EDITION 198 JAGUAR MAGAZINE 35
WE HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY MODERN MODEL JAGUARS BEING SCRAPPED FOR PARTS IN
one place - or the four or five local locations needed to store the volume of Jaguars and Land Rovers
owned by RJR in the rural Rodney district north of Auckland. At last count, according to owner Rob
Waters, he had over 400 vehicles - but wasn't sure of a truly accurate number!
We visited the same place 25 years ago and found intriguing oddities such as black UK police
specification S-Types, new reproduction 'Mk1' front indicator lenses and countless other items which
they manufactured. There was also a huge number of Jaguar compact saloons being 'reduced
to produce' to use old Jaguar parlance. Now 'Mk1's' are few and far between, so the business
concentrates on S-Types, XJs, X-Types and XKs which make up the majority of ownership these days.
They have also added the full Land Rover range, MGFs and, of course, still have a sizable stock of
Daimler parts.
We imagine there is not a part they either don't have on the shelves, or which can't be retrieved from
the massive stock.
Phil, and his business-founder father, who unfortunately died recently, comprised the most authoritative
team on used Jaguars in New Zealand, and Rob carries on the tradition. Of course, some of their
cars are put back onto the road including Range Rovers and an X-Type Estate (wagon) we spotted
in the undergrowth out back of the premises. Don't feel sad about those being scrapped, they are
keeping many more Jaguar and 'Landies' on the road when parts from authorised dealers are no longer
available.
The number of vehicles to be viewed is staggering, and the operation reminds us of businesses now
long gone such as Merv Ryan's A1 Wreckers in Melbourne which pioneered and dominated the Jaguar
used parts market in Melbourne. According to Rob: "At RJR we've been collecting Jaguar and Rover
parts for over 40 years. In more recent times we have expanded our focus to include MGF, Freelander,
Range Rover and Land Rover Discovery. We have a vast selection of parts, and if we can't supply an
item from our stock, we will get if for you. Our rapid delivery process quickly gets your order to you, no
matter where you are in the world. Rodney Jaguar Rover Spares Ltd is New Zealand's largest supplier
of new, used and reconditioned parts to owners, enthusiasts and the motor trade."
According to Jaguar X-Type owner Peter Cotton: "What a great business this is with friendly,
knowledgeable and very helpful staff. Between them, the team managed to find and fit the rear light
and new door locking mechanism I needed, and get us back on the road in less than an hour and a
half! The price was very reasonable and I received excellent friendly service!"
Rob told us he sends parts to owners and Jaguar specialist businesses throughout New Zealand,
Australia and indeed, the entire world. Very few of the host cars we inspected had obvious indications
of rust, and appeared to be insurance purchases being victims of bumps rather than neglect.
Getting parts to owners is honed to a fine art by RJR, and they will arrive at your door with no fuss.
Contact Rob and his team on +64 (0)9 425 8406, or email [email protected]. Their website is http://www.rjr.co.nz
and they are located at 17 Clayden Road, Warkworth, Auckland. RJR Spares flies under any radar, and is
why we were shocked and surprised to see their immense stock of Jaguars - we left decidedly impressed!