BLENHEIM, ONTARIO (July 16, 2009) – American antiques experts, authors and television hosts, Leigh and Leslie Keno are no strangers to the spotlight, regularly sharing their expertise with the American public as furniture appraisers on the popular tv series Antiques Roadshow. This August, it will be their family’s beloved 1938 Jaguar SS 100 Roadster 3 ½ litre taking center stage as it is offered without reserve at the highly anticipated Sports & Classics of Monterey auction in California, presented by preeminent international auction house, RM Auctions.
A cherished part of the family for over 40 years, the beloved Keno Family Jaguar, chassis number 39032, was purchased by Ron Keno in 1969. Ron’s twin sons, Leigh and Leslie, were just 12 at the time however as soon as they were old enough they had full access to their dad’s rare British sports car, using it for everything from impressing prom dates and friends during their college years through to driving it in various vintage racing events.
Though its seasons have been short – the car has spent much of the past 40 years at the family property in Mohawk, New York where it has only been driven during the summer and fall– it is perhaps one of the world’s best travelled SS 100s. The previous owner shipped it to the US from Scotland and in 1998 the Keno twins took it on the 1000-mile Louis Vuitton China Run, passing such famous sights as the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Additionally, it has enjoyed various cameos on Antiques Roadshow.
Whilst it will be no doubt bittersweet to part with the car at the August auction for it holds a treasure chest of memories for the family, the Keno’s look forward to passing it on to another passionate motoring enthusiast for their driving pleasure.
“We grew up in this car and absolutely love it,” says Leigh Keno. “But we have others and the reality is that this one is a family car – we can’t just cut it up into pieces so everyone can still have it. We hope it brings the next owner as much joy and adventure as it has to us,” he adds.
A longstanding summer tradition for vintage car collectors and enthusiasts from around the world, RM’s Sports & Classics of Monterey event was the first and original auction held during the famous Monterey Classic Car week. Now in its 24th year, it is still regarded as the ‘heartbeat’ of the annual motoring week festivities and one of the largest auction events of its kind.
Visit www.rmauctions.com for more information.