First Outing of 2019
 

I simply couldn't stand it any longer.
This morning I started early cleaning Nix of the months of grime that had settled during her hibernation. I topped up fluids as needed, turned the key and after a bit of recalcitrance, she started and backed out of the garage into the clear, clean air and bright sunshine.

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It was Wonderful to open the hood and see a Real Live HONEST engine sitting there, not the acres of colored plastic I've seen under my other hoods all winter. I had to just stand and admire the sight and sound for a minute -- especially the Sound!
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As any excuse would do for a run up the Passing Lanes I intended going to town to fill the top half of both tanks (it's as easy to keep the top half full as the bottom half, especially when you live out in the Stix). Husband asked if he could come along. Sure, I said, and off we went.

As Nix had idled plenty long enough to be up to proper operating temperature (174F) she ran strong right out of the gate. Kickdown worked Flawlessly and AirCon is Perfect with the new Amp. Set and Forget.

Off to terrorize the Passing Lanes!

Well, someone beat me to it. CalTrans has been painting stripes the last couple days, which means lane closures and heavy CHP presence to enforce Construction Zone Speed Rulz. (Dang! I forgot about that!) In spite of this, 2 collisions involving 4 vehicles happened on that 1.5 mile stretch just before we arrived.

CHP and other emergency vehicles, fire trucks and ambulances, and personnel were abundant with much flashing of red, yellow and blue lights. The painting crew had already left the roadway for the truck scale area. A couple yellow flatbeds were fishing cars out of muddy ditches, one car was crumpled and overturned, another seriously foreshortened; one Very Nice pickup-truck had failed to stop in time and flattened his nose against the tail end of a small ecomo-box of some sort. As traffic was already heavy this activity didn't help flow.

However, I did learn Nix's brakes work Wonderfully and she still moves pretty well when called upon in spite of her advanced age. I can hardly describe the pleasure of driving a Mercan V8 again after Months of Furrin 4-bangers lurking under plastic.

Eventually continuing to the Gas Station, Nix renewed acquaintance with the attendant, one of her most ardent fans. He again commented on her beauty, that it was a Very nice day for nice cars, and that he had driven his VW Rabbit convertible to work as it's Topless weather.

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I declared our first outing for 2019 a smashing success especially as we weren't the ones smashed!

Rain returns Wednesday for several days, but that gives us a few more days of driving togetherness.
(sigh)
(';')

That sounds great. As I mentioned in another post, we are out here in SoCal without my Jaguars. Your write-up really makes me homesick. Can't wait to get that wonderful feeling that some seat time in a classic Jaguar gives you. Keep watching that weather forecast and dive the wheels off on the nice days.

I enjoyed your trip review :)

My Jag is my daily driver so we stay well acquainted. However, from time-to-time I'll use my Ford pickup for 2-3 days when projects and chores require doing so. Afterwards it's such a pleasure to climb back into the old Jaguar. I always find myself saying "Now THIS is a REAL car, by gawd". Solid. Sure-footed. Cozy, comforting interior (not merely comfortable, but comforting---you know what I mean). Powerful enough to stay at the head of the pack. I feel like king of the road...but not in an obnoxious way.

The reason people love Jags isn't because they think they're the greatest cars ever built. They love 'em because they have a certain feel that other cars don't have.

Cheers
DD

Yes, all that, Doug, but not to forget the SMELL!
No formaldehyde, just Real Leather, Wood and Wool.
I gave a friend on mine her first ride in Nix today, and the Very First thing she said, even before, "Rides nice," was, "Smells good!"

You don't get that in your $80,000 Mercedes or BMW or Tundra. You only get Plastic!
(';')

I love California. Lived in West Hollywood from 1978 thru 1980, on Larrabee St. and Sunset Blvd.

But the tremors scared the heck out of me and I decided to move. No, really, I saw buildings swaying in a 3.7 Ritcher tremor. I kept asking what if this was a 7.2 ??
No way Jose, I'm gone.

Fast Forward to 2004 when I purchased my 1965 S type in San Francisco and drove it home as fast as I could get out of California, because you never know, I gotta save this car.


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Neither could I, had to take Fireball out for a run today. Hadn't driven her since 6pm yesterday:icon_biggrin:

Ran Blue Six around the county today to help my Brother-in-law fix his wife's 2005 Kia - again. I have a Silverado, a TR7, and an XJ8 available for daily driving but I have once again been spoiled by this old inline six powered beast. It is such a pleasant car to drive.

I have an older beast "powered" by an in line 6!!! My 94 Jeep Grand Cherokee in Laredo trim. At well over 200K, it is straight, shiny and tight. A different driving experience than my :"lumped": Jaguar but, enjoyable…

But, when I drive the Jaguar, I must restrain myself. The "appliance" cars often blast by at needless speed. I could mash down a bit more and best the most of them.. No, not the time or place !!!!

CArl

Addendum !!!

And not even enough throttle to down shift. The LT1'a torque is substantial....

My friend the Military Contractor calls these, "Killed In Action."
It would appear that one has been... repeatedly
Carl! You have to blow the cob webs out once in a while! Clear the carbon off the valves!
Use it or Lose it, ya know.
I admit one must choose one's battles, but Really?
(';')

Considering the abuse that Kia has endured (lots of short trips, sideswiping mail boxes, no cosmetic care) It's held up rather well.

I used the same excuse for my old '75 XJ12 coupe. Made a few moderns look silly with it. Miss that old beast.

Carl,
I had 96 Jeep powered by that same in line 6. It did me 14+ years and 220,000km of happy motoring. Only thing I did to that motor was a water pump & Plugs after 150k, then it blew a welsh plug at 230'000 km. ( I bought it at 10,000km)
The one car I really should have held on to.
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This past Monday was supposed to be another rainy NC day... My wife was going to have to drive out of town for the day, and my daughter and I had a day planned for just us. Since it was supposed to be messy, my wife wanted to take the 4Runner, leaving us with the X300 for the day. We drove about 40 miles South to Winston Salem.. Around noon the sun broke the clouds giving my daughter and I a lovely day sporting the Jaguar around town. Being my wife's EverydayXJ, it's easy to forget it's style and grace, until you're in it for just a few minutes. When we were all reunited in the evening, my daughter told my wife she could drive the 4Runner any time she wanted on the days we were going out for the day....
David

David,

I know what you mean. Despite her somewhat shabby cosmetic state I seem to gravitate toward Blue Six most days for my work commute.