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AH vs E Type

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"As the joke goes you need to own TWO british cars.....one to drive while your fixin the other....

As you can see I follow that philosophy!!

Pete"

What 'joke?' I thought that was a true statement.

I bought my '98 XJS because to my mind it was going to be the last true Jag. I am sure I am wrong but I simply loved its styling. I also like very much the "E-type."

Having said that 2 LBC's are better than 1. 3+ are even better. Did I say I like LBC's?
 
Does this mean I'm finally ahead of the curve? :cooler:
 
Well, as long as we're talking AH vs. E Type, I thought I would share a vintage racing video one of my mates from the UK send me on their latest race at Spa, Belgium. Here's an epic battle between the AH and E-Type.
I love both cars because they're so different and beautiful in their own right.

https://youtu.be/UD7TjvMkHK0
 
The "joke" is three. Driving one, working on the second, waiting on parts for the third.
 
Dougie,
The Healey driver was bad A@#. One missed shift was all he did wrong. The silver E was giving him a run there at the last but the black A/H cut the E off and caused a fender bender. I caught myself leaning with the car.

Marv
 
Dougie, thanks for posting the Marc Campfield video. That's some of the best amateur classic car racing footage I've ever seen.

Holy Toledo, how much fun can one man have? Spine-tingling driving by Mr. Campfield. I was a bit surprised at how he overtakes the E Types, even in the turns. Man, that's one nicely sorted big Healey.

And, the beautiful sound of that big six is symphonic. :yesnod: Darn close to #1 on my bucket list, this is. :yesnod:
 
This has been an interesting discussion for guys like me who have debated the AH or E Type as a car 2.

One question: as a 6 ft 2 guy, I've heard E types are not an option -leg room only gets feasible on series III cars and hearoom is scarce on all but 2+2's.

Any comments?

With that said, I've never sat in an AH: how much room in those?

Cheers,

Doug
 
I'm only 5'11" but there's plenty of leg room in both cars. Getting in and out can be tight. I always plant my butt in the seat first and then swing my legs in. Getting out of the Jag is hardest for me but I use my upper arms on the body and WS frame to help lift me out.

Marv
 
I've never found leg room a problem. However there's a couple things that take getting used to. The sill of the E-type is wide and high compared to other cars and moving across it takes some getting used to. I use the right leg in, slide in then left leg method. As mine's a coupe, you also need to get used to ducking as you get in and out to avoid becoming overly familiar with the top of the door opening. After you've done it for awhile it becomes second nature and not a big deal, but it is different. And one thing, NEVER grab the steering wheel to help you out unless you really want to replace it.
 
You don't say how tall you are Mike but take it both cars can actually fit us taller than the average englishman types.

Being a Triumph guy for decades, the AH would seem a car I could warm up to faster as more of a blue collar machine like Triumphs.

Jags are the high maintenance blonde of LBC's and I'm not sure I would be patient enough for all their quirks...

The Jag appeal for me would be the option of a coupe for the spring and fall driving season -and the times when the missus has just "done her hair" and doesn't want a top down drive -haha.

Cheers,
 
dougie said:
Well, as long as we're talking AH vs. E Type, I thought I would share a vintage racing video one of my mates from the UK send me on their latest race at Spa, Belgium. Here's an epic battle between the AH and E-Type.
I love both cars because they're so different and beautiful in their own right.

https://youtu.be/UD7TjvMkHK0
Click to expand...
Thanks for passing along that video dougie... Now that's what i call racing! No powder puff in the drivers seat of that red Healey! I love the way he uses all the track and then some! He was drawing a bead on everyone in his sites and setting them up one by one. The Healey was set up and tuned perfect! And so was the driver! I would have loved to see what kind of motor and trans setup he had to produce that power! Too bad the driver of the silver E type lost his cool! It was shaping up to be a nice duel.
 
My dream is a 56 or 57 XK140MC roadster.
Only "open" car I'd own.
If it was an E type, a straight coupe', not a 2+2 is just fine for me.
Until then I drive a 4-door saloon.
 
Ya'll are funny, I LIKE the later 2+2s just fine. Longer wheelbase, and bigger doors... And from the drivers seat, you can't really tell. The only thing they lose out on is when you turn for a look as you walk away. Give me a series 3 2+2, with a 4 speed, and AC, and I would be a happy camper.
All that said, I work on a fair number of E types, and Jags in general. Usually when you buy a Jag, it will be way behind on the maintainence curve. Once you have caught up (and that can be scary pricy depending on what is wrong) after that they are robust cars that really cost no more to run and drive than any other car. So, buy the best you can afford, with repair/maintainence records that are up to date, and maintain it like you should, and the car will be a solid driving car. Routine stuff like pads, ball joints etc are cheap and easy to change. A clutch in an E type is engine out....Research before you buy. I tell people a couple of things. A. There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Jaguar, and B There is nothing more expensive than a Post Purchase inspection.
 
2+2's always looked like they suffered from a plugged exhaust and expanded the back of the car.
If you're going to buy a sports car, usually you don't worry about door sizes, eh?

Series 1. I like the headlamp covers and bat handled toggles.
 
Jim_Newman said:
Oh I gotta chime in on this.
I got the Healey 15 years ago because I had HAD a BN2 Healey as a kid and wanted to revisit those times. After a while I realized that the car I really lusted after when I had the first Healey was an xk140, which I finally got 10 years ago. Then one day, an e-type became available and I finally fulfilled all my British car fantasies. They're all different and they're all amazing in their own ways. The Healey is the raucus little muscle car, the 140 the sophisticated feline and the e-type, well she's the best of all.
I do not plan on selling any of them.
Click to expand...

Well, Jim, I've got the BN7 and the Yamaha (73 TX500), now all I need is the XK140 and the e-type.....in my dreams!
 
Jim_Newman said:
Oh I gotta chime in on this.
I got the Healey 15 years ago because I had HAD a BN2 Healey as a kid and wanted to revisit those times. After a while I realized that the car I really lusted after when I had the first Healey was an xk140, which I finally got 10 years ago. Then one day, an e-type became available and I finally fulfilled all my British car fantasies. They're all different and they're all amazing in their own ways. The Healey is the raucus little muscle car, the 140 the sophisticated feline and the e-type, well she's the best of all.
I do not plan on selling any of them.
Click to expand...

Hi Jim,

You are one lucky devil to own "3" Fabulous Cars! I`m sure your the envy of the gang here. I`m certainly envious!

****, I`d better win the lottery soon so I can re-create my stable of E-Types! "HAD" `57 XK140, `61 E-Type OTS (VIN # 875190), `64, `67 & `69 OTS. Why the heck did I sell them????????????

Happy New Year,

Russ
 
I have a 68 OTS E and 67 BJ8 plus a couple more LBCs. I'll take the E over the BJ8 most of the time for the handling and looks. I restored a race prepared 3000 a few years ago. Sold it very soon after finishing it. The motor in it was a monster. I knew I would get in trouble with it ( so did the PO, he wreaked it) so it had to go. I know you can build the E motor up as well ( my E is 20 over w/3 SU setup) but I don't get foot heavy with it. AS mentioned earlier if you are going to get either one, buy the best you can afford, it will save you money in the long run.

Marv
 
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