I was rummaging through some of my British Car Week archives this afternoon
when I ran across this bit from Ray. I thought some of you might like to
read it.
Long live our memories of Ray.....
Scott
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Ray writes:
British car week was capped off in fine style. When I was 14, I used to
haunt the local (St. Louis) Jaguar dealer. While other 14 year olds
lusted after girls, I lusted after XK-120's (I have since discovered that
lust need not be so tightly focused.)
A very kind friend let me drive his a few miles Saturday. (He offered;
I'd never have dared to ask.) Years of reading tests had led me to expect
it to be truck-like, with a balky shift. I almost hoped I would be
bitterly disappointed, so as to put my 40 year fascination to rest.
No such luck. I thought it shifted perfectly well, though
double-clutching was necessary when down-shifting to 2nd. It is an
unrestored 68000 mile car, so synchromesh is probably weak. Anyway,
double-clutching on the downshifts is half the fun. Neither did I find
the steering particularly heavy (this car has bias ply tires).
What really surprised me was that the ride was quite comfortable. The
view out over the bonnet and the swooping fenders is gorgeous. The only
negative aspect was that the steering wheel was square in my chest.
Apparently it can get better; the owner is tall, and leaves the wheel
loose because his knee hits it on shifts if it is fully in. Once in 4th,
he pushes it in. He forgot to mention that to me, so I think I had it
fully out. The rim was inches from my chin. Jaguar might profitably have
added 6 inches to the cockpit. I gather they added a bit with the 140.
I can't comment on the power (it seemed ample) or the handling. I don't
take risks with other people's prized possessions.
So there you are. I still want one. If ever I hit the megabucks...
Since one good turn deserves another, I let a friend with a hors de combat
TR3 drive Kermit the Frogeye, which he said made his day. This is
something we can do for each other, to reinforce our particular madness.
The risk is small (if you choose people carefully) and the fellowship is
great.
W. R. Gibbons Dept. of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics
Univ. of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
gibbons@northpole.med.uvm.edu (802) 656-8629
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