RANCHO SANTA FE CARS and COFFEE • JUNE 13, 2026
One of the most rewarding moments in any restoration is the transition from the workshop to the open road. After countless hours of restoration, assembly, testing, and refinement, there comes a point where a completed automobile must do what it was ultimately designed to do: be driven and enjoyed. Recently, we had the opportunity to do exactly that with our newly completed 1968 Jaguar E-Type Series 1.5 Roadster (1E17167).
With approximately 85 test and setup miles accumulated since the restoration was completed, we decided it was time to give the Jaguar a proper freeway and touring drive. Departing from Classic Showcase headquarters in Oceanside, we headed inland toward Rancho Santa Fe, taking a scenic route through the Lake Hodges area and along Del Dios Highway. The drive provided an excellent opportunity to continue evaluating the car under real-world conditions while enjoying some of Southern California's most beautiful roads.
Arriving in downtown Rancho Santa Fe, we joined fellow enthusiasts attending the area's popular Cars and Coffee gathering. The event featured an excellent representation of sports cars, exotics, classics, and specialty automobiles, creating an enjoyable atmosphere for both participants and spectators. As always, the combination of great automobiles, good conversation, and a relaxed setting made for a memorable morning among fellow enthusiasts.
After spending time at Cars and Coffee, we lowered the convertible top, installed the boot cover, rolled down the windows, and continued on to the private Secret Car Club gathering. Nestled away in Rancho Santa Fe, the Secret Car Club provides a more intimate environment where collectors and enthusiasts can gather, share stories, and enjoy a diverse assortment of special automobiles. Beyond the cars themselves, it is the camaraderie and friendships developed through these gatherings that make them so rewarding.
Perhaps most importantly, the outing served as another successful test for the freshly restored E-Type. The Jaguar performed beautifully throughout the journey, handling freeway speeds and winding roads with equal confidence while attracting plenty of attention wherever it appeared. By the time we returned to Oceanside with the top down and the California sunshine overhead, it was clear that the car was settling in exactly as intended. As Tom summed it up at the conclusion of the drive, "the car is purring like a kitten."
Events such as Rancho Santa Fe Cars and Coffee and the Secret Car Club continue to remind us that collector automobiles are about much more than restoration alone. They are about driving, sharing experiences, and creating memories with fellow enthusiasts. For us, there are few better ways to spend a Saturday morning!
SECRET CAR CLUB - JUNE 13, 2026
