Midlands motor industry memories

Guild member Paul Skilleter has been in touch with News Briefs, hoping for a little assistance from fellow members in getting a book he is involved with out to the masses.

“I have been helping an old friend from Jaguar to publish his memoirs,” Paul told News Briefs. “He is Stuart Spencer, who some Guild members might well remember as he worked in and later managed Jaguar’s design studio (or styling department as we used to say) during the 1980s/’90s. These were fascinating eras which saw the birth of the XJ40, XJ220, X300, XK8, XJ8, F-Type concept and many other key models. 

“Stuart in fact began his career in the motor industry at Rootes, which then became Chrysler Europe and Peugeot Talbot Citroën. His book, Paradiddles, Pistons, Propellers and Portraits, gives many unique and often amusing insights into life with these organisations besides, of course, Jaguar. The book’s title conveys the fact that Stuart was in his spare time a talented drummer who performed with many famous bands, mostly in the Midlands, while he also became a well-known artist noted for his paintings of people and cars, including meticulously drafted cutaways. 

“Stuart does not have the funds to advertise his book so needs all the help he can get to spread the word about it. Perhaps there are Guild members who might be interested in receiving a review copy, especially those who have outlets in the Midlands. Equally valuable would be suggestions as to how he might promote the book – there are so many references (motoring and musical) to Birmingham (where he experienced the effects of bombing in World War 2), Coventry and the Midlands which would surely interest people living there.” 

Members interested in assisting can contact Stuart by email here, or speak to Paul via email.