others who didn't even know where the door was!
It is against this background that there must be room for this Jaguar book based on Peter's detailed notes and records from the time - and written by someone who was very definitely there!
By definition it is a very personal account of life in Brown's Lane Competition Department and exactly as Peter Wilson experienced it. Time to let the cat out of the bag!
© Peter Wilson
Jaguar montage
The Author
Born and brought up in the area around Carlisle Peter Wilson was enthused by the motor car from a very early age. He began his career at Citadel Motors, a small garage in Carlisle, however, an offer of an engineering apprenticeship from Jaguar took him to Coventry and the very heart of the motor industry. Within two years he had advanced to the Competition Department where he worked for five and a half years.
On leaving Jaguar in 1966 he embarked on a long and varied career path through the industry progressing through a number of engineering management positions in British Leyland. This culminated, in 1991, with his appointment as Programme Manager / Rover 400 with specific responsibility for engineering.
Subsequently, following a forty year career he took early retirement in 1999. He is married to Anne, with one daughter, and lives in Warwickshire.
© Peter Wilson
Competition Department June 1962
Included with this book is a reproduction (but to a smaller scale) of a folded print. It is something which has been in the author's possession since 1961.
What is it? Well the rumours that Jaguar looked into Formula 1 in the 'sixties were never substantiated: whether this print provides the evidence..... well who knows? Perhaps it was no more than just a design exercise? Speculation can go on forever, but it is a very detailed, quarter scale full dimensional chassis drawing, with the title 'F1 Layout'. At the very least it is very intriguing - and most definitely more than a few lines on the back of a 'fag' packet!
After studying the drawing countless times, the author has penned his own interpretation of how he thought the 1960's F1 Jaguar might have looked (below).
© Peter Wilson
Peter's interpretation of 'F1 Layout'.
Reviews
Steve Hole, editor tkc
'This book takes the reader to the glory days, enthralling and informing as it does so. Brilliant. Buy it today!'
Michael Bowler, editor The Automobile
'...it gives a rare insight into very interesting work'
Tim Loakes, ex-Jaguar apprentice
'Well, the cat is really out of the bag now...a first class book.'
Peter Taylor, ex-Jaguar apprentice
'It's wonderful, just being back there again! A great and important edition to recording Jaguar's history.'
Review - Motorsport News
Cat out of the Bag is an in-depth examination of Jaguar's competition department between 1961 and 1966. When we say in-depth we're not joking -Wilson's attention to detail is staggering.
Wilson had a slight advantage when he came to research his book, because he worked in the Jag's competition department at the time. Most of the information in the book has been derived from his own sources, records and diaries. Pages from his notepad are included in the book.
Cat out of the bag also investigates the rumoured 'lost' Jaguar F1 project.of the early 1960's. Included with the bok is a print of a design study that suggests the Coventry marques seriously considered entering F1 at the time.
The price might scare off casual enthusiasts but the amount of work Wilson has put into this book makes it a definitive account for Jaguar addicts and a captivating insight into a Golden age of motorsport.
