The Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club are saddened to announce the loss of a key volunteer for the club and friend to many with the passing, after a short illness, of Colin Manconi.
Colin Manconi was a petrolhead who loved Jaguars and anything with the famous leaper on! He would often make the statement not to trust anything you can’t put petrol in! Over many decades Colin enjoyed building a collection of Jaguars all of which, were immaculate and testament to the work that Colin put into keeping them like that!
Colin was a member of the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club since it began and was integral to the setting up of the JEC South Wales Region and latterly running it for many years. Colin enjoyed the socialising aspect of the club and could always be found with a glass of wine or champagne in his hand and a story to tell about his days in business or at car events. The socialising enjoyment was probably the catalyst for Colin organising many events for the South Wales region including attending Silverstone Classic every year where he’d book hotels and meals for very large groups as well as our regional Christmas dinners.
Colin was an integral member of the national JEC events committee and not only designed stand layouts but actually made some very impressive units that are still used today. He was the first to volunteer and was always at every major event to help out, often building the stands himself and attending shows for many days. Car parking was his speciality and the club will never forget how he marked out the grounds at Blenheim Palace with his son Mike to fit in 1200 Jaguars! Mike also follows in his father’s footsteps and is a current director of the JEC.
His massive support will leave a very big hole both within the region and nationally and he will be missed by all that had the privilege to know him.
Andy Webber, JEC Events & Sponsorship Manager lead the tributes to Colin saying,
“The South Wales region was my first introduction to Colin and I was made to feel very welcome as he included me in all our local and national events from day one.
We enjoyed many a drink together and lots of laughs along the way, often at my expense but I always knew he was there for me. When my son, Max, was born eleven weeks premature, Colin was at the hospital with a present the very next day and was a huge support for me at the time.
Famously he would always tell people how I couldn’t be relied upon to buy the Ice Creams after I ordered Ice Creams at a car show only to have forgotten my wallet and Colin had to pay – he never let me forget that!
Colin also helped me buy cars, stopping me making rash car purchases and giving me advice on all my Jaguar queries. Through Colin, I was introduced to the JEC nationally which, ultimately ended up with my working for the club.
I’m still in shock by his sudden passing as I know many in the South Wales car fraternity are and attending local car events in convoy without following Colin in his white S3 E-type will be very strange indeed.”
Colin leaves behind wife Jan and son Mike and will be deeply missed by the entire Jaguar community.
The Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club sends our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
