| When people think of Jaguar competition cars of the 1950s they usually think of C Types, D Types and XKs but the works team of large saloons was equally successful on the Monte Carlo Rally. Most of the team was made up of talented Irish amateurs and here we present some photos from the collection of Arthur Jolley, the last surviving Southern Irish team member. | |||
 In the 1950s the rally involved many hundreds of competitors starting at various points around Europe and following routes of around 2,000 miles to bring them to Monte Carlo. An average speed of 50 kmh had to be maintained throughout. This became progressivley more difficult as both roads and weather deteriorated crossing the Alps. |
 In 1951 Dublin furrier Cecil Vard borrowed ZE 7445, his mother in law's 3.5litre MkV saloon to enter the rally. He took advantage of the car’s size to bring along Bill Young as relief driver, the experienced timekeeper, Doc Jackson and enthusiastic motor cyclist Arthur Jolley as navigators. They astonished everyone by finishing in 3rd place overall. (Maurice Cavey and Norrie Bailey in the latter's 2.5litre Mk V, ZJ 7976, were also entered.) |
 For 1953 Cecil and Arthur were joined by Frank Bigger and ZE 7445, assembled by Cavey's of Dublin, was prepared by the factory. They were a private entry but formed a one make team with the Appleyards and ‘Pathfinder’ Bennett in Mk VIIs. The cars could only be fitted with catalogued options but extra spotlights, wipers and spare wheels were popular choices with competitors. |
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 Unusually fine January weather meant that results were decided by a 74km navigation test in the mountains and a series of 250m acceleration and braking tests around Monaco. The Appleyards finished a single point behind Maurice Gatsonides. The Irish car was another two points down giving them an excellent 5th out of 404 starters and the first one make team award for Jaguar. |
 Three full works Mk VIIs were provided for Vard, Appleyard and Ulster driver Ronnie Adams in 1954. The Southern crew had LWK 343 used by Stirling Moss in British Touring Car racing. Moss praised its handling, road holding and ease of driving. Appleyard was in sight of victory when his car SUM 7 lost a core plug but, with all teams losing at least one car the team award was again Jaguar’s. |
 For 1955 dark green works car PWK 701 only gave them 25th overall but with another team award came the offer of an XK 140 for the Alpine Rally later in the year. However with the horrific crash in Le Mans that year the Alpine Rally was cancelled, and with the death of John Lyons at the same time, Jaguar decided to wind down its involvement in motorsport. |
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 1956 was to be the last appearance of the works team. Arthur and Cecil were joined in LWK 343 by the experienced Jimmy Millard while Frank Bigger joined Ronnie Adams and Ernest McMillen. Good weather meant that the result was decided on a speed test over 4 laps of the Grand Prix circuit. Ronnie Adams held off the works Mercedes 220s to take Jaguar’s only outright victory in Monte Carlo. |
 The Mk V combined the torque of the 3.5litre SS 100 engine, the fine handling independent front suspension of the XK 120 and the comfort of a large saloon body. With the more modern 3.4litre XK engine the Mk VII had even more power and torque and was capable of 115mph in works trim. In both cars the combination of Grace, Pace and Space proved ideal for marathon rallies. |
 While Arthur (on the right, with Dominc Nolan) continued to navigate for Cecil Vard in Simca’s entered by Mc Cairns Motors the cars were never strong or powerful enough for the Monte. When Cecil decided to concentrate on Irish rallies Arthur returned to riding in motor cycle trials where he was on the DU team that won the team award on the grueling Scottish Six Day Trial. Today he still enjoys navigating more venerable machines on IVVMCC runs! |
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