We were gathered with the wider motoring community at the NEC Classic Motor Show when we heard the news that Quentin Willson had passed away, after a short battle with lung cancer. The media is full of accounts of his blow-by-blow career progression to the dizzy heights of BBC Top Gear. But we would like to pay tribute to Quentin, the Jaguar enthusiast – the man who was once one of us.
For Jaguar enthusiasts, Quentin Willson was more than a motoring presenter or a familiar name in print. He was one of the rare public voices who truly understood what makes a Jaguar special. With his passing, the Jaguar world loses not just an authority, but an ally—one who consistently championed the cars we love.
Quentin’s affection for Jaguars began long before the cameras found him. He cut his teeth buying and selling interesting machines to keep himself afloat in his youth, and among the early cars that shaped him were Jaguars—cars that taught him both romance and reality. That early exposure fostered his uncanny ability to judge a Jag not just by shine or spec sheet, but by the quiet, intangible qualities only enthusiasts recognise: the depth of an XK’s torque, the elegance of a Series 1’s silhouette, the unmistakable glide of a well-sorted XJ. Search on YouTube for the XJ40 buyers’ guide on the old format Top Gear and you will once again find Quentin extolling the virtues of the leaping cat, when others scoffed and ridiculed at the prospect of a second-hand XJ40.
On television, Quentin did something profound for our community: he made Jaguars feel accessible. Whether on Top Gear, The Car’s the Star, or his later classic-focused work, he presented British motoring heritage with warmth and clarity, avoiding the snobbery that sometimes surrounds iconic marques. When a Jaguar appeared on screen under his guidance, it was framed as a car to be driven, enjoyed and lived with—even though it came with the appropriate consumer warnings and advice on future values.
Quentin had a gift for capturing why Jaguars matter: how they balance performance with civility, engineering with emotion. He spoke of these cars the way owners do—aware of their quirks, respectful of their innovations and always mindful of the joy they deliver on the open road. It was obvious that his praise wasn’t manufactured for television; it came from years of personal ownership, experience and admiration.
But Quentin’s influence reached beyond the metal. He was a fierce defender of motorists, unafraid to challenge unfair policies or market trends, always reminding people that classics must be preserved, not priced into oblivion. His warnings about speculative bubbles and his insistence that heritage cars be driven—not hoarded—resonated deeply with Jaguar owners, many of whom leaned on his insight when navigating an increasingly complex classic car market.
Though his career spanned countless shows, columns and campaigns, Jaguar people often remember him best for the quieter moments: chatting amiably with owners at events, peering under bonnets with genuine curiosity, and offering thoughtful, practical advice without ego. Even as he embraced new automotive technologies in his later years, he never diminished the importance of historic cars. He believed modern progress and classic passion could coexist—and argued for that future tirelessly.
Quentin leaves behind his family and a legacy that will long outlive any one programme or publication. Among Jaguar enthusiasts, his impact is already evident. It lives on in the renewed appreciation for well-kept classics, in the confidence of first-time buyers, and in the simple joy of turning a key and hearing an engine he so often celebrated.
The next time an E-type sweeps past on a summer evening, or an XJ hums down a motorway with that unmistakable poise, many of us will think of Quentin and the way he helped the world see what makes these cars extraordinary.
Farewell, Quentin. Thank you for telling Jaguar’s story with such passion.
13 Responses
Wayne’s marvellous and heartfelt tribute was exactly on the button. It reduced me to emotion and tears.
I spent half an hour talking one to one with Quentin during the extended tea break at the Andrew Whyte Lecture when he was a speaker, enjoying our tea, cake and conversation. He made it feel very special indeed.
Quentin’s love and devotion to Jaguar shone through his talk which was authoritative, very humorous at times and beautifully and smoothly delivered- just like a classic Jaguar. He has described himself as being besotted by Jaguar as a young boy who strong armed his professor father into a showroom and then did the deal himself with the salesman with £300 off on a Jaguar 420!
I salute Quentin for his all round expertise, approachability and being very honest and honourable. We will not see his like again for at least a generation or two. RIP dear Quentin.
I met Quentin Wilson on two occasions and found him to be a true gentleman. More recently he helped me when my car was inadvertently hit from behind and the German manufacturer claimed that they could not provide some of the necessary replacement spares, citing Brexit as a very weak excuse! I emailed Quentin and he made a number of suggestions which I passed on to the German manufacturer and at the same time mentioned that I had contacted Quentin Wilson. All of a sudden the ‘supply’ problem disappeared and both the UK and parent company in Germany contacted me directly to assure me that the parts in question would be made available immediately. Quentin’s reputation extended far and wide and I shall always be grateful to him for his help. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Excellent tribute
V well written piece
A very well written tribute. Also feel fortunate to have met Quentin, he was a guest at an event in Monaco – I was a delegate. With formalities over, I will always remember our (well lubricated!) late evening discussion about our favourite Jaguars. RIP
A word-perfect tribute to a true champion of classic motoring.
Saw Quentin at the jaguar spares day a true enthusiast talking and mixing with other true enthusiasts will.be sadly missed
A very fitting tribute to a true gentlemen
I, like many others, was shocked to hear of Quentin’s passing. His many appearances at events and on TV, and countless magazine articles which singled him out as an authoritative master of his craft, will be sorely missed. RIP Quentin, and thank you for making a difference and brightening up our lives.
A great tribute to a one-off character. As a new recruit to the marque, I can now appreciate exactly why Quentin extolled the virtues and pitfalls of Jaguar ownership so eloquently over the years – R.I.P.
A great Jaguar enthusiast and also a fan of the Daimler SP250. He will be sorely missed.
About the only correspondent in Classic Car worth reading. Always read his column last, when each Magazine arrived, it gave me something worth looking forward to. Common sense all the way, although I didn’t share his enthusiasm for EVs, he could be forgiven as he was a true ambassador. A patch of blue sky on an otherwise grey day. Rest in peace QW.
I am pleased to have met him and thanked him for everything he achieved for us motorists especially keeping the fuel costs down at one point. A true talent at keeping us informed with his vast knowledge in the motoring world. My car choice has been influenced by him and I am now on my fifth Jaguar. There should have been many more years ahead of him but his family and friends can be justly proud of our gentleman journalist.