The idea of Sir Stirling Moss leading a multi-million pound convoy of Jaguars through the inner-city streets of Bradford might sound like a story that should end with .....’and then I woke up!’
But this hitherto far-fetched dream became a reality in April 2008 in what was a real coup for the district.
Hundreds, if not thousands, lined the streets as Sir Stirling drove an iconic long-nose D-Type Jaguar from Bradford city centre to Greengates, where he officially opened Speedmaster – a motoring themed conference centre.
Click here to watch a video of the event
To mark the opening, Speedmaster’s bosses had arranged for Sir Stirling to head a convoy of historic Jaguars from the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, with a combined value of about £6 million at that time.
I awoke that day with a tinge of excitement, having been invited to take part in the cavalcade as a thankyou for the Telegraph & Argus’ coverage of the years of planning that had gone into creating the new £2.5 million conference centre.
As I arrived in Centenary Square, the cars were being unloaded and, as the crowds gathered, I took my place in the driver’s seat of a Jaguar XKR that was used as villain Zao’s car in the 2002 James Bond Movie Die Another Day.
The car was modified to look like it was equipped with a Gatling gun mounted centrally behind the seats, while further armaments included missiles fired through the front grille, rocket launchers in the doors and mortar bombs in the boot.
The then-Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Robin Owens travelled in a new Jaguar XF, while the convoy also included a Jaguar XK NUB 120, which won several rallies in the 1950s, and a C-Type Jaguar that took part in the 1953 Mille Miglia.
The younger onlookers were more fascinated by the XKR Shaguar’, used to promote the Austin Powers film Goldmember, sporting an eye-catching Union flag livery.
As we left the city centre, Sir Stirling gave a hearty push on the D-Type’s accelerator and the roar from the engine was greeted by cheers from the watching public.
A police escort remained in place as we left the city centre on Shipley Airedale Road and turned right past the Cock & Bottle pub up Barkerend Road. and onto Otley Road.
The crowds grew as we climbed towards Eccleshill, with Sir Striling clearly chomping at the bit to overtake the lead police car.
For Sir Stirling, who unveiled a plaque to mark the centre’s official opening, it was a day to re-capture the halcyon days when he was behind the wheel of the Jags in anger’ on the racing circuits of the world.
In an interview on arrival at the conference centre, he told me: “Today has been quite a day. Getting all the enthusiasm of the people and travelling in the Jag has been quite fantastic.
“The only problem was having to follow the police at low speed, which made it difficult to hold back a car that wanted to race.
“I mean, the Jag was bred to race, not to sit behind police cars actually!
“Travelling in the Jag again after quite a few years just reminded me how much go’ that car had.”
More than 150 guests welcomed Sir Stirling and the cars when they arrived at the impressive conference centre, which was filled with classic and supercars.
John Hanson, co-owner of Speedmaster, told the T&A he was very proud that Sir Stirling had performed the grand opening.
Afterwards, a spokesman for the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust reflected on how rare it was for people to get the chance to see famous cars like the D-Type, which won the 12-hour race at Reims in 1956, being driven together on ordinary streets.
He said the fact Sir Stirling had headed such a convoy had “made history in its own right”.
After being lucky enough to play a part in the occasion, it was hard to disagree.
Sir Stirling Moss factfile
- Born London, 17 September 1929
- Former F1 racing driver
- Championship runner-up four times
- Won 212 of the 529 races he entered across several categories
- Won 16 Formula One Grands Prix
- Described as “greatest driver never to win World Championship”
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