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The first car I really lusted after was one I found in a showroom window in 1962.
It was a Jaguar 1959 XK150 S, with both the canvas and metal tops. Because the XKE had been introduced just a year earlier, these things were going for about $7,500, used - a bit under the E market. But it just as well have been a million to this impoverished college student working for sub-minimum wages. At that price, it would have cost me more than three more years of college.
A little known fact about the 150 S was that it was the development mule for the E-Type, incorporating the soon-to-be "E-Type"s independent rear suspension, 4-wheel discs, and the 3.8L straight 6 DOHC engine, clothed in the "S" in a slightly larger body that mimicked the successful 120 and 140's - just in a plus size. It was the only "sports car" of the era that I could comfortably drive - all the rest were like trying to squeeze my 42-Long frame into a size 30-Regular, left elbow over the door and head scrubbing the canvas top. The E-type's interior was vastly smaller, and although I loved the styling of the E, the classic elegance and performance of the 150 S just knocked my crave factor out of the park.
Oddly, there was a bit of practicality in my choice. Once inside the E-Type (after dismantling the top), I couldn't even get my foot off the clutch without banging my left knee on the bottom of the dashboard. The XK 150 S had no such problem accommodating my rather large body easily and comfortably.
Of course the recent selling price of the restored example above, identical to my dream car in white/red, was $130,000. I shoulda dropped out of school.
The first car I really lusted after was one I found in a showroom window in 1962.
It was a Jaguar 1959 XK150 S,
Yes, definitely a classic. By 1959, the interesting thing was that, having been introduced in 1948, the basic design was over 10 years old......and still with many lusting after it.
As much as I loved that Countach back then, I loved this even more
Vector W8
I had a big framed poster of a Vector with a helmeted driver right next to my bed when I was in jr. high. The poster kind of reminded me of a scene from "The Wraith". Too bad Vector's were so rare(and so unreliable) and many don't know about them, they did have that red Vector in "Rising Sun".
It was the first-gen C1 Chevy Corvettes, especially the 1962. I remember buying the model kit, and thinking the ’62 was the coolest car on the road. Probably the Route 66 TV series had something to do with it.
05-19-15, 08:22 AM
