Bob Blake of Cunningham & Jaguar

[XJ13]

As part of my continuing research and quest to produce an exact copy of the 1966 XJ13 I came across the story of another of its key figures - the late Bob Blake. Having built all the Briggs Cunningham cars between 1950 and 1955 he went on to join Jaguar at the end 1955.

I wrote a few words about Bob Blake of Jaguar on my personal blog http://www.xj13.eu Blake is one of Jaguar's unsung heroes and the man largely responsible for building prototype Jaguars including XKSS, E-Type, XJ13 and XJS.

If any posters have any more info on Bob Blake I would greatly appreciate your comments.

[Nickbattersby]

Don Yardley, who runs our workshop at Sport and Classic, got a call a few years ago from Jaguar Heritage (he is a consultant for them). 'Please can you come and see us to value some cars?' When they opened the door the XJ13 was sitting there waiting for him; the tale of how he arrived at the final valuation is another story.

I will be interested in your research - the XKSS has to be my all time favourite car.

[lowdrag]

Out of interest, the XJ13 is insured by the museum for £7 million.

[a8hex]

lowdrag said:

Out of interest, the XJ13 is insured by the museum for £7 million.

And they've turned down offers well over that I understand.

[XJ13]

lowdrag said:

Out of interest, the XJ13 is insured by the museum for £7 million.

I am afraid this is one of the many myths surrounding the XJ13. It is true they turned down an offer of £7m but it certainly isn't insured for that amount.

I was told recently by the JDHT Curator that the XJ13 is only insured for "replacement value" - as are all their other cars in the collection.

Edited by XJ13 on Wednesday 15th December 22:48

Edited by XJ13 on Wednesday 15th December 22:51

[a8hex]

That would make for a very interesting insurance claim.

"It says here on this bit of paper that you are going to replace a totally unique car."

I wonder how they'd manage that.

[XJ13]

Would even £500 million be enough to "replace a totally unique car"? I think not ...

Imagine the scenario where a container containing the XJ13 is lost overboard in the middle of the Atlantic and was deemed to be unrecoverable. No matter how much money was available, could the XJ13 be replaced with a brand new one? Even if they salvaged their spare "half-engine" that still survives?

It therefore makes complete sense, to me, to only insure for replacement value and I feel JDHT are doing the right thing. At least it means funds remain with the JDHT (and not lining the pockets of the insurance companies) so they can continue their excellent work.

[a8hex]

XJ13 said:

Would even £500 million be enough to "replace a totally unique car"? I think not ...

Imagine the scenario where a container containing the XJ13 is lost overboard in the middle of the Atlantic and was deemed to be unrecoverable. No matter how much money was available, could the XJ13 be replaced with a brand new one? Even if they salvaged their spare "half-engine" that still survives?

It therefore makes complete sense, to me, to only insure for replacement value and I feel JDHT are doing the right thing. At least it means funds remain with the JDHT (and not lining the pockets of the insurance companies) so they can continue their excellent work.

This was my point.
How can an insurance company give "replacement value" insurance to a unique product. It can not be replaced therefore what are they covering?

[XJ13]

a8hex said:

XJ13 said:

Would even £500 million be enough to "replace a totally unique car"? I think not ...

Imagine the scenario where a container containing the XJ13 is lost overboard in the middle of the Atlantic and was deemed to be unrecoverable. No matter how much money was available, could the XJ13 be replaced with a brand new one? Even if they salvaged their spare "half-engine" that still survives?

It therefore makes complete sense, to me, to only insure for replacement value and I feel JDHT are doing the right thing. At least it means funds remain with the JDHT (and not lining the pockets of the insurance companies) so they can continue their excellent work.

This was my point.
How can an insurance company give "replacement value" insurance to a unique product. It can not be replaced therefore what are they covering?

I see your point

Perhaps the answer is they at least cover the cost (which can be considerable - ask me how I know ... ) of building a car, any car, from scratch?

[a8hex]

Their costs would be a lot higher than yours I would image.
You've got the only candidate engine :-)
So they'd need to go to Crossthwaite and Gardner with a set of blue prints and the worlds largest cheque book and say please.

[XJ13]

Or they could come to me with the world's second-largest cheque book?

By the way - I sneaked a look at the XK on your profile - absolutely gorgeous. When I grow up I want one of those.

[lowdrag]

XJ13 said:

lowdrag said:

Out of interest, the XJ13 is insured by the museum for £7 million.

I am afraid this is one of the many myths surrounding the XJ13. It is true they turned down an offer of £7m but it certainly isn't insured for that amount.

I was told recently by the JDHT Curator that the XJ13 is only insured for "replacement value" - as are all their other cars in the collection.

Apologies - I meant to say that Tony O'Keeffe3 reckoned it was worth about £7 million. Personally, I reckon that is a bit low and should be more like £10 million. But then it'll never be sold I guess, so the value is immaterial.