Jaguar from the shop floor: Foleshill Road and Browns Lane 1949 to 1978

Description

In Jaguar from the Shop Floor, Brian Martin tells the story of his life as a long-time employee at Jaguar, giving a first-hand account of the development and production processes, and the ups and downs of factory life through the eyes of someone who was actually there. In this part-autobiographical and part-historical account, the author tells of his childhood in a typical working family of the depression era, and then describes his career from starting at the Jaguar factory in 1949, through a spell doing national service in the RAF and then going back to Jaguar. He left briefly in 1972 to try other jobs, but returned to the factory in the mid-1970s. Providing a fascinating insight into the Jaguar production process, the book also covers the development of the XK120, Mk V, Mk VII, MK X, the Mark 1 and 2 saloons, the XKSS, E1A, E2A, lightweight E-types, XJ6, XJ12, and XJS.

The author has spent most of his working life in the employ of Jaguar Cars Ltd. He is a long time member of both The Jaguar Drivers' Club, The Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club, The Jaguar Apprentices' Motor Club and was a founder member and ex-chairman of The Jaguar Car Club. During his employment he has held various positions with the Jaguar company, from assembly worker to experimental and development engineer, and junior management. He is a lifelong enthusiast of the Jaguar marque and has owned many of the models described in this book. (he currently owns a 2001 XJ8).

We should cherish this low-key, but utterly revelatory, memoir courtesy of Brian James Martin. Unless you're a member of the Jaguar Enthusiast' Club you may well never have heard of him, but he was present throughout much of the marque's tumultuous history and instrumental in a great deal of it. Martin's first job as an apprentice working on the aluminium-bodied early run of XK120s. He was in the pits at Le Mans in 1955 and witnessed the dreadful disaster and Jaguar's response. It was Martin who set off the alarm and summoned the fire brigade to halt the 1957 factory blaze. Later, in the experimental department, he helped build the first E-type. It's all told in a frank and unassuming manner from a shop-floor perspective so often woefully ignored by history. But it's crucial - this is the aspect of the Jaguar story from 1949 to 1978 that no-one else has really told before. - Classic Cars. Well written, witty and honey. An education in British car manufacturing from decades passed. I recommend acquiring a copy and enjoy a week off from the TV. - Grant Ford, Freelance. This is one of the best, most absorbing, entertaining books I have read in a long time. Don't miss it. - Victory lane. As much autobiographical as historical, this book was written by a man who has spent a large part of his working life in the employ of Jaguar Cars Ltd. This book gives a fine impression of what it was like to work for one of Britain's most renowned motor manufacturers in its heyday. - Speedscene. The author's account of his life and times at Brown's Lane is delivered in a thoroughly readable manner, often humorous, sometimes blunt but always with unalloyed affection for the cars that were such an integral part of his fascinating working life. - Big End. The anecdotal detail is marvellous, from the 1957 factory fire to the money-saving trade plates used on the racing cars. - Octane. The book is brimming with fascinating previously-unpublished photographs of the factories, workers and sometimes ancient machinery ... you get exactly what it says on the cover - a story `from the shop floor' - Jaguar Journal.