COLORADO GRAND
1,000 MILES IN THE WILD ROCKIES
Four of our recent restorations have just participated in the Colorado Grand, successfully completing the 1,000 mile course through the Rocky Mountains.
The Colorado Grand® was founded in 1989 by Bob Sutherland as an annual charity tour combining the inspiring beauty of Colorado and the spirit of vintage sports cars. Every September at the peak of the autumn colour season approximately 85 vintage cars are driven in this relaxed, non-competitive event, covering 1,000 miles through the Rockies in five days.
The tour attracts entrants from around the world and always includes several 1920s and 1930s cars. Typical makes include Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Porsche, Bugatti, Alfa Romeo, Bentley, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Maserati, Allard, and such exotic names as Amilcar, Cisitalia, Squire, Delahaye, and Talbot-Lago.
This year the entry included four CKL restorations - Tony Purnell’s 1953 Jaguar C-type (Second in Class Pebble Beach 2025), Mark Haddawy’s 1954 Jaguar D-type (First in Class at Pebble Beach 2024), the 1956 Sebring 12 Hours Jaguar D-type XKD521 owned by Tom Mittler, and Jeff Gault’s 1960 Jaguar XK150 3.8 ’S’. CKL Managing Director Mark Hews was there running the event with Jeff as co-driver in the black XK150, which is one of just 41 FHC produced in LHD, out of a total production of 283 XK150 3.8 litre “S”.
CKL RESTORATIONS AT THE COLORADO GRAND
1953 Jaguar C-type XKC044 - 2025 Pebble Beach Second in Class
1956 Jaguar D-type XKD526 - 2024 Pebble Beach Class Winner
1955 Jaguar D-type XKD521 - 1956 Sebring 12 Hours
1960 Jaguar XK150 3.8 litre 'S' - one of 41 FHC produced in LHD, out of a total production of 283
We’re in Colorado, and we’re slowing for cattle and a cowboy
Mark Hews
This year’s route took the teams to Steamboat Springs, and up into Snowy Range Wyoming.
This is the wildest place I’ve ever been - Mark Hews
The car’s running amazing - Jeff Gault
The third day took the entrants from Steamboat Springs through Meeker and on to Vail. Mark Hews was co-driver and videographer - here are some examples of the four days of banter in the car:
We only hit 119mph not 120mph … but that was down to my co-driver - Jeff Gault
[The event is run with the cooperation of the Colorado State Patrol.]
Day four has been beautiful but quite treacherous. The views are absolutely stunning. We’ve crossed the continental divide 8 times. Jeff has said that I was the best co-driver he ever had. - Mark Hews
I would say you’ve been in the top ten. - Jeff
It’s fair to say that a good time was had by all - 2025 marks the 36th anniversary year of this remarkable event which has contributed more than $10 million dollars for Colorado charities to date.
2025 COLORADO GRAND Gallery
Photography: Mark Hews, CKL
Thank you to Jeff Gault and the team at Gault Racing for organising a fantastic week, and as always, thanks to everyone on the CKL team for all of their hard work.