Walker sticking with ‘Genevieve’

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This article was published 03/03/2023 (982 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was love at first sight for Brandon’s Doug Walker, who insists that as soon as he saw her, he knew. And, as most love stories go, it happened when he least expected it.

In the summer of 2017, an advertisement on a local buy-and-sell website piqued Walker’s interest about a luxury car for sale near Souris even though he already had a pretty great ride, a yellow and black 2004, 40th Anniversary Ford Mustang convertible that he’d only had for two weeks. Still, curiosity compelled him into taking that country drive.

“Oh, my goodness, what a car,” Walker said as he remembered seeing it for the first time.

“This Jaguar is unbelievable, the condition that it was in — and still is. It’s absolutely one of the greatest things I’ve bought in my life. I think I wrote the cheque then and there. Needless to say, the Mustang went up for sale the very next day,” he said with a laugh.

The 1996 Jaguar XJS was produced by the British manufacturer Jaguar from 1975 to 1996 and is a luxury grand tourer, which means it’s designed for high speed and driving long distances — in luxurious comfort.

Walker’s Jaguar has an inline-six engine, also referred to as a straight-six engine, which has six cylinders arranged in a straight line along the crankshaft with 237 horsepower and a top speed of 234 kilometres per hour. It’s also complete with the original leather seats, factory paint job and the famous hood ornament, the leaping jaguar.

The first leaping jaguar was installed on the 1945 model for aesthetic reasons. Older cars had the radiator cap at the front of the hood, so the hood ornament was placed on top of the cap to make it look more appealing.

But over the years, the ornament became a safety concern for pedestrians and a theft concern for owners who were constantly paying to have them replaced. So, in 2005, Jaguar manufacturers decided to remove the ornament altogether.

“I think what makes the Jaguar extra special is that people don’t usually see many of them,” Walker said. “You might see the odd E-Type, a car that was manufactured between 1961 and 1974, but as far as the XJS, I’ve only seen a couple when I go to car shows and they’re a little bit older, so mine is a bit of a rarity.”

Walker’s Jaguar XJS is also a winner at car shows including Western Canada’s largest classic car show called Super Run, held every August long weekend. The event is hosted by Red Deer, Alta., Saskatoon and Brandon on a rotating basis.

It was Brandon’s turn to host Super Run in June 2022, and over the weekend, car enthusiasts took road trips, held meet-and-greets, attended barbecues and presented at the car show with more than 20 different categories including best of show, the best GM, hotrod, and Euro where BMWs, Volkswagens and Jaguars go head-to-head.

Looks matter to Super Run judges, who go over the condition of the body, interior, engine, tires and hubcaps, and the overall quality.

Walker’s Jaguar came out on top, according to event organizer Dave Burba, who is also president of the Road Rebels Car Club. Burba’s what you call an Oldsmobile fan, with the classic wheels to prove it — a 1975 Toronado. But like a true car enthusiast, he has respect for each and every vehicle.

“His Jaguar is absolutely pristine, it’s in very, very good shape, so that’s why he won. It’s just in gorgeous shape,” Burba said.

Car shows are fun to attend, said Walker, but he’s not in it for the accolades. In fact, he was near retirement when he purchased the 40th Anniversary Mustang, and then “Genevieve,” as she is named, came along.

“Winning is a bonus, but even without winning it’s just nice being there meeting people and just having the car there to let everyone else see it and enjoy the beauty of it,” Walker said. “I love all cars from Chevys to Dodge. I love them all, but it’s really something to see the looks of joy and delight on peoples’ faces when they see Genevieve. It’s great.”

Rewind to 1996 to when the Jaguar XJS was brand new and sitting in a dealership somewhere in Canada. It would be listed at $94,640, including tax.

Walker said he doesn’t share how much it’s worth today, but has had it professionally appraised.

“This appraiser has been in the business for more than 40 years and said he’s never seen one in such great condition, even telling me this would be a vehicle he would consider buying.”

It’s not known for sure, but Walker said he thinks he’s the third owner from the time the car rolled off the assembly line.

The original owner got it from Ontario, brought it to Souris, and then it went to Walker, so it only changed hands a couple of times.

“And it won’t change hands anymore as long as I can breathe,” he laughed as he said, “No, it won’t change hands anymore.”

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com