_Second half of message:_
5) E-Type. Great looking car, same basic engine as the XK120. The
early BS ones (Before Smog) were good performers. Bigger and
therefore less agile than the SK120, but more comfortable. The
shifter was about the same as the 120. The stick was mounted in
rubber, and felt like it. It did NOT like to be speed shifted. It
resisted, fought, and clashed every time, but if you gave it a smooth
pull, it would be just fine.
6) The Allard. Pocket rocket. You could not stop from peeling rubber
in any gear at any speed. Looked macho before the word was invented,
and meant it. The brakes were no all that great. Like the later
Cobra, there was just barely enough room to get in, or be in, but it
felt like you were part of the machine. A great deal of TC in its
handling, except you didn't't just bounce and hop around a turn. They
use to say "you don't steer an Allard, you AIM it." True! Get it
bent around so the nose and tail sort of line up with where the
straight was and floor it. Impossible to describe, unless you're an
astronaut. Unfortunately, the steering got very light around 100
miles an hour. This wasn't't because of camber, caster, tire slip
angle, it was just nature's way of telling you that the big long hood
with that heavy Cadillac engine in it was being lifted off the ground,
along with the front end. by aerodynamics. As the tires left the
pavement you truly
were steering with the throttle. Very scary.
7) The Jaguar XK120S (M). Look around at all the 1949-1959 design
automobiles that were in production when the first Jag rolled off the
line. You're comparing Roseanne with Marilyn. This car was absolutely
the most
beautiful, graceful, lithesome thing on the road. It sounded like a
fine watch with a tiger (jaguar) purring under the hood. It turned
heads like no Ferrari ever could because it was so outstanding for its
day. So when other cars had 120 mph speedometers, and really wouldn't't
top 90 (including the Cadillac), the Jaguar really could do 120 in
good tune. In factory tune, it held the world record for 133 mph, and
I had a dash plaque singed by the chief engineer to prove it. As I
told you about Gene's car, it really could handle if you knew what you
were about, and the performance was not only great (not an Allard, but
I could take one easily above 100 mph), but well mannered. Smooth as
glass, stable at high speed, good road manners, and drivable for long
hours even without windows (the came later and uglier). The SS100 was
Jaguar's TC in practically every way (but it sure is PRETTY). It has
a pointed horn button (just like Marilyn) pointed right at the center
of your chest, and you ordered your seat belts form your nearest
aircraft surplus store. Safety was for sissies, and the CSCC/SCCA. I
had seat belts in all my cars, even if they were aircraft surplus, that
way I wouldn't't slide out of the seat on a wild and dangerous turn.
I know this letter is pretty long, (now broken in half) but I thought
I'd take the opportunity of letting you see my recall of those glorious
days of
yesteryear. Where, "from out of the dusty past, rode the lonely
stranger on his steed". One look and you knew t his was no one to
trifle with. He meant business, from his wool cap, leather gloves
with holes in them, goggles across the top of his cap from a WWI
movie. His windshield was down, the air streaming past his face
carrying away the tears of joy that flowed from his eyes. His steed
was making a low throaty purr, his deep chest not even straining
despite his rapid pace over long distances. One could tell the
stranger was just passing thru, and his life was in the going, not the
arriving. He was a breed part. As he rode off into the sunset, you
couldn't't help but feel a tug in your heart for the longing to be that
free.
'nough said.
Thanks for reading.
--
Steve Laifman
Editor
http://TigersUnited.com
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