Watch For Car Scoundrel

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 11, 11 August 1987, Page 5 (Supplement)

Watch For Car Scoundrel

Tubby Woods had never ridden in a Jaguar — let alone driven one, until a month ago. Then his 1982 Jaguar Sovereign XJ6 arrived in Taumarunui from England. Tubby's son, Darrin, went to the United Kingdom recently for a working holiday and when he saw the cheaper prices compared to the New Zealand cost, he decided it would be a good idea to import one back to New Zealand. The striking red car with black interior and full walnut

dash has something of a history to its short lifespan. It was built for an F.nglish Lord before being sold to a car dealer, who used it as his own private vehicle. The Jaguar certainly is one of the luxury cars in the automotive world today and is extremely quiet and smooth. It is comfortable and a pleasure to drive. As Tubby says, "You can drive to Hastings and get out feeling as though you've just driven into Taumarunui from Manunui."

Manv extras are incorporated in the Jaguar. It has air conditioning, electric mirrors and windows and cruise control. "Many extras on most cars are standard on this vehicle," says Darrin, and he gave the four speakers the car is equipped with, as an example. However, Darrin has a word of caution for prospective importers of vehicles. He says there are many rogues - whom he describes as "Arthur Daley types". He also says it is not as

easy to import a car as people think. There are many requirements to adhere to and the necessary steamcleaning of vehicles before the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will clear them, is just one example. Darrin is not hesitant to admit that he was proud to bring a car back to New Zealand but his biggest disappointment is the criticism from certain sectors of the public. Tubby plans to keep his new car for his own use in the meantime, but eventually he may sell it.