Penny Griffith grew up around racing cars and, at just 18 months of age, was pushed around the paddock in a car that Stirling Moss was racing. Her father Guy Griffith was a great friend of the Moss family. As Penny reached driving age, Guy just announced “Let’s go racing.” So he bought himself a C-type Jaguar and Penny a Healey Silverstone, a standard car with the lovely riley engine. The Healey Silverstone was later replaced by another, this time Jaguar–powered. This was truly great fun for Penny and it enhanced her love more for the Jaguar cars.
In fact, in late 1966 her Guy Griffith decided to give an E-type as Christmas present to her daughter; he approached John Harper and a deal was done. With an XK 150 as part exchange, along with an £ 150 deposit, there was a further £ 1,000 to pay. Peter was the owner of this car and had an incredible amount of fun club circles with his 86 PJ, a lightweight E-type but decided to move on and sold his car to Guy Griffith through car dealer-come-racer John Harper. Penny Griffith had her Christmas present and as any red-blooded girl should; she skipped The Sound of Music and went driving instead.
She also took part in professional racing and also proved to be a good driver. The Pomeroy Trophy used to be the season opener, and it was a great event that featured all sort of cars right back to superb vintage machines. Penny chose the 1967 event as her first with 86 PJ and thoroughly enjoyed it too.
Later, the classic hills of Prescott and Shelsley Walsh were attacked with gusto, where she met with the usual seasoned Jaguar campaigners, like Mike Dale, against who she gave good account of herself. With her father Guy Griffith’s backing and encouragement, Penny campaigned regularly with many highs and lows.
She got married with Roger Woodley who was working in competition department and continued racing but in 1968, the E-type was being used less frequently. Actually, a new business venture and a family added their own pressures. So 86 PJ was began a period of relative inactivity, resting amongst the not inconsiderable collection that Guy Griffith had put together. Occasionally, the car would make a guest appearance, like at the British Grand Prix where Penny escorted Pedro Rodriguez in pre-race driver’s parade.
Her husband Roger Woodley died in 1955 from cancer and Penny got married again with Jim Graham. Together with her new husband Penny put great amount of effort into fledgling Group C series. Later, she sold her 86 PJ to Paul Michaels who expressed an interest in buying her lightweight E-type Jaguar. Of course, thought of selling the car led to some difficult decision making for Penny. However, she agreed to sale her 86 PJ to Paul Michaels. Probably that decision was made due to having her commitment to Group C in mind.
Paul had already planned to restore that lovely E-type, Crosthwaite and Gardiner took charge of the aluminium engine, while NAR managed a skilled repair of aluminium radiator. Eagle E-types also played an immense role in the whole restoration process. After all of their efforts the ghost had come back to haunt again. Famous drivers; John Watson and Roy Salvadori also drove the lovely 86 PJ and always admired that lightweight E-type as a heavy hitter.
In fact, in late 1966 her Guy Griffith decided to give an E-type as Christmas present to her daughter; he approached John Harper and a deal was done. With an XK 150 as part exchange, along with an £ 150 deposit, there was a further £ 1,000 to pay. Peter was the owner of this car and had an incredible amount of fun club circles with his 86 PJ, a lightweight E-type but decided to move on and sold his car to Guy Griffith through car dealer-come-racer John Harper. Penny Griffith had her Christmas present and as any red-blooded girl should; she skipped The Sound of Music and went driving instead.
She also took part in professional racing and also proved to be a good driver. The Pomeroy Trophy used to be the season opener, and it was a great event that featured all sort of cars right back to superb vintage machines. Penny chose the 1967 event as her first with 86 PJ and thoroughly enjoyed it too.
Later, the classic hills of Prescott and Shelsley Walsh were attacked with gusto, where she met with the usual seasoned Jaguar campaigners, like Mike Dale, against who she gave good account of herself. With her father Guy Griffith’s backing and encouragement, Penny campaigned regularly with many highs and lows.
She got married with Roger Woodley who was working in competition department and continued racing but in 1968, the E-type was being used less frequently. Actually, a new business venture and a family added their own pressures. So 86 PJ was began a period of relative inactivity, resting amongst the not inconsiderable collection that Guy Griffith had put together. Occasionally, the car would make a guest appearance, like at the British Grand Prix where Penny escorted Pedro Rodriguez in pre-race driver’s parade.
Her husband Roger Woodley died in 1955 from cancer and Penny got married again with Jim Graham. Together with her new husband Penny put great amount of effort into fledgling Group C series. Later, she sold her 86 PJ to Paul Michaels who expressed an interest in buying her lightweight E-type Jaguar. Of course, thought of selling the car led to some difficult decision making for Penny. However, she agreed to sale her 86 PJ to Paul Michaels. Probably that decision was made due to having her commitment to Group C in mind.
Paul had already planned to restore that lovely E-type, Crosthwaite and Gardiner took charge of the aluminium engine, while NAR managed a skilled repair of aluminium radiator. Eagle E-types also played an immense role in the whole restoration process. After all of their efforts the ghost had come back to haunt again. Famous drivers; John Watson and Roy Salvadori also drove the lovely 86 PJ and always admired that lightweight E-type as a heavy hitter.
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