Just got a ride in a D-Type
Discussion
You need to host your pics with someone like www.photobucket.com, then add [pic].....your photos link here....[/pic]
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Hey guys, well I was at RM Car Auctions in Ypsilanti, MI and they just happened to have the D-Type there. They were about to load it in the transporter but the guy was nice enough to take me for a short ride. Wow, it was simply amazing, kept stalling but still an amazing experience. The sound was just beautiful. Here is the link to the picture's from another forum. www.pakwheels.com/forumreply_az_TopicID!17095~ForumID!6~pw.html
groomi said:
Philhopkins. Please read below. 
groomi said:
You lucky, lucky barsteward! 
Come on then... details, opinions, thoughts, impressions. We need the whole kaboodle!
It was probably a year ago or so now, but i'll do my best:
We had the vehicle at Royles over the summer period in 2005 to promote various dealership activies etc. (Apparently Jaguar have it insured for some circa £2m ??), the condition of the XK120 was absolutely stunning, not quite concourse but all original! I remember when it arrived, I fired it up, god the noise! I then drove it round the back into the workshop and remember absolutely crapping myself trying to get it lined up and on top of a ramp! It felt almost fragile to drive. I'd never been in anything quite like it, engaging gear was a nightmare until i learnt how to double de-clutch! I remember wondering how exactly someone had driven thousands of miles night and day in it.
My next drive came when taking the vehicle down to a ride and drive event, it was a beautiful sunny Saturday morning. Naturally the hood went down, through Wilmslow town centre at 9.30am... again, the noise! The heads that the car turned was amazing! All the Saturday morning 'breakfasters' outside Petit Delice stared... fantastic!
It's certainly not the easiest thing to drive, takes a bit of getting used to. It still feels smooth and pacey, and against my earlier comment, on the open road it feels solid, fun and dare i say it, refined? Just as you imagine it would.
I've driven many many different vehicles, XJ220's, E-Types, James Bond XKR, Ferraris, Astons etc etc but none have ever given me the same feeling as NUB 120. The heritage of that car coupled with the beauty of it will always be special.
I was pretty gutted when Jaguar rang up after a few months and said they were on their way to pick it up, nonetheless I thought that was my queue to give it a final blast. This is a car that you don't have to race up and down the high street in a vain bid to impress, it gave me no more joy driving it at 70 down the local bypass than it did driving at 20mph in the town. It's the feeling it gives you just being sat in the driving seat.
I probably won't ever get the chance to drive it again, i'm thankful I grabbed the opportunity when I could.
I was at the Aintree Festival of Historic Motorsport in November 04 where Norman Dewis was taking passengers out in a D-Type in aid of the Hawtorn Memorial Appeal. The man is in his 80s and a legend. That car was really moving even in icy conditions and during so called "demonstration" drives.
NUB 120 was also there and the atmosphere in the paddock was great. One could get right up close to the cars and drivers. Hope they are able to hold it again sometime.
NUB 120 was also there and the atmosphere in the paddock was great. One could get right up close to the cars and drivers. Hope they are able to hold it again sometime.
Philhopkins said:
I've driven many many different vehicles, XJ220's, E-Types, James Bond XKR, Ferraris, Astons etc etc but none have ever given me the same feeling as NUB 120. The heritage of that car coupled with the beauty of it will always be special.
Know what you mean. Racing Green Cars own the original New York Demonstrator XKSS.
This beautiful car exudes class and history just sitting peacefully in the showroom
And I haven't even driven it!
xkrman said:
Know what you mean. Racing Green Cars own the original New York Demonstrator XKSS.
This beautiful car exudes class and history just sitting peacefully in the showroom
And I haven't even driven it!
It doesn't just sit peacefully in the showroom, they also race it. The first time I went was just after Goodwood, they'd had a role cage fitted before it went there.
www.racinggreencars.com/news/story.asp?ArticleID=43.
Last time I was there the backend was being put back together. Looking inside the car it has obviously been loved - long, hard and FAST just how she intented to be.
Peter's C-Type recreation is pretty incredible too, I've not been in that either, but when I went to pick up my XK150 he'd was bringing the C back into the showroom. What a noise :-)
Sadly the replica XJ13 that used to sit alongside these two in the showroom has been sold - probably save me a divorce, I could see myself accidentally buying one day.
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