An early JCC Tas. member, Ken DeBomford (dec.), was a lover of Jaguars owning many, including a MK 5 drophead, MK 7’s and MK 2’s.

He was taken by the design of the SS 100 and MG TF, and used these as an inspiration for the design of his car.

Ken was no stranger to making things, small and large, including a glider, as he was a long-time member of the gliding club. His talents also extended to musical instruments, toys and other objects, usually presented to his wife and family as gifts.

He also made a large model of the sailing ship, “Carnegie” which is now being cared for by his daughter in a room constructed especially for and big enough to accommodate it.

With this wealth of experience and knowledge, building a car should not be a problem.

The build started with a shortened MK7 chassis and the complete drivetrain from an early manual, O’drive MK 2.

To make the body, Ken decided to build it completely in timber, see pics., to use as a buck for fibreglass moulds, from which of course he made a fibreglass body.

The car was completed and registered in 2006 using the registration number from the MK 2 donor car and driven on various outings.

The man was a truly gifted and humble individual who had no thought of time being important. He also did not like waste, and to that end, the timber body was cut up, 🥺, to use for other projects.

The fibreglass moulds were also in line for the chop until, son Paul stepped in and saved them.

Ken’s son Paul is now the guardian of the car and will soon pass it onto his son, who has agreed it should be kept in the family.

I think Ken was truly an inspiration to many.

(Click on any image to enlarge)