James Dean bought his first Jaguar, a 1954 XK120 drophead
coupe with a week's pay from a summer construction job while a student at Colgate University. After graduating in 1968, he
drove it to Boston and entered a corporate management program. Traveling around the US, he bought his first MG, a 1934 PA,
and smuggled it back to Boston in the back of a Procter & Gamble truck. He played with the Beacon Hill Rugby club
on Sundays, rather than softball at company picnics; not the ideal Company man! This soon changed, and he enrolled evenings
in Law School, and worked days at the local Jaguar/MG/Rover Dealer. A garage was soon found, and rented between Harvard and
MIT. James then opened a shop, British Crown Motor Company; catering to the students and Professors who drove today's
classics every day. Business was brisk, and forensic rhetoric was soon foregone for a love of English cars.
One Fall Sunday, James was visiting Newport Rhode Island, when he spied the masts of the last big schooner
built in Lunenburg. It was leaving for the Bahamas the next day, Thinking his vacation ship had come in; James left the shop
with a friend for 2 weeks and sailed South. The 1939 schooner turned out to be the nautical equivalent of a neglected MG;
and by the time they reached Florida, Mr Dean was hired as Engineer.. The friend in Cambridge was asked to stay on. The Captain
was fired after a collision at sea on Boxing Day. The friend in Cambridge also mismanaged, and after a winter sailing on a
small sloop in the islands; James finally relocated what he had left from Cambridge to Ft. Lauderdale.
One more foray into the corporate world, as First Mate-Engineer on Vistor Posner (the corporate raider)'s
Feadship yacht convinced James Dean to return to his real love, Old English Cars.
In 1975, he rented a rundown marina in Ft. Lauderdale
and started Old English Motor Company. It looked like the last outpost of the British Empire, with palm thatched roof and
a tattered Union Jack, English cars and palm trees. He offered full restoration and service of English cars, but parts in
the 70's were a problem. He solved this by becoming the parts source; and bought the MG's, Triumphs and Jaguars that
were parked under Mango trees and behind every gas station, and breaking them for parts. His theory was, the cars came South
for College Spring Breaks, broke down, and only the owners went North. This was the basis of his massive parts inventory,
now being offered 36 years later..These parts are all that's left of Spring Break legacy. The deep back yards have become
condominiums, the gas stations levelled for office buildings, and the students replaced by German tourists. The quaint little
shop in the Coconut grove was outgrown, and the restoration business moved downtown, near city hall.. For 15 years, battles
with landloirds and Code Officials meant that more cars were broken up, as space became dear. Downtown Development forced
another move into a 4,000 foot building, leaving no room for restoration. Finally, a computer was bought, and .. thejaguru..
became an established force on eBay, supplying these parts all over the world. This Website is now open to assist you; giving
another means to move some of this incredible hoard into the hands of British Classic owners and restorers.
Most of the parts have been in the warehouse 25-35 years. Most are originals, a few are NOS or new reproduction.
"New " finds are made weekly as the archaeological excavation continues. As other enthusiasts retire or are forced
to close by Code Enforcement Goons, their parts are acquired, ensuring that this will continue to be the
Largest Collection of Original British Parts in the Colonies.
If you do not see what you need; please inquire. Also feel free to call (on 1954JAGUARS or 1954JAGPART) for free restoration
advice. My toll free number for parts orders is 1 877 524 8787.
I thank you for reading my story, and I hope to assist you, wherever you are in the world.
James Dean
Old English Motor Company
812 NW 8th Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 33311
Phone 1954JAGUARS
Cel. 1954JAGPART
Toll Free Order Line 1 877 524 8787
eBay name thejaguru
