Revisited: 1968 Jaguar E-Type

So I finally was able to re-photograph a car first seen on this blog almost 5 years ago. At that time it was far from complete. Now it looks pretty great. It still has the same orange stickers on the wheels. In chatting with the owner he informed me that 1968 was a transition year for the E-Type, referred to as "Series 1½". For example some cars had the exposed sealed beams, others like this one had headlights under glass covers.

1988 Volvo 780 Coupe

According to the owner this vehicle is a rare item.

1990 Nissan Pao

Not the first Pao here but this one has more character. It's the chipped paint, missing hubcaps, and loose right headlight. Owner was very enthusiastic, telling me about and working on the car as I took photos.

1981 Buick Riviera

My thanks to the owner, who generously allowed me access to the interior and told me about the car, which is brand new to him. He said that those great white walls are original equipment, and I believe him, considering the lack of tread in the second last shot. The odometer shows 46,000 km (28,600 mi), and this is the first time around. What a great find!

My favourite element here is the hubcaps -- they add a sense of old school luxury and prestige. Most Rivs have wire wheel hubcaps, which look fake. Next is the colour -- which is rich and luxurious -- and the shape. That swept back front end and even more steeply raked windshield, followed by the formal roof. Also love the walnut veneer, and the mechanical digital clock. Of course this is not a practical, reasonable car, so the whole form factor is absurd, repeating the excesses of previous decades in a new design. It is simultaneously appealing and appalling, like so many luxury cars, and emblematic of GM's former resistance to change.

By the way, This American Life has an excellent podcast on NUMMI, GM's first effort to change it's philosophy.

1971 Mercedes Benz 280SL

Elegant and functional. Owner says it has not been restored (aside from paint), and it shows in minor dings plus wear on the interior (which is still excellent, particularly for white). The nicely domed hood, clapping wipers and chromed air intake, the excellent colour, separate left & right rear bumpers, the narrow shut lines which do not interrupt the flow of fine lines leading from the headlights to the tail. And those wheel arches!

Oh sure there are a few excesses -- the bits of chrome everywhere, including the chrome exhaust extension, but even that has a durable look to it. A car fit for a playboy.

1979 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

Love the subtle yellow, the very low beltline, the sleek, interesting door pulls, the shut lines which go nowhere near the base of the body, the intricate wheels, the almost flat rear deck, the sculpted lines leading from the front wheel all the way back, the way the headlights are elegantly carved into the fenders. I could look at those headlights all day.

#6 was unfortunately shot later, in harsh light. But it shows the gauges which swivel in the center of the dash, the Blaupunkt, and the large circular spedo & tach. Wood & metal steering wheel is interesting too.

I think it is pronounced "ve-LO-che".

Where have we seen that green Jaguar before?

Pininfarina #2: 1987 Cadillac Allante

Interesting shapes, subtle elegance much like it's late 80s Eldorado/Seville siblings and unlike most other Caddys I'm ever likely to feature on this blog. Love how the digital dash is almost completely blank when not operating. Also interesting is the subtle placement of the fuel door just behind the driver's door.

Regretfully not shown: the control stack next to the instruments, with 1000 black rectangular buttons + cassette deck.

The owner was very patient in allowing me access, for which I am grateful.