1978 Kougar Sport Jaguar
The oldest known surviving example in Europe

Registration No: VRV 59
Chassis No: 005/05-77RS
MOT: April 2024

• The fifth chassis number manufactured and the first Kougar Sports to be supplied new to the United Kingdom
• Featured on the first ever Kougar Jaguar sales brochures
• Believed by the club to be the oldest Kougar Jaguar known to survive in the UK and Europe
• Acquired by the vendor in 1991 and some 20,000 miles covered since build
• Recent extensive mechanical improvement

In the late 1970s, and Englishman named Rick Stevens set out to build a car of his own based on the legendary British sports cars of the early post-war era, such as Frazer Nash, Allard and H.R.G. These were, after all, the cars of his childhood but they were scarce, sometimes fragile, and likely more than he could afford. So, he decided to build his own version of the classic road-racer but using more modern components. Stevens paired up with the legendary engineers Dick Crosthwaite and John Gardiner (of the now iconic firm Crosthwaite & Gardiner) to design and build his dream sports car.

The 1970s was the age of the kit car, with any variety of cheap fiberglass likeness being built to sit atop a VW or some other similarly ubiquitous chassis, usually with extremely dubious results. There were dozens of manufacturers in the game offering conversions and full bodies to build any type of machine imaginable. Thankfully, Mr. Stevens opted to take a more traditional, British cottage-industry approach. With the help of his engineering consultants, he designed a tubular chassis which accepted the four-wheel independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and running gear from Jaguars. The Kougar, as it would become known, was immediately set apart from the sea of cheap kits thanks to its high-quality construction and sophisticated Jaguar running gear. In terms of styling, the body, cycle arches and distinctive radiator grille were inspired by the Frazer Nash LeMans Replica of 1950, but given a more curvaceous look on the low-slung chassis. The Kougar had a cut-down cockpit with minimal weather protection and a business-like dash that featured a full array of Jaguar instrumentation. While some cars were offered in kit form, most were constructed at the works as this car was designed from the ground up for serial production and finished to a high standard. Today, they are classics in their own right, and a handful of lucky enthusiasts have been able to experience the thrill the Kougar Jaguar Sports can deliver.

Chassis number 005/05-77RS was the fifth Kougar Sports manufactured and was the first to be supplied new to the United Kingdom. Sold in ‘kit’ form and built by Peter Dalberg of Buxted Motors to feature in his showroom, it was initially registered ‘WYJ 976S’ before later being re-registered as ‘VRV 59’. The oldest known survivor to the owner’s club, the car was featured in the first Kougar Sports sales brochure. Fitted with a 4.2-litre Jaguar straight-six engine allied to four-speed manual transmission, the Jaguar donor car had covered some 54,000 miles while transferred into the Kougar in 1978. The engine was subsequently fully overhauled and balanced in the late 1980s with a lightened flywheel and crankshaft, and another 20,000 miles covered in Kougar form since. Entering the vendors ownership in 1991, ‘VRV 59’ has had just three former keepers.

Benefitting from extensive mechanical improvement recently, the Kougar’s engine was further refreshed, receiving a new oil pressure sender, plugs, points, and condenser, high-torque starter motor, overhauled carburettors, electric choke, cam-cover gaskets, water hoses, and flushing and servicing. New master and slave cylinders were fitted and the radiator re-cored. Treated also to new brake discs and pads, a full clutch kit, new Spax shock absorbers and ball joint rubbers, four new tyres and a fresh battery, the Kougar is due to be provided with a twelve MOT certificate in time for sale. Accompanied by a fitted car cover and tonneau cover, as well as a spare wheel which is stowed behind the seats, ‘VRV 59’ is supplied with a copy of ‘The History of Kougar Sports Cars’ by Amy Robbs and Paul Biggs, correspondence with the Kougar owners club, and a current V5C document.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452