Michael Quinn – Interview

30 April 2019 Redazione News, Stories

Our Interview with Michael Quinn

Edited by Roberto Marrone

Think of a child who has the obsession for spaceships and galaxies, who dreams of becoming an astronaut and one day he is suddenly invited as a guest for a trip to Mars. Well this is what happened to me when I came across Michael Quinn, grandson of Sir William Lyons. I had already seen some of his photos surrounded by historical Jaguars and I often thought, having grown up in that environment, how many things he would have been able to tell about the history of my favorite car company ever. I really enjoyed the videos where Michael is busy taking part in events, competitions and races at the wheel of classic Jags; I was pleased to see that in his DNA there is something special and so I tried to contact him.

With great surprise I discovered an extremely kind and very competent person, in one of his videos I also followed the interview with Mrs. Patricia (his mother) who also had many experiences in automotive racing, aboard the glorious XK120 and those were really tough races, driving what were basically standard road cars. I was very thirsty to know more about the adventures of that magical period, to know the places, but also curious details, situations, anecdotes, events concerning historical characters, from designers to mechanics, the legendary test driver Norman Dewis, but also the life in the beloved England to relive the atmosphere of those golden days. A few years ago I had the opportunity to write a book about Sir William Lyons and his story, collecting every image available, but today, having the possibility to talk to no less than his nephew and to be able to know straight from someone who lived in first person certain situations is exciting and that’s why, reporting this interesting interview with Michael, I hope it can be the first chapter of a long series, with the promise that if I can, there will be a second edition of the book, with much more extensive details and I am sure that fans of the great history of Jaguar and about cars in general will surely appreciate that.

THE INTERVIEW

When I first clicked on one of your videos, I was like “Finally, this gotta be interesting” (and it is). What is the reason behind your videos commitment?

It came about by chance really as I met Tom when he was making a film about farming for my mother, and I explained a little of what I get up to in the classic car world and he liked the idea of doing something different to his normal activities. So, we made the first couple of pieces and it has just continued from there. I hope it will continue, he is very skillful at filming and editing his own piecesand although we do have plans for more, he is busy and committed to his own business and I am totally reliant on his goodwill and skills. But I do think that the films provide an interesting insight into a part of my world and so far, they seem to have been well received. But really it is his work that makes them work so well.

Having viewed your videos on your YouTube channel, it would clearly be interesting to know which motorsport event you usually take part in. For example, what do you think about Goodwood Revival and the G.P Montecarlo Historic?

These days my motorsport activities are somewhat limited as I am not currently employed, and racing is expensive. But I have been competing since 1990 when I bought a 1977 Ralt RT1 F3 car – my last race with that was the 2010 Monaco Historic which was just an incredible experience; the circuit really is one of ‘the greats’ and the whole experience leaves you wondering whether it might have all been a dream! I have been extremely fortunate to be invited to race a GT2 Porsche in the Britcar 24 Hours, a Ferrari 308 at Spa, a Lister Jaguar at Le Mans 24 Hours support race and the Classic, and a Jaguar C Type at Porto and Silverstone. Nowadays I have my own E Type which you have seen in the films and I have run 3 times at Goodwood, as well as Le Mans Classic and Nürburgring. It is pre-’63 spec, so basically a road car, and I hope to carry on with 2 or 3 events per year. Goodwood is a privilege to attend; the track is fast and exciting, and it is truly amazing to drive alongside some of the great stars that the event attracts. One meeting I found myself sitting between Tom Kristiansen and Emanuele Pirro in the pre-race drivers briefing which was a real ‘pinch me – am I really here?’ moment. If you have not been, I can tell you the whole show is quite something – very British I suspect. When I can’t make it, I watch the live stream and the racing is more exciting than most GPs.

How is your passion for vintage cars born?

My passion was started by my father who took me to Prescott Hillclimb from a very young age. It was only 10 minutes drive from our home and I just loved the sounds and smells of vintage Bugattis. Then of course there were the tales I heard from my mother who rallied in her early days when married to Ian Appleyard. They won many international events in their whist XK 120, registered NUB 120. Finally,I think my grandfather must have passed some of his motoring blood to me!

Today Jaguar is very committed to the development of electric models, what do you think about this? Will it be the future for automotive?

I think Jaguar were very smart to be at the forefront of electric propulsion technology and the I-Pace is a great achievement. I do believe it is the way the automobiles will go eventually but I think that for quite some time yet motoring needs will be met by a variety of different propulsion methods.ie there will not be, and nor should there be, a ‘once size fits all’ solution. I think full-automation is still quite some way off being a day-to-day reality.

We usually see a load of replicas of the D Type and the likes, do you think it is right to create clones sometimes even with different displacements from the original model?

I have mixed feeling about replicas and continuation cars, and maybe there is a distinction between the two depending on who is constructing them. In racing I am happier nowadays not to see original and valuable cars, often with their original panels and patina, risked on the racing circuit. Replicas certainly have their place, maybe now more than ever, especially with the genuine articles being worth so much. I feel that an original – say Le Mans D Type – which has survived intact (if there are any!) should no longer be risked meeting the crash-barriers racing for fun. Having said that, I do believe that these cars need to be exercised and seen by the public and not locked away in private collections. Otherwise they cease to have any purpose or meaning.

Since cars have changed, enthusiasts did that too. What do you think about Jaguar’s project for the XKSS and E Lightweight and the fact of completing the interrupted production nowadays?

I think it is unfortunate, but maybe inevitable, that today’s classic car collectors seem to be purchasing more for the investment potential than because they want to drive them. Also unfortunate is that we seem to be losing the connection between the machinery and the younger generations that used to be so strong. Again, maybe this is inevitable, but it is something that we can affect in the way we use and display these vehicles. I understand why some manufacturers today might want to ‘cash-in’ on their heritage, and market cars to wealthy collectors, but I think the production of expensive continuation cars does very little to help this situation and may even muddy the waters more in the future. It is important to be very clear what these cars are and what they represent.

Let’s go back in time a bit. Do you have any secrets about the maintenance of beloved models from 50s/60s?

Not really, but I do feel it is very important that we are passing these skills on to future generations.

Tell us your best road trip or Jaguar-related adventure you cherish the most.

I am very lucky in that there have been a few; from chauffeuring my grandfather soon after I passed my driving test; to the first time I drove my E Type after its restoration to Scotland; to driving XJ13 round the Le Mans circuit; or participating with the Jaguar team in the 2013 Mille Miglia in a C Type (with Salvatore Ferragamo!). But I would say the one that stands out is driving my mother’s old rally car (NUB 120) on the Alpine Rally retrospective in 2000 to celebrate 50 Years of her first win there. I also took the opportunity to propose to my girlfriend on the rally, in the car, in the Swiss Alps. Luckily, she said ‘yes’, and we later got married in the car too. Just like my mother did!

Sticking with epic stories, what about Mr. Norman Dewis?

Norman is quite a character and his stories are incredible really. There is a great one of him driving back with my grandfather from his home on the coast and running out of fuel just as they pulled up into the factory gates. My own strongest memory with Norman is of getting a driving lesson from him – in the XJ13! I was very happy to successfully propose him for his award from The Queen.

How was the relationship with your illustrious grandfather?

I have very strong memories of him, from sitting on his lap learning to read to taking his place on the trip to watch Jaguar return to Le Mans in 1985. He was always impressive to this young man, and the older I have become the more I have come to respect what he had achieved over his life. He had no formal design training and he was not an advanced engineer, but his creations will stand as a testament to him forever. He was humble and did not like shows of arrogance – something which has stuck with me I think.

Going through your video with Mrs. Patricia, I enjoyed her stories about those times in which racing was completely different from now. Is motorsport changed irreversibly and do we have to look at classic cars racing for those same emotions?

Racing has changed fundamentally from those days, when it was essentially a function of a company’s marketing strategy run in a professional manner by amateurs, to what it is now a profession in its own right. I think it will continue to evolve and possibly not in a way that meets all the expectations of enthusiasts. There is more variety available to suit all tastes now and some classic racing is extremely entertaining. A visit to Goodwood Revival provides some of the best motorsport action you can see anywhere. Also mention should be made of motorcycle sport (where my grandfather started) which I think is amongst the best sport you can see anywhere.

What are your plans for the future?

I am currently trying to figure out what I should be doing for employment just now but hope to be able to keep up my motorsport activities to some small degree. I think I will always have that in me. Plus it is great material for the films.