Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Browns Lane NZ
Jesmond Micallef will be well-known to the JUST CARS audience for Waimak Classic Cars, his classic and collectable car dealership in Leithfield, New Zealand. What you may not know is that Jesmond is a long-time devotee of the Jaguar marque and has now turned that devotion into a business – Browns Lane NZ.
Located in North Canterbury, but taking its name from the Coventry address that was Jaguar’s home for more than 50 years, Browns Lane NZ (also known as The Jaguar Centre) is devoted exclusively to Jaguar, but it’s not a dealership.
Waimak Classic Cars remains the go-to for buying desirable Jaguars in New Zealand (see the separate article on a 1958 Mk VIII saloon Waimak has for sale), while Browns Lane NZ is all about preserving Jaguar history, collecting information and promoting the marque.
As these cars get older and rarer, the knowledge around repair and preservation, along with where to source parts, manuals and documentation, is at risk of being lost. Browns Lane NZ aims to preserve New Zealand’s Jaguar knowledge before it’s gone forever.
More than Cars
Cars will be displayed on site, but their purpose is to spark conversations and rekindle memories amongst past, present – and future – owners. That’s another element to Browns Lane NZ. It’s not a club for owners, but rather a venue where people interested in Jaguar, even if they don’t own one - especially younger people – can immerse themselves in the marque’s heritage.
“Jaguar has an extraordinary history of engineering, design, innovation and motorsport, and that is a history worth preserving,” Jesmond says. “I realised New Zealand deserved a place dedicated specifically to Jaguar heritage - somewhere that could bring together the cars, the history, the knowledge and, most importantly, the people who care about them.
“There is a tremendous amount of Jaguar knowledge in New Zealand, and I think there is an opportunity to help preserve that alongside the cars.”
Old and New
Various model Jaguars, both old and new, will feature at Browns Lane NZ. Well-loved daily drivers will sit alongside pin-sharp restorations. This inclusive approach increases the audience that Browns Lane NZ aims to attract. All cars will be welcome - as long as they're Jaguars!
Beyond the cars, one can also engage with historical material that will be on display, thus fulfilling the preservation philosophy. In the future, Browns Lane NZ also aims to serve as a hospitality space, hosting marque events, informative presentations and other activities.
Expansion and Evolution
What’s on show will evolve and change, ensuring repeat visitors see something new on the personalities, engineering achievements and competition successes that have defined Jaguar’s development. Jesmond explains that the objective is to create a ‘living’ centre for the marque, rather than just a room filled with old cars.
“These cars have stories behind them, and the people who owned them have stories as well,” Jesmond says. “That ‘human side’ of classic motoring is something we want Browns Lane NZ to capture.”
Contributions Welcome
Jesmond is encouraging Jaguar owners and enthusiasts to add to what’s already at Browns Lane NZ. Photographs, documents, personal recollections and individual vehicle histories can all help to build a better understanding of Jaguar’s place within New Zealand motoring.
“Our ambition is for Browns Lane NZ to become a recognised home for Jaguar enthusiasts in New Zealand,” Jesmond says. “This is something we are building for the long term - laying foundations now that can continue to grow for years to come.
“This is really just the beginning.”
