In my 8 days never saw an XK but did see a bunch of XJ's, plus a ton of Range Rovers, and a small smattering of the XF. I did spot one classic Austin Healy which was nice! I was hunkered down in Trafalgar Square so only had exposure to that area, nothing in the surrounding environs.

I had some business meetings in Switzerland and Spain that I popped over to attend, in those countries I didn't see any Jag's.

I suppose I was amazed that for the most part I see more Jag's and Range Rovers here in Tampa.

 

That's a bummer that was the case during your trip. I'm making plans to go to the factory up Coventry way while we're over there next month. From what I've read, it's a great little tour.

 

Yeah, great place with a ton to see. As far as the factory I had no desire, but then I work in industrial automation and have been through probably 500 manufacturing floors over my career...with more to go as I am not finished.

Perhaps in a future trip it will pique my interest. I look forward to your tour feedback.

 

London isnt for Londoners anymore.

One of the most emotionally powerful images I have in my mind still, is that of an XJS on ParK Lane that would be parked there everyday. The perfect car in that setting. Now I realize why it got so etched in- it was the end of an era never to be repeated.

You dont even see people making an effort to dress themselves anymore.

 

Sadly that seems to be the case. It is not for Brits anymore either.

 

When you are over if you can go to the musieum at Gaydon, the first Saturday of every month is Jaguar Breakfast day, where lots of jags are all parked up outside the entrance for visitors to look at nearly all from private owners.

 

That is true, I was amazed how there were so few Brit's working in the hotels or restaurants.

 

The diversity only helps, as it does in NY and other great cities.

I was alluding to the new Americanization of London. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. And the tourist are silly enough to believe England has fresh Louisiana shrimp.

In the past people preserved London for what it was. Selfridges was American, but he built to match the environment and some degree made London, the various middle Easterners who owned Harrod's kept it that way.

The Park Lane I was describing beautiful formal flora, architecture and appropriate commerce, beautifully dressed people who carried themselves. A XJS on that street at that time was at home and quintessentially the charm and character behind our cars. Now imagine that car with the backdrop of Bubba Gump Shrimp. No.

London sold its soul and all things British long ago. France would never do that, Nor would Germany. They have been the buyers at Britain's fire-sale. Look no further than Jaguar sold to Ford.

Thats why you dont see XKs there, there are more suited elsewhere.

I am glad I gave vent to that.

 

If it makes you feel any better when someone buys Bubba Gump Shrimp in the US the shrimp are more than likely a product of Asia or South America. I do business with the main shrimp importers in the US and the Gulf of Mexico (Louisiana) can't provide even 5% of the total amount of shrimp the US alone consumes without completely fishing it out. So those who eat at BG Shrimp in London are at an American Restaurant eating shrimp from Asia.

I stayed in Trafalgar Square, it was funny that there were two McDonalds, a Subway, and a Starbucks minutes from my hotel. I stuck to local venues.

I very much compared London to New York when people asked me what I thought of my visit. Very diverse ethnicities. Perhaps being from America we are used to a smorgasbord in our major cities as various ethnicities colonized their locales, i.e. Boston with Italian North End, Irish area, China Town. I could see how you feel as you see London change from a purely Brit experience.

My Wife enjoyed our 2015 trip to Ireland much more, but then again we drove all over and were not in Dublin for the majority of our stay. I think if we would have had the opportunity to venture outside of the city she might have felt the same? But alas, I had to conduct some business and it limited the time I had to partner on the tourism part of the trip.

 

Looking forward to our many stops in England, Scotland and Ireland. Thanks for the Saturday morning breakfast tip!

 

When I lived in the UK I recall driving my XKR into Chelsea and remember remarking that my car was unusual as every other GT was a DB9 or Vantage. I felt almost special

 

I see a few - in fact, my neighbour bought a silver MY13 XK about a month after I got the 75, so there are two in our street of 11 houses.

But they're not a common sight anywhere. Mind you, nor are Astons, Ferraris, etc., unless you go to Knightsbridge where the rich hang out.

 

On my last trip to London, I stayed at the Naval Club in Mayfair. I have never seen so many RR's and Ferrari's parked on the street in front of the club. One Ferrari in particular had to start and rev his engine very early every morning-very annoying......
Can't say I've ever seen any XK(R) on the streets, only the rare XJ (and police escort) with the PM disrupting traffic.

 

Since I was by the Parliament Building I saw an XJ with Police escort a couple of times. Didn't know who was getting the VIP treatment...