When an XKE pulled up on the right

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Nice lookin' car. I'm like you the XKE was THE COOL CAR when I was in college. Had a frat brother that had one.. I've never found anything to match it for purentee COOL.:)
 
I was 18 and living at home in 1968. I worked three jobs including playing in a band and had way more money than good sense. I took my dad to Checkered Flag to look at the new E-Series Jaguar. It retailed for $6,435.00. After he stopped laughing he said "that will only get you into trouble". I remarked that I was making good money and could afford it, besides "I'm 18 and can do anything I want". My dad simply responded "Of course you can...but where are you going to live?" I bought a brand new VW Beetle.
 
In 1965 I was dating a older woman in southern california that wanted to GIVE me a about 1959 jaguar XKE? It needed some work, tranny, I think, and the car was pretty small for me. I still cant belive I didnt accept it! Where was my head?
 
RBscrim said:
I was 18 and living at home in 1968. I worked three jobs including playing in a band and had way more money than good sense. I took my dad to Checkered Flag to look at the new E-Series Jaguar. It retailed for $6,435.00. After he stopped laughing he said "that will only get you into trouble". I remarked that I was making good money and could afford it, besides "I'm 18 and can do anything I want". My dad simply responded "Of course you can...but where are you going to live?" I bought a brand new VW Beetle.
Click to expand...

I had the same conversation with my father. I ended up with a Chevy that was a couple of years old, but in like new condition. It was a good move.
 
Enzo Ferrari is said to have called the XKE "the most bueatiful automobile ever built." For old Enzo to say that about a car other then one of his, much less something British. It had to be pretty.
 
The first time I saw a XKE I thought it was the most beautiful car I ever saw. One of my buddies went over and got one from the factory. Pretty machine but- His starter would hang up.
No problem, he had knock off wheels. He would get the brass wheel hammer, raise that big hood and whack that starter. He was always slightly embarrassed and usually did all that without talking. He was also one of my buddies lost in SEA. Last time I heard his widow still had that red XKE.
 
I never managed an XKE, but I did own both a XK140MC Coupe and later a XK150 Drop Head Coupe during my younger days.

LTC
 
In 1963 I was in and out of the house as I was working around the states. My old 56 chev 210 coupe was giving me trouble and I bought a old 1951 dodge business coupe from a uncle for $65s to get around while I was scounting for my next car. I found a beautiful 1956 turqoise T-bird with both tops. They were asking I think, $1,400s. I beat him down to $1,200s, and made the mistake of having dad look at it before I committed.
Dad thought I needed more room as I traveled all over the country with my stuff. He talked me out of it. I then bought a 1961 olds dynamic 88 coupe for $1,700s drove it for two years and practicly gave it away!
I now belive the best retirement plan in the world would have been to buy a old barn or building and buy classic cars when they were cheap and just dust them off and sell them with NO tax factor when you get old. I remember a beautiful 40 ford coupe I could have bought from a friend for $200s in about 1960 and many similar deals.
I never was educated, talented or anything else but I will say that every gun, car, motorcycle or airplane that I desired years ago with time always seemed to be exactly the most sought after model of its type as time marched on.
 
I rode in an XK-140 (?) once, a friend's car. Do have a nice photo of a Jag in Avebury, England, taken by my son. Nice car. That one had the top down as he backed out near the Post Office. The steering wheel was on the right, of course.
 
I was in the Army 65-67 and we had a little red-headed, pissant captain who drove an XKE. He never knew it but when he was TDY in Thailand, the locals that worked with him wanted to kill him with a snake. GIs talked them out of it.

To this day, XKEs have a negative connotation for me.
 
My high school buddy celebrated graduation and bought a then-new 1963 XKE with his earnings from a carnival side-show feature he invented.

The next year I drove a 1951 XK150S drop head coupe home in trade for the 64 Dodge Dart I was driving to work. My dad made me take it back....followed that around the Valley for a couple decades, it continued to appreciate. The Dart not so much.

My driving style has changed considerably in the last 50 years, and I'm not so sure I'd even fit in that new XK. While I used to lust after the marque, not so much now. Thankfully.

Thanks for the link.
 
Steve, congratulations. That is a beautiful car in the same color I would have chosen.
I've heard a rumor that JB will drive one in his next flick.
 
I like Jags. A friend had a 70s V12 XKE, I always thought the earler ones were prettiest. I was on the verge of getting an XJ12 back in the 80s but Dad bought it out from under me!
 
A friend of mine has an E-Type V12 convertable that she takes out rarely. The XK is nice but doesn't compare to its older brother.
 
I went to my junior prom with a girl who's dad had an early 70's V12 XKE.
On the way to pick her up, my old peice of **** car threw a rod through the side of the block. After getting a ride to her house and wondering what I was going to do, her dad tossed me the keys to his Jag.
He said "Be careful" We went to the prom, but the whole time I was thinking I would rather be driving around in her dad's car.

AAAHHH, The good old days.

Wingmaster
 
World's most beautiful car + Lucas electrics

A match made in England. :D

Although a feller may afford a British car, two are needed- one for parts.

How I know.......
 
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S&WIowegan said:
I was in the Army 65-67 and we had a little red-headed, pissant captain who drove an XKE. He never knew it but when he was TDY in Thailand, the locals that worked with him wanted to kill him with a snake. GIs talked them out of it.

To this day, XKEs have a negative connotation for me.
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Another Capt. Sobol:eek:?
 
We had a 64 XKE for a long time, I grew up having it.

I can recall going through puddles and stalling out with a wet distributor cap. Dry it out and go again...

The fuel pump(electric) would conk out and need a knock on its head to get going again. Not fun when on the highway.

The gear box whine in 1st and reverse is unmistakable.

They sure do like to rust.... a lot and in bad spots.

I had the XKE next my 66 Corvette (both convertibles) in the garage for ten or more years. Sold them both in 1996, I still miss them but I dont know If I would be happy with them today.
 
Andy Griffith said:
World's most beautiful car + Lucas electrics

A match made in England. :D

Although a feller may afford a British car, two are needed- one for parts.

How I know.......
Click to expand...


:eek:


Nice looking car for sure. They are better off as a third or fourth car though as they need/demand a constant tinkering, adjusting and general expensive mechanical care. A doctor buddy of mine has had a bunch of different jags but he can afford to have a mechanic on retainer.

I am quite impressed with the looks of the hot Jag that is hitting the market, might even go road test one. With that said when the time comes to get rid of my Z06 Vette I think I will go with the C7 Vette but wait till late summer early fall next year and get a 2015!
 
I have a beautiful deep brown 1976 Triumph Spitfire which is mighty pretty. I bought it in 1978 and it has held up well.

It probably is unsafe at any speed. No airbags, collapsable steering wheel , or anti locking brakes but then life is a risk. I only drive it in low traffic rural areas now. Big SUVs tailgateing get me nervous.
 
Sold my Jag in 83 when it was time to come east....Can't even imagine breaking down in Tonapah or any such place between Reno and Okie city and needing parts or a mechanic for a Jag. Loved them but those Lucas electrics seemed to have a failure rate in the US probably due to extreme changes in weather....Great cars and at 100 you thought you were doing 50 or 60....well at least that what you told the trooper if unlucky.;.....
 
Beautiful car I remember they could give a Vette a run for the money in the late 60's. That new one costs more than I paid for the house I live in when I bought it in 83.
 
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