Nick Goozée has been a family friend for a long time. With similar interests in photography and cars, I have spent a good amount of time with Nick in Dorset, learning and admiring the stories he has told and his wise knowledge that I am yet to experience.
‘Tucked away in his garage is XK140 Jaguar - a car that inspired the beginnings of Nicks motorsport career. Nicks grandfather, Harold Goozée, was a racing enthusiast and lifelong admirer of Coventry built machinery. He competed in Scottish tours, the RAC Rally and more. There was a number own cars owned by Harold Goozée but one that had stuck in Nicks memory was a battleship grey XK140 fixed head coupé that had been purchased on 26th October 1956. “He didn’t believe in cleaning it at all” Nick said.
Nick fell in love with motorsport after his grandfather took him to the races at Crystal Palace. The first race Nick attended was Easter Monday at Goodwood, “I was the tea maker”. Nick eventually began his career with Roger Penske, becoming the teams general manager in 1983 and the managing director five years later!
During Nicks period away working, the Jaguar XK140 was passed down to his father and then later in 1988, the Jaguar became Nicks. Nick then made the decision to send it away and give it some love and care and returned to Nick in 1994 and has been beautifully looked after ever since.’
I finally got the chance to photograph Nick and his pride and joy after he was approached by Classic Car magazine. I was invited on the photoshoot not far from either of our homes in Dorset. More details of Nicks Jaguar XK140 can be found in the latest edition of Classic Car magazine.
Words from Classic & Sports car magazine | July 2021
