VIN: the Andy Evans Jaguar XJR-15 chassis 003
History of chassis 003
Chassis 003 was the XJR-15 sold to American investment fund manager, Andy Evans, who was one of just two owner-drivers to contest the Jaguar Intercontinental Challenge (the other having been music producer, Matt Aitken). By contrast, most XJR-15 buyers preferred to employ professionals for the three-race series organised in 1991.
Andy Evans grew up in Northern California. After attending college he worked as an analyst and over-the-counter stock trader.
In 1978, 27-year old Evans met Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates when Evans represented a company that sought to licence a Microsoft computer language. The two became firm friends, bonding over a shared passion for fast cars and hot technology stocks.
In 1980, Evans and his wife started a Seattle-based brokerage firm, Evans Llewellyn Securities. However, by 1981 he was short of cash and, needing to keep up with regulatory capital requirements, Evans took out a $525,000 bank loan from Barclays which was supposedly to buy some real estate. He also got involved in the sale of restricted stocks.
Four years later, these two misdemeanours caught up with him; 1985 saw Evans suspended from the securities business for 30 days while he and his wife were both sentenced to six-month jail terms. Bill Gates (by this time godfather to Evans’ children) was in the courtroom when his friend was sentenced and subsequently visited him in prison.
Upon his release in 1986, the SEC filed a civil complaint against Evans, alleging insider trading, market manipulation and other securities-law violations in relation to CMC International Inc. Evans, a corporate board member and trader in the company stock, allegedly learned of an impending loss at the technology company and dumped a large stock position prior to the public announcement. This ultimately ended in a permanent injunction barring him from the securities industry.
Nevertheless, Gates stuck by his friend who now had power of attorney over the Microsoft co-founder’s fortune through Gates’ personal partnership, William H. Gates LP, and an account shared by the two men and Evans’ wife (Dominion Capital).
By the time of Microsoft’s IPO in March 1986, Evans had enormous clout on Wall Street; he kept the revenue generated from Gates' monthly sales of Microsoft stock (around one million shares per quarter) which was then re-invested through Dominion.
Through canny management, Evans amassed a sizeable fortune. By the late 1980s he was able to indulge his passion for high end cars and motor sport while travelling around the US by private jet.
Having done a couple of IMSA races with a Tiga in 1990, Evans undertook a more extensive campaign in the same series the following year. He also purchased chassis 003 with which to contest the three-round Intercontinental Challenge which supported the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Monaco, Silverstone and Spa.
The Monte Carlo round saw Evans qualify last of the 16 cars in attendance. In the 16 lap race he passed Terada and Flux and, thanks to a couple of retirements further up the field, finished twelfth.
At the British Grand Prix meeting two months later, Evans qualified 15th and was one of just five drivers not to incur damage in a race which was more akin to demolition derby. After 20 laps, Evans had moved chassis 003 up to seventh position.
The final event took place at Spa two weeks later; $1m was on the line for the winner and, so as to avoid any opportunity to fix the race, all the drivers knew was that the contest would last for at least six laps.
Evans qualified chassis 003 in last spot around the daunting Belgian circuit where the XJR-15 proved a real handful and caught out several of the more experienced professional drivers. Evans was twelfth when the chequered flag fell after eleven laps of racing.
003 finished the series as the only car not to incur accident damage.
Andy Evans subsequently sold his XJR-15 and in later years it was restored to as new condition by JD Classics.
Notable History
Sold to Andy Evans, Mill Creek, Washington
11/05/1991 JIC Monaco (A. Evans) 12th oa (#3)
14/07/1991 JIC Silverstone (A. Evans) 7th oa (#3)
25/08/1991 JIC Spa (A. Evans) 12th oa (#3)
Subsequently restored by JD Classics
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Supercar Nostalgia & JD Classics
