First, let me say, this blog will not become a peep show displaying cars, women, and tobacco around the clock. Apparently, I am suffering from an early mid-life crisis :) Regardless, I will get back to the WASPy clothes next week, but occasional distractions are pleasant in some circumstances.
Without question, Jaguars are my favorite model of car, and the 1959-67 Jaguar MK2 might just be may favorite model slightly edging the 50s roadster. This car is a perfect example of brute force and elegance. In addition, I read somewhere once that some of these rides came equipped with houndstooth cloth seating. Though I prefer leather, houndstooth cloth is a close second. If anyone knows where to find one of these beauties in mint or near mint condition, please let me know.
14 comments:
Ok, I'll admit they were pretty, but god are they awful cars to own. Even Morse couldn't keep his running.
First, do not buy a vintage British car and expect much beyond misery and woe. I get the feeling you have not yet entered the world of finicky impractical automobiles.
Even aesthetically, this is not a stellar model. Handsome enough, but the headlights seem a bit of an afterthought, and the curved rear pillar doesn't work for me.
This was from a time where British cars offered something truly different. Those days are gone.
You drive two Fords.
I drive Fords by choice, and they were not cheap vehicles. I bought the Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer model brand new, and I bought the Taurus X brand new. These are practical everyday driving cars.
And no, I have never owned a vintage car, but I am in the market for one. If a Jag like this has trouble, strip the engine and put something else in it I say.
"“Do not drive it farther than you want to push it home." - The familiar cry of owners of old Jags
Yeah, swapping engines is no big deal (snicker). Read up on Lucas electronics and get a Miata. Or go halfway with a recent German car (sportier, expensive and frequent repairs).
Do not jump in to buying a money pit car for the looks. That is too foolish even for you, Richard.
Wait, doesn't Worthington have a Jaguar? Ask him about it, even if it's a more reliable post-Ford model.
You can find any type of car for sale, in any condition, through Hemmings Motor News. It was my husband's bible when he collected classic cars. Your wife probably won't appreciate this tip. Going out into your back yard, digging a big hole and throwing all your money into it is cheaper than collecting cars. There's nothing like a "frame off" restoration to test a marriage. (We are not talking about your average mechanics and body work men here....) A #1 level car is never driven....it is trailered to car shows. The undercarriage cannot be exposed to street dirt. Better not to drink that particular type of kool-aide.
Ahh the Brit vintage sports car, you better buy two. One to drive while the other is in the shop. Back when I was a young man at St Thomas More Prep in CT '75, I owned a chocolate brown w/saddle gut '71 Triumph TR-6. While it was the most beautiful I have ever owned it was the most trouble. Every week something was wrong. Don't get me wrong I would love to own one now that I can afford it.
Fish
PS Your blog is the greatest!!!!
I too love the Jags of this era. Did a lpost awhile back on Jags in general. Tweed seats would be wonderful!! Just hope the Injuns don't ruin the marque forever.
I owned a 74 TR6 and loved it. And I'd buy another one today. The 74 problems but then again I had plenty of problems with my '03 GMC Envoy.
Great post -- great blog!
January 23, 2010 6:34 AM
....Obviously a car built in the sixties, particularly a high performance care, is not going to be up to the standard of the Toyota you probably drive in 2010.....in fact the Mk II's are not notoriously less reliable than most other cars of the same era although the 3.8 can be a bit temperamental....and au contraire the styling is superb which is why they are probably in the top ten sought after classics and you even have folks building perfect replicas with modern engines, suspensions etc......in the wider sense though it's true all these classic cars are money pits.....if you can't resist the urge for a Brit sportscar go for something like the MG TC which is low tech, doesn't have acres of complex bodywork and will still get you glances as you drive by.....they can be had for around 35k in the US.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RARE-1968-Daimler-V8-250-RHD-Jaguar-MKII-MK-II-MK2_W0QQitemZ220545961197QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item3359904ced#ht_500wt_975
starting at $1800
Where *is* Worthington?
Richard - I couldn't believe the horrible spelling and mis-types in my post earlier. Bourbon in those new glasses I bought really have a terrible effect on my writing. Apologies - because I really enjoy reading your posts.
There's nothing wrong with the reliability of these cars - only the people who (think that they know how to) look after them. I've just done 2000 miles in 6 weeks in a newly acquired and unrestored 2.4 with no breakdowns or problems. Any potential let-downs have been pre-empted and cured during routine servicing. My last MK2 was a 3.8 in which I drove 50000 trouble free miles. BTW - there's no reason on earth why the 3.8 should be any more temperamental than the 3.4! The reason that Morse couldn't keep his 2.4 running is that he was an actor driving a badly worn out and bodged together old car. I believe that the Morse car is a lot better following proper restoration. If your MK2 keeps letting you down then it's time to change your mechanic (or learn properly how to look after it yourself) For heaven's sake don't destroy the originality of a fine old piece of history by fitting a modern engine in order to compensate for your own shortcomings! :-)
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