Channel Tunnel

Sir,

I cannot help agreeing with Mr. Jenkinson in wishing for a go-ahead on the Channel Tunnel project. Last year I took my Jaguar XK140 across to the continent, and on the return trip from Cherbourg—Southampton all the waiting cars were let on before those who had booked. We were last but two aboard and found the seating accommodation full. As my wife was then pregnant, this was exactly what we had booked to avoid. The boat eventually departed an hour late.

This year we again arranged to take the car over, but on reaching Dover we were told that our 1 p.m. ferry was cancelled due to engine trouble; we had to wait for the next ferry. That was late, and so we were unable to leave Calais until 4.20 p.m. Despite a quick run to Paris we reached our hotel at Meaux ten minutes after the garage had closed, and had to leave the car in front of the hotel. During the night the car was stolen, and we have not seen sight nor smell of it since.

With the current freedom of transit, the XK could now be anywhere in Western Europe. However, if any reader on the continent sees an XK140 Roadster, that one could be it, as Jaguars’ built less than 50 with r.h.d. The car is (was?) white, with new red interior, leaping Jaguar mascot, chrome wire wheels, red brake drums and struts on the boot-lid for a light alloy luggage rack. The Registration Number is OBO 4, and a reward is on offer.

R. Woodley – Radyr.