
The 'XKs X-perience Open House' has grown over the years and 2004 was a success by any measure you care to apply. Because of the popularity of Saturday's 20% parts sale, we have opened that sale to include the Friday as well. By getting an order in early, our staff has a chance to pull the parts and have them ready for pick-up on Saturday.
Informal tours of the service and restoration areas have become a popular part of the overall weekend too. It's a good chance to discuss what's going on in the shop as well as meet with the shop manager and staff that could someday perform these services for you.
Saturday featured a catered lunch, including champagne and beer for adults, or soft drinks for everyone. 2004 saw the date moved later in October, to prevent conflicts with other events, the price paid for that was some iffy weather. Most of Saturday was gray with slight rain falling Saturday night.
A feature of Saturday's activities at the XKs facility is a people's choice car show, with judging in several categories, and open to all British makes.
Our "Pirates of the Caribbean Open House Banquet" was a roaring success! In a tent overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean, one hundred-fifty people feasted from a delectable seafood buffet, enjoyed wine, great music, and danced the night away. The slight drizzle outside only added to the pirate cove ambience!
The mood was very festive and we were delighted with the wide variety of attire, with everyone getting into the spirit of the evening. Many of our customers came in full pirate costume, which was a big hit at the costume contest. Word has it that our costume themed banquets have become quite a "must do" event on the Jaguar circuit!
A pirate 'conga-line' winding its way throughout the tent topped off the evening. The Queen of England arrived just in time to award prizes for the best costume. Prizes were also awarded for the winners of the Saturday afternoon's people's choice car show.
Sunday morning started off early for those interested in a genuine fun time. XKs Unlimited's marketing and promotions manager and his wife, Dave and LaVonne Light, hosted our annual fun-run rallye. The instructions were not written out, as in the past, but rather a cryptic treasure map (keeping with the pirate theme).
The rallye ended near the home of our hosts, and owners of XKs Unlimited, Jason and Bonnie Len. The rallye lasted just long enough to allow for a quick clean up for those entered in the JCNA sanctioned, points paying concours. For 2004 we dodged rain drops all weekend, but, without dampening the spirits of those in attendance.
We want to thank Jack Murphy, from Santa Margarita, CA, for sending the photos used throughout this article.
You won't want to miss the 2005 XKs X-perience Open House weekend. The date has been set for October 7, 8, 9, 2005. The banquet is sure to be another exciting, fun filled costume party. We plan to roll out the red carpet for "A Night At The Movies", so start planning your costume of your favorite move or TV star or character, or star celebrity couples.
Click here to see all the photos from the XKs 2004 Open House...