Well, the top wasn't down. :^]

A brave soul, IMHO, driving Sunday in the pouring rain on Rt. 213 in Maryland's Queen Anne County. I was too stunned to even wave (and had the top up on the Miata, anyhow) at the driver of a black XK-150 fixed-head coupe. IIRC, there was a badge bar w/badges on the front. Of course a beautiful car, but my reaction was "oh, you can almost hear it rust, bringing it out on a day like this". I'd never venture out in the rain with a nice Britmobile.

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Tiger:
A brave soul, IMHO, driving Sunday in the pouring rain on Rt. 213 in Maryland's Queen Anne County. I was too stunned to even wave (and had the top up on the Miata, anyhow) at the driver of a black XK-150 fixed-head coupe. IIRC, there was a badge bar w/badges on the front. Of course a beautiful car, but my reaction was "oh, you can almost hear it rust, bringing it out on a day like this". I'd never venture out in the rain with a nice Britmobile.<hr></blockquote>

Tiger;
I've owned my XK120 DHC since '67, while I live in Texas and our cars aren't as suseptable to the salt laden roads on the NE, if proper care is taken, there is no reason to be a "Fair-Weather" driver.
About six years ago I did some work on a fellows Ser I E-type that he bought with his "War Money" after returning from Viet-Nam.. the Jag had 28,000 original miles on it and from it's condition, it might as well have had 280,000 miles on it.. and it's been garaged it's entire life.
These cars will deteriorate if they are driven or parked.. the price of a restoration is the same either way.. so one might as well drive the heck out of it and enjoy a unique and wonderful car..
Apparently the driver of the XK150 felt the same.

Aye, Charles -- you have a point. OTOH, I might gladly rebuild the brakes, cooling system, etc., a dozen times before facing the heartbreak of a rusted body again. YMMV.

OTOOH, there's something about a beautiful car when it's wet. Ever notice those photos in the Brit mags taken on a rainy day (yeah, I know, they don't have much choice in the matter over there )?