1982 Kougar Jaguar 3 8 Litre

9th Oct, 2024 13:00
Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire
www.handh.co.u...
A well-known and well regarded Kougar Jaguar built for fast road, sprints and hillclimbs
Build No.42 with special bodywork including handmade aluminium nose cone and bonnet, and polished cycle wings, evoking the golden age of the 1950s ‘rocket’ racers
Previously owned by Simon Taylor, former head of Haymarket and Editor for Classic and Sports Car magazine
Impressive specification including 3.8-litre Jaguar engine with triple Dellorto carburettors
In the late 1970s, and Englishman named Rick Stevens set out to build a car of his own based on the legendary British sports cars of the early post-war era, such as Frazer Nash, Allard and H.R.G. These were, after all, the cars of his childhood but they were scarce, sometimes fragile, and likely more than he could afford. So, he decided to build his own version of the classic road-racer but using more modern components. Stevens paired up with the legendary engineers Dick Crosthwaite and John Gardiner (of the now iconic firm Crosthwaite & Gardiner) to design and build his dream sports car. The 1970s was the age of the kit car, with any variety of cheap fiberglass likeness being built to sit atop a VW or some other similarly ubiquitous chassis, usually with extremely dubious results. There were dozens of manufacturers in the game offering conversions and full bodies to build any type of machine imaginable.
Thankfully, Mr. Stevens opted to take a more traditional, British cottage-industry approach. With the help of his engineering consultants, he designed a tubular chassis which accepted the four-wheel independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and running gear from Jaguars. The Kougar, as it would become known, was immediately set apart from the sea of cheap kits thanks to its high-quality construction and sophisticated Jaguar running gear. In terms of styling, the body, cycle arches and distinctive radiator grille were inspired by the Frazer Nash LeMans Replica of 1950, but given a more curvaceous look on the low-slung chassis. The Kougar had a cut-down cockpit with minimal weather protection and a business-like dash that featured a full array of Jaguar instrumentation. While some cars were offered in kit form, most were constructed at the works as this car was designed from the ground up for serial production and finished to a high standard. Today, they are classics in their own right, and a handful of lucky enthusiasts have been able to experience the thrill the Kougar Jaguar Sports can deliver.
Kougar build Number 42, is a well-known example that was built professionally for fast road sprints, and hillclimbs, and first registered in January 1982. Constructed by renowned special builder Robin Beech, he modified the design to feature a handmade aluminium nose cone and bonnet. Also featuring a Jaguar grille and polished cycle wings, it evokes the golden age 1950s ‘rocket’ racers. Mechanically re-engineering the suspension with larger front wishbones, rose joints, and a widened rear track, ‘YCD 244’ utilises a 3.8-litre Jaguar engine with triple Dellorto carburettors, Lynx Engineering alloy inlet manifold and cold air box, allied to a five-speed Getrag manual transmission and Jaguar rear axle with LSD. Adjustable Spax suspension provides the dampening to the wire wheels with Avon tyres. An MSA-Certified roll-bar, bespoke side-exit circuit exhaust, and fire extinguisher are all fitted for competition use.
The cabin features Black quilted seats with Red carpets and currently has 'comfort' road seatbelts, but four-point harnesses are included for competition. Period instruments and a wire-spoked Bluemels Brooklands steering wheel complete the interior, along with Brooklands aero screens. Robin Beech competed in the Kougar widely including on Brighton Speed Trials, before ‘YCD 244’ was sold in 1988 to eminent motoring author, publisher, and commentator Simon Taylor, former head of Haymarket and Editor for Classic and Sportscar Magazine. Regularly featuring in the magazine, he was enthusiastic about the Kougar and retained it for thirteen years. Two subsequent owners of over ten years ensued with the Kougar extensively campaigning in the JDC 'Four Hills and Sprint Championship' at circuits such Harewood, Shelsley, Anglesey, and Prescott. This exceptional Kougar started readily and ran well during our recent photography session and is ready to be enjoyed again, be that on the road or circuit. Supplied with a full tonneau cover, a driver-only chrome roll-hoop, headrest for the MSA roll-bar, and wraparound windscreen, the Kougar also has a history file that includes V5C.
For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
[e-mail]
07538 667452