Meet The Owner – Ken Griffin Who Rescued “Poppy,” the Jaguar XJ40

Some classic car stories begin with childhood dreams or years of searching for the perfect model. This one begins with a moment of compassion.

For Ken Griffin, his entire journey into the world of classics started the day he met Poppy — a red Jaguar XJ40 Sovereign sitting unloved in someone’s yard. “Buying my XJ40 was my first experience with classic cars,” he says, and even now he still sounds slightly surprised by how quickly everything changed.

Love at First Sight — and a Little Bit of Shock

It was August 2017 when Ken first laid eyes on her. Poppy wasn’t gleaming or glamorous. She was abandoned, exposed to the elements, rust eating its way through her front end. “She looked as if no one loved her,” Ken recalls. “I felt sorry for her.”

He walked around her, scanned every inch, even took her for a drive. His son delivered the final push: “Can’t leave it here, Dad.” And that was it. A decision made not from logic, but from instinct and maybe a bit of heartache.

The Restoration: Wallet Lighter, Heart Heavier

The local panel beater took one look and famously declared, “You’ve got to be joking.” Both front wings were beyond saving, the inner wings barely salvageable. But the work began.

Ken visited the body shop every few days, watching the transformation inch forward. “My heart got heavier, my wallet got lighter,” he laughs, but the day he finally drove her home made every moment worth it. “The sheer joy of driving a luxurious, beautiful car was beyond expectations.”

And what a sight she became - that deep red paint paired with chrome window surrounds, a combination he still calls “stunning.”

Life With Poppy: More Than Just Driving

Ken drives her as often as possible. Weekends, days off, car shows, or simply when he wants to spend time with his “old girl.” Compared to modern cars, he describes the XJ40 Sovereign experience as “comfort, smoothness, elegance, and pure joy. What driving was meant to be.”

One event stands out above the rest: Gloucester Goes Retro 2022, a show Ken still talks about with a grin. It’s his favourite event every year.

And then there was the unforgettable moment when a fellow exhibitor showing a Rolls Royce recognised Poppy’s chassis number. He had worked at Jaguar years earlier and had helped build her. “Unbelievable,” Ken says. “What are the chances?”

A Community Like No Other

Ken is now a proud member of both the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club (JEC) and the Jaguar Owners’ Club (JOC).

For him, the community is one of the best parts of ownership.

“It’s like having loads of friends who share the same interest,” Ken says. “The help and knowledge they offer is incredible.”

Custodian, Not Just Owner

Ken doesn’t have other classics, and he wasn’t even looking for a Jaguar when he found Poppy. So, will another car ever join the garage? “Who knows,” he says. “If funds allow, maybe one day.”

For now, his focus is simple: “Just to look after her and give her loads of TLC. That’s the essence of classic car owners. We love our cars; we don’t just own them.”

Ken spends more time caring for her than driving her, but he’s quick to point out that most classic owners are the same. It’s part of the joy, part of the responsibility, part of the privilege.

Looking Ahead

Ken hopes the younger generation will catch the bug too and that they’ll find a car they “fall in love with,” just as he did. Because classics aren’t just machines; they’re history you can drive.

And as for Poppy? He sees himself not as her owner, but her custodian. “It’s a privilege,” he says simply. A privilege he never expected but one he now treasures every day.