Planning the 2026 Northern Jaguar Show

Following on from the very successful 2025 show, and realising we would probably have one more chance to put on a large-scale show at Avro because of impending future housing development around the museum, we wanted to put on an extensive but different show from the previous two shows.

Initial discussions with Avro Heritage began in November 2025, however these stalled because of discussions about charging and cost. Once that issue had been resolved, planning began in earnest in January 2026.

The aim was to get at least 200 Jaguars to the event, have a special features area and celebrate 25 years of the X-Type and 40 years of the XJ40, as well as recognised anniversaries of the XK8, X150 and E-Type.

Through working with David Eynons, JEC X-Type Coordinator, we identified a way of getting X-Type owners from across the country to come together. My other ambition was to get an XJ220 to the show and, while this seemed an impossible task in early February, David Markes informed me there might be a chance of getting pre-production car number 8 from the JDHT to attend.

So the work began in terms of logistics. Firstly, where would we keep a £550k car stored overnight? Whilst we considered my two garages, eventually Avro agreed in principle to store the car overnight in their hangar, as long as the insurance was covered by JDHT.

With many emails and discussions between myself, Neil Campbell at JDHT, David Markes and the Avro Trustees, we eventually agreed on a plan. David Markes was of the opinion we could only have the XJ220 at the show as long as it came through the other events of the summer it was attending, so it was with great relief that at exactly 1.15pm on Saturday 22nd August it came into the Vulcan Park with the other JDHT car – the XJ40 Silverstone fire car.

With the JDHT cars now secured for the show, attention turned to other aspects. A band was booked – someone whom I knew played bass guitar. The special cars were asked to attend through contacts and meeting people at car shows. These included the XJS Lister, XJS Eventer, SS100, XJR13 Proteus and D-Type.

In addition, we worked with Ralph Lenox from the North Wales Region, getting together the XK120, XK140 and Mike Tompkinson’s XK150.

We also had to look at liability insurance, risk assessments, impact statements, working with the local residents’ association, arrangements for paying the display fees and how Avro would charge for entrance to the museum. In addition, cover for first aid and portable toilets, as well as the catering side, all had to be agreed.

I received, recorded and responded to every email from individuals and regions wishing to attend the show. In addition, I also worked with Wayne Scott from JEC about publicising the show in the JEC magazine.

Other members followed other aspects. Ian Pendlebury ordered the hi-vis vests for the marshals and ensured members were kept fully informed of progress. Ken Hemings, our Treasurer, collected members’ display fees and ensured all the costs for the show were covered.

In addition, a site plan of where to park everyone was developed and a programme of events during the day was developed and published. A number of meetings with Avro took place leading up to the event to ensure everyone was in agreement about how things would happen on the day.

All we needed was the weather, and the previous two weeks were spent looking at weather apps, but it became evident Sunday 23rd August was going to be a clear and sunny day.

The night before the show, the X-Type Forum met for dinner in Prestbury and in the car park was a magnificent XF hearse, so we invited this car as well to attend.

One of the final things to do was to get someone to open the show. Who else but the JEC Chairman, Peter Leake? Peter had opened the show in 2025 and I had spoken to him at the NEC Classic Car Show in November 2025 about doing the same again in 2026.

So a couple of emails and phone calls ensured he was booked again. Last year he attended our show as part of a bit of a northern tour, having attended a show at Whitby the day before. However, this year he was keen to attend and drove up the previous night so he and his partner could be there bright and early.

So, with all the months of planning and discussion and meetings, hundreds of emails and a good number of phone calls, the big weekend arrived.

On Saturday morning at 11am, volunteers arrived to help set up and get things as ready as possible. This included setting up the band stage area, locating the many numbered posts to tell regions where to park and setting up the bollards, ensuring cars could move freely and safely around the show area.

Then the XJ220 and XJ40 arrived. After many photos and just admiring them, many people got to sit in the cars and I even got to start the XJ220’s engine. What a machine.

Eventually it was time to get the two cars put away for the night and get the JDHT party to their hotel.

You can continue the story in Pete’s report from the day itself:
Northern Jaguar Show 2026 – The Show Day.