Brian and Catherine Watson proud as punch having just watched the book roll off the printing press at Petone. Photo kindly supplied by Printlink.
By Chrys Ayley
Brian Watson started collecting information about Jaguar vehicles over 20 years ago and recently his dream of publishing a book was realised - with a little help from wife. Mr Watson, 70, a confirmed bachelor for most of his life dedicated himself to cars, engines and all things mechanical. His first book, ?Racing Jaguar in New Zealand,? a true labour of love, rolled off the printing press in Petone at the end of April. Racing Jaguar in New Zealand follows the history of Jaguar designed and engined cars from the pioneering days of racing on paddocks through to modern speedways. The passionate mechanic spent all his life in the Newlands and Johnsonville area and now lives in Paparangi with Catherine, his wife of one year. The task of gathering information about Jaguars started back in 1986 and just ?grew like topsy?, he said. Mr Watson wrote down all he knew about Jaguars then added more information and gathered photographs until a friend suggested he publish a book. There are over 200 photographs with chapters dedicated to different cars, racing results and stories of key characters that raced and restored the cars. Catherine Watson is keen on cars and shares an interest in Jaguars and even jokes she only married him last year because he had a Jaguar-a 1990 Jaguar XJ40. It was Mrs Watson, self styled marketing manager who has helped her husband realise his dream to have the book published. Brain started work as a mechanic in 1955 at Wright Stephenson and worked on Vauxhall cars and Bedford trucks, moving in 1964 to Jaguar Services for 20 years. He also raced and built jaguar engine cars and has owned several jaguar saloon cars. ?My passion is cars and just to work on them is great-there?s always one car people go for and mine is Jaguars.? Mr Watson is planning a second book which will be a continuation of the first and could be finished by this time next year.
