MAKING NOISE AT JAGUAR'S PEBBLE BEACH PARTY

It was a sound to stir the soul. Norman Dewis, Jaguar's legendary former chief test driver, fresh from celebrating has 90th birthday, shouted those four immortal words: "Gentlemen, start your engines!"

And right on cue, the assembled line‑up of 12 gorgeous 1957 Jaguar XKSS roadsters exploded into life, their race‑tuned straight‑six XK engines snarling through barely‑legal exhausts.

This was the breathtaking kick‑off to Jaguar's traditional Thursday night pre‑Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance VIP party in the courtyard of the Beach and Tennis Club at the Lodge at Pebble Beach.

"Introductions just don't come more emotional than that," said Mike O'Driscoll, Managing Director, Jaguar Cars. "We built 16 XKSS's and we've brought 12 of them to Pebble Beach. It is the greatest reunion of the XKSS since the cars left our Browns Lane factory all those years ago."

More than 900 invited guests, classic car owners, drivers, industry executives and media, turned up for a night of stylish Jaguar hospitality, and the chance to toast Jaguar's 75th anniversary.

"This night isn't just about celebrating 75 years of building great cars. It is celebrating 75 years of looking forward, always building cars that are true to the Jaguar spirit, true to the vision of Jaguar's founder, Sir William Lyons," said O'Driscoll.

The 12 XKSS's will line‑up again this Sunday on the hallowed turf of the Pebble Beach golf course for judging in this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Just don't expect their entrance to be quite so loud.