Knott’s announced Jaguar! in December 1994 as a major new steel coaster for the Buena Park park’s seventy-fifth anniversary season. The project was tied to Fiesta Village and credited to Zierer, giving the old berry farm a fresh sweep of German steel for the Southern California summer. latimes.com· en.wikipedia.org

The achievement was not merely height, but placement. In a park where every foot of ground is precious, Jaguar! was planned to leave its own plot and travel among established neighbors, carrying visitors over the midway, through Montezooma’s loop, near the Timber Mountain Log Ride, and across Reflection Lake before returning to its station. latimes.com· coasterpedia.net

On June 17, 1995, the new coaster opened to the public. Contemporary coverage found it a gentler animal than its name suggested, but praised the broad, graceful steel route and noted its 35 mph pace, a speed suited to families and visiting parties taking in Knott’s on a long summer day. latimes.com· en.wikipedia.org

Today the park still presents Jaguar! as Knott’s first themed coaster, built in 1995, with riders departing from its temple-like loading station. It remains a working piece of Fiesta Village, a common card perhaps, but one with a wide and pleasant claim upon the landscape. sixflags.com