2012 Anti-Football Run photos

Now, I just gotta find the words.

Romy and Michele's Jaguar

Am doing research for an article and came across this:

Eddie Irvine on Jaguar X-Type

I had the opportunity to drive the Road to Hana (Maui) in a Ford Mondeo X-Type.  Let's just say Irvine was prone to hyperbole.  It might have to do with the fact that he worked for Jaguar at the time.  Maybe.

Here is a video of the twisty road.

Carspotting: Jaguar Mark 10

As you know, I checked out that Merkur yesterday.  The Oldtimer who owned it had quite a car collection-- a TR7 convertible, a TR7 coupe, an MGB, an MG GT, and this Jaguar Mark 10.

This delightful behemoth once served as the family car.  Its silhouette, even though it was cast by a ratty car cover was alluring.

The sun was setting so the lighting was awful.  The camera phone took some blurry pictures.  I've been invited back to take better pictures in the future.

See that switch to the left of the speedo?  It's an overtake switch.  When you want to pass someone, you flick it and the transmission downshifts one gear.  (IIRC.)  The Oldtimer tells me that the wood instrument panel comes off easily, to make the inevitable electrical work a breeze.

Fold down tables for the rear passengers.  The stock Jag sold in Britain did not come with air conditioning.  When they were shipped to the States, they were outfitted with A/C units in Texas.  They were installed between the back seat and trunk/boot.

Other than the E-Type, I've never seen another car where the window starts so far back.

Carspotting: 2 Jaguar Vanden Plases

What were the chances of two dark blue Vanden Plases parked next to each other?

The 2000 Vanden Plas in the foreground is actually Westminster Blue.  The 2007-09 example in the background is Indigo Blue.  I really miss this design.  The radical X351 just doesn't do it for me.

2011 Orinda Car Show pictures

This year's show was bigger than ever.  In fact, the organizers ran out of room on the street and so the Orinda Country Club opened up its golf course to give more room.

This Jaguar XJS was the first to catch my eye.  Did those wire wheels come stock?  Because they're a perfect melding of old and new-ish.

This Cadillac Eldorado convertible was the highlight.  At first, I thought it was an Allante, but the proportions weren't right for an Allante.  Upon closer inspection, and a chat with the proud owner, it was indeed an Eldorado ESC with the top carefully lopped off by Coach Builders Limited.

Only a few hundred were made.  You ordered them through your local Cadillac dealer.  It has a power top with a plexiglass rear window.

This clean 1981 528i was charming.

This is the first Spyker I've seen in the U.S.  It looks more like a fancy bejeweled watch than a mode of transportation.

There's a Shelby.

1937 Jaguar SS 100

1913 Peugeot Bebe

Shelby Mustang.

1960 Jeep Forward Control 150.

Talk about a greenhouse!