Steve Cromar is a well known sight in Aberdeen, but the grandfather is perhaps only recognised behind the wheel of his beloved E-type Jaguar.
It has been almost 30-years since he brought his very first Jag but the love affair has not abated, and he now owns three different models.
Steve’s passion has even led to him build a garage specifically to fit his E-Type, which he doubts he’ll ever part with.
Despite retiring as chief engineer at ConocoPhillips, Steve is busier than ever thanks to his hobby which his wife, Pauline, thankfully tolerates.
He is in the middle of preparations for the annual Jaguar Enthusiasts Club show, where he will show off his E-type at the end of this month.
Held at Drum Castle, the event raises money for Friends of Anchor and Steve is keen that off the back of his passion comes good work for charity.
“I made my money in the oil industry, I live off my pension and I don’t have a mortgage,” he said.
“I’ve got my three Jags and now I want to give something back, charity is at the heart of my hobby.
“I think when you retire you need to keep yourself busy and keep socialising with people.
I’m a fellow for the Institution of mechanical engineers, where we’ve helped people get bursaries and become chartered.
“I’m also chair of continuing education in the Aberdeen section of Society of petroleum engineers
“I love my Jags but charity is at the centre of everything.”
Steve brought his E-type in 2012, and its records revealed a very local history.
It was first registered in Aberdeen in August 1970, before moving to Fraserburgh in 1986.
“It was bought by a Mr Macdonald in Fraserburgh,” said Steve.
“During this time the car travelled to France and was used as a wedding car for Mr Macdonald’s son.
“In 1997 the car was in need of significant repair and was put into long-term storage.
“You could never scrap an E-type because they’re just too valuable but the problem is that they’re then just left to go rusty.
“This one sat for 10 years in a damp garage, I knew it needed a lot of work but E-types always have potential.”
Steve already had many of the parts needed, having previously scrapped cars to make extra money.
“I started work on a total nut and bolt restoration which took three years,” said Steve.
“The bottom 12 inches of the car were rusty and required a replacement, the engine and gearbox, and all elastomers and bearings have been renewed.
“The upholstery has been restored using Furniture Clinic products as approved by the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club.
“The brakes have been upgraded to suit modern driving conditions in Aberdeen and a full respray was carried out in Banchory.”
The E-type passed its MOT last year and is now out on the open road.
“The car is pretty well known because it has always been MOT’d locally,” said Steve.
“When people see me they always ask how my cars are, men tend to look because it’s a Jag but women look because of the noise.
“When you put your foot down it sounds like the sixties, like a really old aeroplane taking off and that’s because of the 4.2-litre engine.
“It’s cheap to insure and there’s no road tax, and it’s really easy to get the parts.
“This is an investment car, in the past year alone it has gone up £25,000 in value.
“I think I love Jags because they’re so British, but my hobby has also enabled me to meet so many different people.
“I think men find it more difficult to talk than women, but it’s a start when you can talk about the car.
“Even Pauline likes going out for drives in it and we’ve made a toy Jag for my three grandchildren.
“The show is a brilliant day and some people even come from outside Scotland to attend.
“If we can give back while doing what we love, even better.”
The annual gathering for Jaguar Enthusiasts will take place on July 30 at Drum Castle.
