What it's like living with an E Type
On these pages you will see comments from E Type owners from around the world. We welcome submissions from everyone whether a current or past owner of these fabulous cars. We are trying to convey what it is like owning and living with an E Type - the friendship, the different events you can attend and new experiences that you would not otherwise encounter. You don't have to be rich to own an E Type and the myth that they are unreliable is simply not true. Looked after and maintained properly, I can remember breaking down only once in 30 odd years of ownership - and that was my fault!
The picture above was taken in 2011 when a group of European E Type owners got together for the E Type 50 celebrations and sums up one of the aspects of ownership. A brisk drive along the Cambridgeshire roads heading for lunch at Wimpole Hall. Below you will find some photographs of that event. Click the image to blow it up and read additional comments.
On these pages you will see comments from E Type owners from around the world. We welcome submissions from everyone whether a current or past owner of these fabulous cars. We are trying to convey what it is like owning and living with an E Type - the friendship, the different events you can attend and new experiences that you would not otherwise encounter. You don't have to be rich to own an E Type and the myth that they are unreliable is simply not true. Looked after and maintained properly, I can remember breaking down only once in 30 odd years of ownership - and that was my fault!
The picture above was taken in 2011 when a group of European E Type owners got together for the E Type 50 celebrations and sums up one of the aspects of ownership. A brisk drive along the Cambridgeshire roads heading for lunch at Wimpole Hall. Below you will find some photographs of that event. Click the image to blow it up and read additional comments.
14th July 2019 Vernasca Silver Flag (PB)
We were lucky to be sent these images taken by professional photographer Federico Cavazzini (www.xspirit.it) of 'Toby' taken at the Vernasca Silver Flag event this year. Really good to see our cars being used.
We were lucky to be sent these images taken by professional photographer Federico Cavazzini (www.xspirit.it) of 'Toby' taken at the Vernasca Silver Flag event this year. Really good to see our cars being used.
12th July 2019 Customer Feedback on recent Italian Trip.....
Having bought the car three years ago without any real knowledge of E-Types, I was lucky to have bought a basically sound LHD example from a dealer. I brought it up to Angus and liked the easy going style of dealing with customers. we planned the immediate issues that needed dealing with, plus the winter schedule to convert to RHD, change the diff ratio, and other improvements. This car was to be used and I wanted reliability above all else. I liked the fact that angus puts regular pictures and story on the website every week so I could see what was happening even without going and looking.
One or two wobbles have occurred along the way but with Murray and Leon giving it their best, the car has never let me down. They apply a almost fanatical level of detail, way beyond my DIY capabilities.
Three years on and I decided it was time to tick off a few things on my bucket list. After four months of planning, I set off on an eight day road trip of Europe, accompanied by my eldest son. My friend also came along with his son in his Triumph Spitfire. We set off via the Eurotunnel to Dusseldorf, where I ticked off the first item by catching the overnight car train to Innsbruck. We then drove up the Grossglockner Pass, the highest road in Austria at 2750m, before heading to Italy. The next day we drove the Stelvio Pass, the favourite of Mr Clarkson and friends. This was hard work, with a number of the hairpin bends requiring a three point turn. Eventually the top was reached at 2830m. The next day we visited the Zeppelin museum at Friedrichshafen before catching the ferry across Lake Constance and driving to Interlaken. Being fans of James Bond, we loved the trip to Piz Gloria, where they filmed OHMSS in 1969, and, believe it or not, "they were expecting us". We then drove to Mulhouse, where time precluded a visit to the Museum but it was midsummers night and two old ones showed the twenty year olds how to party!
The next day we drove the "road of the ridges", built by the French in WW1 to hide troop movements from the Germans. Amazing road, driving in the clouds at one point, and we also bumped int a Swiss car club out for a drive. Drove round a bend and there was a V12 e-Type at the end of a line of classy cars. The next day was Reims and the old race track, where I managed to get it over the ton on a quick blast past! We then visited the Arras war sites, including the amazing Canadian memorials,trenches and tunnels. A quick visit to the Blockhaus V2 site the next day and off to the Eurotunnel, where we bumped into another E-Type plus various other classics.It made me laugh when the UK passport officer asked if there was anyone else in the car with us! My sarcastic reply of where? led to a chat about our trip and what we had done, the first time I've ever had more than two words out of them
Over eight days we covered 1400miles plus another 600 miles in trains. Throughout the journey the car didn't miss a beat and performed perfectly. Sadly the Spitfire was not the same, having temperature sender, overheated brakes, windscreen surround and bonnet catches taped down, electrics coming apart, etc. All in all a great testament to both the quality of the car, as well as the sterling work by Moss Jaguar. We got admiring looks everywhere we went and it was a daily requirement to open the bonnet and show people the engine.
Funnily enough when I went to get the car out a week later, it had a flat tyre! Already have a short trip planned to Belgium and Netherlands for the end of the summer with the wives, and maybe Ireland next year. JB
Having bought the car three years ago without any real knowledge of E-Types, I was lucky to have bought a basically sound LHD example from a dealer. I brought it up to Angus and liked the easy going style of dealing with customers. we planned the immediate issues that needed dealing with, plus the winter schedule to convert to RHD, change the diff ratio, and other improvements. This car was to be used and I wanted reliability above all else. I liked the fact that angus puts regular pictures and story on the website every week so I could see what was happening even without going and looking.
One or two wobbles have occurred along the way but with Murray and Leon giving it their best, the car has never let me down. They apply a almost fanatical level of detail, way beyond my DIY capabilities.
Three years on and I decided it was time to tick off a few things on my bucket list. After four months of planning, I set off on an eight day road trip of Europe, accompanied by my eldest son. My friend also came along with his son in his Triumph Spitfire. We set off via the Eurotunnel to Dusseldorf, where I ticked off the first item by catching the overnight car train to Innsbruck. We then drove up the Grossglockner Pass, the highest road in Austria at 2750m, before heading to Italy. The next day we drove the Stelvio Pass, the favourite of Mr Clarkson and friends. This was hard work, with a number of the hairpin bends requiring a three point turn. Eventually the top was reached at 2830m. The next day we visited the Zeppelin museum at Friedrichshafen before catching the ferry across Lake Constance and driving to Interlaken. Being fans of James Bond, we loved the trip to Piz Gloria, where they filmed OHMSS in 1969, and, believe it or not, "they were expecting us". We then drove to Mulhouse, where time precluded a visit to the Museum but it was midsummers night and two old ones showed the twenty year olds how to party!
The next day we drove the "road of the ridges", built by the French in WW1 to hide troop movements from the Germans. Amazing road, driving in the clouds at one point, and we also bumped int a Swiss car club out for a drive. Drove round a bend and there was a V12 e-Type at the end of a line of classy cars. The next day was Reims and the old race track, where I managed to get it over the ton on a quick blast past! We then visited the Arras war sites, including the amazing Canadian memorials,trenches and tunnels. A quick visit to the Blockhaus V2 site the next day and off to the Eurotunnel, where we bumped into another E-Type plus various other classics.It made me laugh when the UK passport officer asked if there was anyone else in the car with us! My sarcastic reply of where? led to a chat about our trip and what we had done, the first time I've ever had more than two words out of them
Over eight days we covered 1400miles plus another 600 miles in trains. Throughout the journey the car didn't miss a beat and performed perfectly. Sadly the Spitfire was not the same, having temperature sender, overheated brakes, windscreen surround and bonnet catches taped down, electrics coming apart, etc. All in all a great testament to both the quality of the car, as well as the sterling work by Moss Jaguar. We got admiring looks everywhere we went and it was a daily requirement to open the bonnet and show people the engine.
Funnily enough when I went to get the car out a week later, it had a flat tyre! Already have a short trip planned to Belgium and Netherlands for the end of the summer with the wives, and maybe Ireland next year. JB
24th May 2019
A couple of shots of our German tour this week - over 1200 trouble free miles. Brilliant fun with great places to stay, fantastic food oh and some really good company.
A couple of shots of our German tour this week - over 1200 trouble free miles. Brilliant fun with great places to stay, fantastic food oh and some really good company.
13th July 2018
The Works Hack was pressed into service as a Prom Car on Friday for Barry's daughter. Here is Leon acting as chauffeur to Natalie. They all looked gorgeous!
This is our second red FHC pictured outside Maison au Quat Saison. We must go and see what the attraction is - now, where can I borrow a Red FHC from?
The Works Hack was pressed into service as a Prom Car on Friday for Barry's daughter. Here is Leon acting as chauffeur to Natalie. They all looked gorgeous!
This is our second red FHC pictured outside Maison au Quat Saison. We must go and see what the attraction is - now, where can I borrow a Red FHC from?
21st May 2018
Final shot is of the Works Hack fresh back from our recent 2000+ mile continental trip down to Italy for this years Mille Miglia. Note the baggage - try and carry that in an F Type - AND we have a spare wheel!
Final shot is of the Works Hack fresh back from our recent 2000+ mile continental trip down to Italy for this years Mille Miglia. Note the baggage - try and carry that in an F Type - AND we have a spare wheel!
March 2018
The owner of the yellow S1 FHC sent us this photo of his car taken in Prague. Still looking good
The owner of the yellow S1 FHC sent us this photo of his car taken in Prague. Still looking good
January 2018
It's always great when a plan comes off and the S2 2+2 that we rebuilt for Carl and Siobhan was not only finished in time but performed perfectly as their wedding car.
It's always great when a plan comes off and the S2 2+2 that we rebuilt for Carl and Siobhan was not only finished in time but performed perfectly as their wedding car.
Received this image from a customer, Maurice, whilst on holiday in France recently. Car performed perfectly over 2k miles (we only supplied the seats but they performed well!).
E Types parked in the old pit lane at Reims September 2017
18th September 2017
Its always uplifting to read favourable comments from our customers and we received this from Grahame Wardell, owner of a S1 4.2 FHC... (Worth mentioning that Grahame races a Caterham so his remarks regarding handling are extremely valid).
ALL MY CHRISTMASES
Following several visits to the Goodwood Revival over the years I had always felt my day was lacking the vital ingredient of a car in the garage old enough to be part of the ‘show’.
This coupled to a post retirement desire to buy something I had always lusted after but never thought possible in my youth led to a two year search that culminated 18 months ago with the purchase of a 1965 FHC with Angus’ blessing following his pre purchase inspection.
Following 3 sojourns in the workshop, this year has been about learning the car, putting miles on it and getting comfortable that it could be reliable. Following earlier trips to the Cotswolds and Norfolk, this culminated with 400+ miles over a long weekend geared around the 2017 Goodwood Revival.
What did we learn? Firstly the E type still holds up pretty well on motorways (plenty of torque for top gear visits to the outside lane) and A roads (still crisp roadholding handling and braking) as a comfortable speedy stylish way of getting from A to B.
Having loaded 3 cases (Porsche Boxster fitted luggage fits an E type almost perfectly), 2 suit bags, a hamper, 2 fold up chairs and a hat box we were pleasantly surprised that this is a Jaguar that can really be used (try doing that in an F Type convertible).
As many will know this year the Revival was a quagmire, but narrow tyres lots of low down torque and an LSD allowed us places modern supercars feared to tread. This was however at the expense of the 4 days solid cleaning and polishing I did before the event now having more of the Goodwood estate under the car than remains in Sussex.
Despite my preference to keep the original flymo fan, Angus’ work ensured temperatures were kept under control in the 1 hour plus queue to get out of the car parks and the weekend was completed with a quick trip to Southampton so the original restorer could see the car for the first time since 1992 and the next day a surprisingly quick A3/M25/M11 return to Suffolk.
So we have learnt that a well set up E type (thank you the team at MossJaguar) is practical, comfortable, can more than live with modern traffic, still attracts admiring glances and comments from young and old alike and allowed this car nut a weekend to remember and built the confidence to start planning even longer trips next year.
Now Angus; what about the diff oil leak, the wind noise, the leaks in torrential rain, the wipers…………
Its always uplifting to read favourable comments from our customers and we received this from Grahame Wardell, owner of a S1 4.2 FHC... (Worth mentioning that Grahame races a Caterham so his remarks regarding handling are extremely valid).
ALL MY CHRISTMASES
Following several visits to the Goodwood Revival over the years I had always felt my day was lacking the vital ingredient of a car in the garage old enough to be part of the ‘show’.
This coupled to a post retirement desire to buy something I had always lusted after but never thought possible in my youth led to a two year search that culminated 18 months ago with the purchase of a 1965 FHC with Angus’ blessing following his pre purchase inspection.
Following 3 sojourns in the workshop, this year has been about learning the car, putting miles on it and getting comfortable that it could be reliable. Following earlier trips to the Cotswolds and Norfolk, this culminated with 400+ miles over a long weekend geared around the 2017 Goodwood Revival.
What did we learn? Firstly the E type still holds up pretty well on motorways (plenty of torque for top gear visits to the outside lane) and A roads (still crisp roadholding handling and braking) as a comfortable speedy stylish way of getting from A to B.
Having loaded 3 cases (Porsche Boxster fitted luggage fits an E type almost perfectly), 2 suit bags, a hamper, 2 fold up chairs and a hat box we were pleasantly surprised that this is a Jaguar that can really be used (try doing that in an F Type convertible).
As many will know this year the Revival was a quagmire, but narrow tyres lots of low down torque and an LSD allowed us places modern supercars feared to tread. This was however at the expense of the 4 days solid cleaning and polishing I did before the event now having more of the Goodwood estate under the car than remains in Sussex.
Despite my preference to keep the original flymo fan, Angus’ work ensured temperatures were kept under control in the 1 hour plus queue to get out of the car parks and the weekend was completed with a quick trip to Southampton so the original restorer could see the car for the first time since 1992 and the next day a surprisingly quick A3/M25/M11 return to Suffolk.
So we have learnt that a well set up E type (thank you the team at MossJaguar) is practical, comfortable, can more than live with modern traffic, still attracts admiring glances and comments from young and old alike and allowed this car nut a weekend to remember and built the confidence to start planning even longer trips next year.
Now Angus; what about the diff oil leak, the wind noise, the leaks in torrential rain, the wipers…………
18th August 2017
Another customer car, this time the Blue S1 4.2 (JH) during a trip to Le Mans this year.
Another customer car, this time the Blue S1 4.2 (JH) during a trip to Le Mans this year.
16th August 2017
Always great to hear back from owners driving their cars. Here is Ron (we fitted new doors and a few other small jobs) on duty recently outside Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons for a Bastille Day lunch.
Always great to hear back from owners driving their cars. Here is Ron (we fitted new doors and a few other small jobs) on duty recently outside Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons for a Bastille Day lunch.
23rd June 2017
We had some fantastic weather this week and so I took the Works Hack out for a pint. Nick Salmon took these shots just I left for an hours evening drive (coolest I'd been all week!). I don't often get the chance to do this any more but have to say I was smiling most of the time! Note to self 'must do it more often'.....
We had some fantastic weather this week and so I took the Works Hack out for a pint. Nick Salmon took these shots just I left for an hours evening drive (coolest I'd been all week!). I don't often get the chance to do this any more but have to say I was smiling most of the time! Note to self 'must do it more often'.....
3rd March 2017
Saw this comment on one of the Jaguar Forums. Simple question: Why do owners of E Types like their cars so much? One reply just had to be shared....
Because it is art. Subjectively beautiful. Not so much rational as
visceral, though one increasingly appreciates its genius the more
often one disassembles and reassembles it. It quickens the pulse.
It floods the senses. A movable feast for the eyes and sensational
to the touch. The smell of the leather and the exhaust and the oil
and the fuel. The busy mechanical sound of the XK valve train, the
gearbox and the exhaust note. The buffeting of the wind. The Gs
when you take a corner really fast and the IRS refuses to break
away. The way it throws you back into the seat and the ferocious
sound of the engine when you hammer the throttle. The way it
commands your full attention and co-ordination at speed on a twisty
road. How it affects your current priorities and occupies your
thoughts when it isn't running quite right and then how it makes
you feel when it's back. One could almost call it love. :o)
Our thanks go to Nick Saltarelli
Saw this comment on one of the Jaguar Forums. Simple question: Why do owners of E Types like their cars so much? One reply just had to be shared....
Because it is art. Subjectively beautiful. Not so much rational as
visceral, though one increasingly appreciates its genius the more
often one disassembles and reassembles it. It quickens the pulse.
It floods the senses. A movable feast for the eyes and sensational
to the touch. The smell of the leather and the exhaust and the oil
and the fuel. The busy mechanical sound of the XK valve train, the
gearbox and the exhaust note. The buffeting of the wind. The Gs
when you take a corner really fast and the IRS refuses to break
away. The way it throws you back into the seat and the ferocious
sound of the engine when you hammer the throttle. The way it
commands your full attention and co-ordination at speed on a twisty
road. How it affects your current priorities and occupies your
thoughts when it isn't running quite right and then how it makes
you feel when it's back. One could almost call it love. :o)
Our thanks go to Nick Saltarelli
15th July 2016
Always good to hear from customers and how they are getting on with their cars. Received this from Brian earlier on (Red S2 FHC, Engine, suspension and rear axle build):
Hi Angus,
Just thought you’d be interested to know that we’ve just got back from this year’s road trip. Thought it was going to be a bit less driving than our trip to Angouleme last year but we still clocked up 1000 miles.
We crossed to Dunkirk, then straight to Tyne Cot cemetery near Ypres. Then down to Vimy Ridge near Arras and on down to Laon for two nights. Day trip to the Verdun area to see the ossuary, what a bizarre place, and a number of other sites.
A couple of hours in Reims motor museum, then to the old Gueux Grand Prix circuit for photos. Then across to Beauvais for two nights calling at the Armistice Coach in the forest at Compiegne on the way. Day trip from there back to the Somme battlefields. Final day spent a few hours in St Valery on the Somme estuary before catching the ferry from Dieppe.
I’ve attached a couple of photos, two of the car by the pits at Reims, one of it taking a rest while we visited Lochnagar Crater at La Boisselle and one in the car park at Thiepval Memorial. As we walked back the car beside us was just parking, a 1927 Donnet type K, apparently one of only four known survivors and the only one in Britain. And I thought we were brave, touring in an E type !
The car ran fine all the way. The temp gauge hardly got above the middle of normal despite very warm days and the water level never changed. It used less than 2 pints of oil and averaged about 20 mpg. On a less positive note, despite fitting a complete new standard exhaust system my droning noise is still there. I don’t know what to try next, it’s driving me bananas ! And I have a couple of other odd noises which I would like you to listen to when I can get up to you.
Well that’s enough waffle. We had great fun on some wonderful roads and attracted quite a bit of interest. I love that car. Hope to get up for a visit soon
All the best,
Brian
Always good to hear from customers and how they are getting on with their cars. Received this from Brian earlier on (Red S2 FHC, Engine, suspension and rear axle build):
Hi Angus,
Just thought you’d be interested to know that we’ve just got back from this year’s road trip. Thought it was going to be a bit less driving than our trip to Angouleme last year but we still clocked up 1000 miles.
We crossed to Dunkirk, then straight to Tyne Cot cemetery near Ypres. Then down to Vimy Ridge near Arras and on down to Laon for two nights. Day trip to the Verdun area to see the ossuary, what a bizarre place, and a number of other sites.
A couple of hours in Reims motor museum, then to the old Gueux Grand Prix circuit for photos. Then across to Beauvais for two nights calling at the Armistice Coach in the forest at Compiegne on the way. Day trip from there back to the Somme battlefields. Final day spent a few hours in St Valery on the Somme estuary before catching the ferry from Dieppe.
I’ve attached a couple of photos, two of the car by the pits at Reims, one of it taking a rest while we visited Lochnagar Crater at La Boisselle and one in the car park at Thiepval Memorial. As we walked back the car beside us was just parking, a 1927 Donnet type K, apparently one of only four known survivors and the only one in Britain. And I thought we were brave, touring in an E type !
The car ran fine all the way. The temp gauge hardly got above the middle of normal despite very warm days and the water level never changed. It used less than 2 pints of oil and averaged about 20 mpg. On a less positive note, despite fitting a complete new standard exhaust system my droning noise is still there. I don’t know what to try next, it’s driving me bananas ! And I have a couple of other odd noises which I would like you to listen to when I can get up to you.
Well that’s enough waffle. We had great fun on some wonderful roads and attracted quite a bit of interest. I love that car. Hope to get up for a visit soon
All the best,
Brian
.22nd May 2016
Old chum John popped in on his way to Monaco on Monday. Popped the car on the ramp, greased it up and ran a spanner over it to make sure all was well before his journey. Second photo shows him at Le Mans. He has now left Cannes and is staying in Monaco (walking the Grand Prix track) prior to heading further South.
Old chum John popped in on his way to Monaco on Monday. Popped the car on the ramp, greased it up and ran a spanner over it to make sure all was well before his journey. Second photo shows him at Le Mans. He has now left Cannes and is staying in Monaco (walking the Grand Prix track) prior to heading further South.
27th April 2016
Took the Works Hack out to Bicester for 'Drive it Day'. Bit cold but what a fantastic place! It is a mecca for classic car companies and really interesting talking to the companies that had taken the time to open up. Good piece of networking!
Took the Works Hack out to Bicester for 'Drive it Day'. Bit cold but what a fantastic place! It is a mecca for classic car companies and really interesting talking to the companies that had taken the time to open up. Good piece of networking!
10th April 2016
Received this picture from Stephen last week. Just love different photos of E Types and this one really shows the lines in the reflections.
Received this picture from Stephen last week. Just love different photos of E Types and this one really shows the lines in the reflections.
25th September 2015
The Red S2 FHC that we rebuilt the engine, front suspension and rear axle on earlier in the year has just returned from a trip over to Angouleme. We received these photos from the delighted owner along with these comments:
"Hi Angus, Here, as requested, are a few photos from Angouleme. The first is proof we actually got there ! The next few are from the International Rally, a leisurely drive of around 100 miles round the Cognac countryside. As you can see it started off miserable but turned into a lovely day. The photos of us actually driving the car are downloaded from the official photographer’s website. The rally finished in the town centre where there were hundreds of people gathered and we had to drive in turn over the ramp. A couple of shots from the paddock on race day. I’ve never seen so many Bugattis together. Lots of interesting cars from Mini to Delahaye, Allard to Studebaker and numerous weird creations based on Panhards. I gave up trying to take pictures of the racing – all I was getting was pictures of the fencing ! The final race of the day finished dramatically and prematurely when a Porsche burst into flames right in front of us. The final picture shows our car at the Pegasus Bridge memorial on the way back to the ferry port at Ouistreham. Unfortunately we got there just as the museum was closing but I managed to get the shot with the original wartime bridge which is preserved in the museum grounds. The current bridge which we then crossed to get to the port is built in an almost identical style. On reaching the town we stopped for a while on the seafront and had a short wander in the drizzle along Sword Beach. Hard to imagine the carnage that happened there 71 years ago. I hope they are of interest and feel free to use whichever ones you like, Regards, Brian"
We all appreciate owners getting back in touch and sharing adventures with their cars. (Particularly when things go well!.
The picture is of an early Blue 3.8 FHC that accompanied us over to Spa last weekend. Next shot is of Steffi and I following Zoli and Sascha on our way to Marche. Seems like years ago now!
The Red S2 FHC that we rebuilt the engine, front suspension and rear axle on earlier in the year has just returned from a trip over to Angouleme. We received these photos from the delighted owner along with these comments:
"Hi Angus, Here, as requested, are a few photos from Angouleme. The first is proof we actually got there ! The next few are from the International Rally, a leisurely drive of around 100 miles round the Cognac countryside. As you can see it started off miserable but turned into a lovely day. The photos of us actually driving the car are downloaded from the official photographer’s website. The rally finished in the town centre where there were hundreds of people gathered and we had to drive in turn over the ramp. A couple of shots from the paddock on race day. I’ve never seen so many Bugattis together. Lots of interesting cars from Mini to Delahaye, Allard to Studebaker and numerous weird creations based on Panhards. I gave up trying to take pictures of the racing – all I was getting was pictures of the fencing ! The final race of the day finished dramatically and prematurely when a Porsche burst into flames right in front of us. The final picture shows our car at the Pegasus Bridge memorial on the way back to the ferry port at Ouistreham. Unfortunately we got there just as the museum was closing but I managed to get the shot with the original wartime bridge which is preserved in the museum grounds. The current bridge which we then crossed to get to the port is built in an almost identical style. On reaching the town we stopped for a while on the seafront and had a short wander in the drizzle along Sword Beach. Hard to imagine the carnage that happened there 71 years ago. I hope they are of interest and feel free to use whichever ones you like, Regards, Brian"
We all appreciate owners getting back in touch and sharing adventures with their cars. (Particularly when things go well!.
The picture is of an early Blue 3.8 FHC that accompanied us over to Spa last weekend. Next shot is of Steffi and I following Zoli and Sascha on our way to Marche. Seems like years ago now!
24th July 2015
We took this lovely old girl down to Broadstairs in Kent on Wednesday. A 1959 Mk IX. Never been restored, welded, chromed, trimmed or repainted. Just sailed there and back totalling 250 miles. Notastalgic trip down memory lane.
We took this lovely old girl down to Broadstairs in Kent on Wednesday. A 1959 Mk IX. Never been restored, welded, chromed, trimmed or repainted. Just sailed there and back totalling 250 miles. Notastalgic trip down memory lane.
22nd April 2015
Another busy period only this time I had 2 days off to travel to Essen for the Classico show. Then on to Arnhem to look at Pegasus Bridge. Great trip, the car went well (850 miles) with no problems. The type 35 Bugatti is not in the workshop unfortunately. They are such a fantastic machine that I had to share the photograph. 3 E Types sitting outside our hotel prior to our trip over to Arnhem and finally, the Works Hack after our epic jaunt. Absolutely covered in flies.
Another busy period only this time I had 2 days off to travel to Essen for the Classico show. Then on to Arnhem to look at Pegasus Bridge. Great trip, the car went well (850 miles) with no problems. The type 35 Bugatti is not in the workshop unfortunately. They are such a fantastic machine that I had to share the photograph. 3 E Types sitting outside our hotel prior to our trip over to Arnhem and finally, the Works Hack after our epic jaunt. Absolutely covered in flies.
7th December 2014
Pictures my daughter took on our trip out to Goodwood in September.
Pictures my daughter took on our trip out to Goodwood in September.
23rd September 2014
Weekend was spent on the Continent with the E Type with a trip over to Spa Francochamps for the 6 hour race. Fantastic venue and great racing. On the way over, I stopped in Eperlecques to view the WW2 V2 Blockhaus (see www.leblockhaus.com). Amazing place and worth a visit. Lunch proved more difficult as I had forgotten that France closes at 1.30 and it is just about impossible to get food! I found a small Patisserie and managed to buy a Cinnamon bun which kept me going until the evening.
The 3rd photo is of the light shower I was caught in. Fortunately, I carry towels in the car for such an eventuality. The next picture is of what happens when you set the satnav to choose the quickest route avoiding motorways - and no, I didn't bother trying to see if I could get through the tunnel. Next up is of a photo opportunity we discovered in Belgium. Always nice to find different backgrounds to take pictures with.
Last few are a selection of photos taken in the pits at Spa. Interesting to see how low they run the lightweight E Types in race trim, note the angle of the top wishbone! Then a shot of a Williams F1 car from the 80s (ex Alan Jones). Great to see and hear these cars racing in the F1 masters series.
Journey home was uneventful with lunch near Cassel. I found a 17th century windmill to gaze at while sipping tea and tucking into what seemed like an endless bagette. Overall 1000 miles covered, great times with great mates oh, and who said these cars are unreliable?
Weekend was spent on the Continent with the E Type with a trip over to Spa Francochamps for the 6 hour race. Fantastic venue and great racing. On the way over, I stopped in Eperlecques to view the WW2 V2 Blockhaus (see www.leblockhaus.com). Amazing place and worth a visit. Lunch proved more difficult as I had forgotten that France closes at 1.30 and it is just about impossible to get food! I found a small Patisserie and managed to buy a Cinnamon bun which kept me going until the evening.
The 3rd photo is of the light shower I was caught in. Fortunately, I carry towels in the car for such an eventuality. The next picture is of what happens when you set the satnav to choose the quickest route avoiding motorways - and no, I didn't bother trying to see if I could get through the tunnel. Next up is of a photo opportunity we discovered in Belgium. Always nice to find different backgrounds to take pictures with.
Last few are a selection of photos taken in the pits at Spa. Interesting to see how low they run the lightweight E Types in race trim, note the angle of the top wishbone! Then a shot of a Williams F1 car from the 80s (ex Alan Jones). Great to see and hear these cars racing in the F1 masters series.
Journey home was uneventful with lunch near Cassel. I found a 17th century windmill to gaze at while sipping tea and tucking into what seemed like an endless bagette. Overall 1000 miles covered, great times with great mates oh, and who said these cars are unreliable?
15th September 2014
Goodwood was fantastic and we couldn't resist photos of two very important E Types. Firstly the old campaigner, CUT7. Incredible racing history worth reading up on. The second car is the prototype new Lightweight. I was lucky enough to have a long chat with the Jaguar Chief Engineer on the project. Halfway through the conversation, Barrie 'Whizzo' Williams joined us and it was fascinating to hear his thoughts on the new car as well as some of his memories of driving the originals. A real hero.
The journey home was pretty awful with an hour crawling on the M25. Still, the old girl performed marvelously and we got home, tired at about 2000. Great day and if you have any interest in Classic Cars, go.
Goodwood was fantastic and we couldn't resist photos of two very important E Types. Firstly the old campaigner, CUT7. Incredible racing history worth reading up on. The second car is the prototype new Lightweight. I was lucky enough to have a long chat with the Jaguar Chief Engineer on the project. Halfway through the conversation, Barrie 'Whizzo' Williams joined us and it was fascinating to hear his thoughts on the new car as well as some of his memories of driving the originals. A real hero.
The journey home was pretty awful with an hour crawling on the M25. Still, the old girl performed marvelously and we got home, tired at about 2000. Great day and if you have any interest in Classic Cars, go.
Below are a collection of pictures we have received over the years from various E Type owners.
Spa 20-23 September 2013
Pictures below are of our trip to the Spa 6 hour race with a group of E Type owners. Covering 1200 miles in 4 days all the cars performed faultlessly. Great weekend superbly organised by our Belgian chum, Philippe.
9th June 2013
E Type Day at Prescott Hill. Organised by the International E Type Register. Once again, a great day out and the weather ensured that picnics could be enjoyed in the sunshine.
The 'Works Hack' scrubbed up well, so well in fact that some serious discussion was had about selling it and taking another S1 roadster in part exchange! Watch this space as I might be tempted!
All in all another well organised event by the Register and a cream tea on the way home with friends ensured that Mrs MossJaguar enjoyed the day.
The 'Works Hack' scrubbed up well, so well in fact that some serious discussion was had about selling it and taking another S1 roadster in part exchange! Watch this space as I might be tempted!
All in all another well organised event by the Register and a cream tea on the way home with friends ensured that Mrs MossJaguar enjoyed the day.
11th May 2013 - SNGB Open Day
Took a trip out to the SNG Barrett Open Day in Bridgnorth today. 10% off parts, free pizza and great company - what could be better?
Picture shows 4 of the Barrett 'crew' guarding an XJS. Great bunch of guys!
Picture shows 4 of the Barrett 'crew' guarding an XJS. Great bunch of guys!
26th Feb 2013
Always nice to receive trip reports from E Typers using their cars. The following popped into our inbox yesterday and outlines a trip to Spa last year. Enjoy!
A trip by E-type to Spa, September 2012 Part I
“We’re ready lets go!”
It’s around 10.30 Thursday morning, every spare moment of the previous few days has been spent checking every detail, the route, the times, the hotel bookings, spares packed, tools checked, oil & water levels checked, all the “what ifs?” have been gone through time and time again, at some point you have to turn the key, press the button, and just go!
The car for this trip is my 1962 3.8 e-type FHC, in indigo blue and as clean as I can get it. Its about eight years since I finished the restoration and its been little used since due to the fact it’s only got two seats and we have been a family of four. It’s never let me down on all the short trips we’ve done together, let’s hope this can be said on our return from this trip.
We take the back roads to Bedford and then onto Letchworth where we have planned an over night stop, this allows us to meet up with some friends who we will be travelling the rest of journey with us, in their silver grey e-type series 1 4.2 drop head roadster.
A good evening is spent in a local restaurant over a meal and excited chat about the weekend a head. The meeting time of 7am is agreed for the next morning and we retire to a hotel.
6.30am Friday morning and it’s just about light in the hotel car park, one head light has decided to emit a dim yellow glow and no amount of tapping on the glass cover and wing will encourage it to wake up, we carry on regardless to rendezvous just around the corner, we hoped to leave at seven but the third car to complete the group, a nice white series 1 4.2 drop head is late by half an hour, mechanical problems on the way here? No sleepy driver problem! In the end we get away at about 7.30 for a fast drive through the morning traffic to the channel tunnel. We arrive within 15 minutes of our allotted slot at the automatic check in barrier. The series 1 4.2 starts to let off steam and has a growing puddle of water running from underneath its front, this causes us no concern but an employee of the tunnel spots the sudden cloud of steam and stops any further movement of this car until their “engineer” has looked at it. Two cars proceed to the terminal having agreed we will wait over in France. It feels so wrong, but it’s out of our hands having checked in we are separated and that’s it.
It’s with great relief that after a shot time we spot the front of a white e-type working it’s way along the slip road to the terminal, the “engineer” having given it the all clear, a couple of bottles of mineral water are added to its header tank and we head for the boarding ramps, only for us all to be delayed half an hour because they have over sold tickets for our train. Our cars soon draw attention from other drivers and we chat with some e-type owners from Switzerland who are returning home having been to the Goodwood revival meeting. There are also other foreign classics in the line, but the e-types are like a magnet.
The trip through the tunnel goes by in a flash and we are soon driving on the right hand side of the road in bright sunshine.
In the run-up to the trip it was decided we should avoid as much of the motorways as we can and I was appointed as the lead car and responsible for plotting a course over the 199 miles from Sangatte to Marche-en-Famenne in Belgium that would give us maximum driving enjoyment. A key point of the route is junction 46 of the A16 motorway about 4 km from the tunnel, this is where we get off the motorway and take to the back roads. Soon we pass around Saint Omer and head towards Arras on the D341 for our lunch stop.
A trip by E-type to Spa, September 2012 Part I
“We’re ready lets go!”
It’s around 10.30 Thursday morning, every spare moment of the previous few days has been spent checking every detail, the route, the times, the hotel bookings, spares packed, tools checked, oil & water levels checked, all the “what ifs?” have been gone through time and time again, at some point you have to turn the key, press the button, and just go!
The car for this trip is my 1962 3.8 e-type FHC, in indigo blue and as clean as I can get it. Its about eight years since I finished the restoration and its been little used since due to the fact it’s only got two seats and we have been a family of four. It’s never let me down on all the short trips we’ve done together, let’s hope this can be said on our return from this trip.
We take the back roads to Bedford and then onto Letchworth where we have planned an over night stop, this allows us to meet up with some friends who we will be travelling the rest of journey with us, in their silver grey e-type series 1 4.2 drop head roadster.
A good evening is spent in a local restaurant over a meal and excited chat about the weekend a head. The meeting time of 7am is agreed for the next morning and we retire to a hotel.
6.30am Friday morning and it’s just about light in the hotel car park, one head light has decided to emit a dim yellow glow and no amount of tapping on the glass cover and wing will encourage it to wake up, we carry on regardless to rendezvous just around the corner, we hoped to leave at seven but the third car to complete the group, a nice white series 1 4.2 drop head is late by half an hour, mechanical problems on the way here? No sleepy driver problem! In the end we get away at about 7.30 for a fast drive through the morning traffic to the channel tunnel. We arrive within 15 minutes of our allotted slot at the automatic check in barrier. The series 1 4.2 starts to let off steam and has a growing puddle of water running from underneath its front, this causes us no concern but an employee of the tunnel spots the sudden cloud of steam and stops any further movement of this car until their “engineer” has looked at it. Two cars proceed to the terminal having agreed we will wait over in France. It feels so wrong, but it’s out of our hands having checked in we are separated and that’s it.
It’s with great relief that after a shot time we spot the front of a white e-type working it’s way along the slip road to the terminal, the “engineer” having given it the all clear, a couple of bottles of mineral water are added to its header tank and we head for the boarding ramps, only for us all to be delayed half an hour because they have over sold tickets for our train. Our cars soon draw attention from other drivers and we chat with some e-type owners from Switzerland who are returning home having been to the Goodwood revival meeting. There are also other foreign classics in the line, but the e-types are like a magnet.
The trip through the tunnel goes by in a flash and we are soon driving on the right hand side of the road in bright sunshine.
In the run-up to the trip it was decided we should avoid as much of the motorways as we can and I was appointed as the lead car and responsible for plotting a course over the 199 miles from Sangatte to Marche-en-Famenne in Belgium that would give us maximum driving enjoyment. A key point of the route is junction 46 of the A16 motorway about 4 km from the tunnel, this is where we get off the motorway and take to the back roads. Soon we pass around Saint Omer and head towards Arras on the D341 for our lunch stop.
A trip by E-type to Spa, September 2012 Part II
Well we fail with lunch, the half hour delay in England plus the extra hour added on for French time resulted in us arriving in the Grand Place, Arras at 2.30pm just as all the cafes and restaurants closed, typical French. The only place open is Subway, not what we expected to be eating but it’ll do. This allows us to recover the lost time as it only takes half an hour, instead of the predicted hour and a half for lunch and we are soon heading out of town, after filling up with fuel, on the D939 Rue de Cambrai. If you pick your route in France with care you will find some the nicest roads you could imagine, passing through lush farmland, small villages and pretty towns, sometimes a bit rundown to our eyes but never boring. If you like driving your classic car nowhere could be better than France.
Cambrai is in our sights as we press on down the D939 making good time and seeing a lot that the motorway would just take us past behind trees and embankments.
We pass around the centre of Cambrai on what must be the ring road along side a canal and gardens, this place is worth a visit but we still have away to go so we press on out the other side of town on the D643. Looking for the village of Le Cateau-Cambresis because after this we have to turn left, if you look at a map the road to this point, since Saint Omer, looks straight so this little left turn up the D959 is quite an event. It takes us through some wooded hills to the Belgian boarder, which is marked by the standard European sign and a red and white barrier sticking up in the air looking rather sad for its self. The roads change a bit but not much its still nice. We press on past Philippeville along the N97 which is now a two lane highway and meets the N4 which will take us to our destination for the day, Marche-en-Femenne.
We arrive at our hotel at about 8.30pm, I’ve been here before and I know where the entrance is to the underground car park is but its been coned off preventing access, just as I’m about to jump out, from nowhere appears a rather excite, suited, Belgian gentleman who clears away the cones and waves us down the ramp into the brightly light garage, which is full of classic Mercedes Benze sl 280’s and the like! The best parking spaces are roped off and marked for e-types only!
“Don’t mention the war.”
A great trip, tiring but very enjoyable, we dine in the hotel with a friend, who lives nearby and talk about plans for Saturday, we all sleep very well.
So what next?
Day two.
Saturday morning, a good breakfast is served by the hotel and we meet in the garage, there are the usual raised bonnets as we look for faults that are not there, the white car hasn’t used any more water despite the long fast drive yesterday. Nobody needs oil so we are fit to go. The “Stukka pilots” (Merc sl drivers) have all departed on their own tour with posh route books and maps.
Our local friend has arrived to guide us to Spa in his series 3 V12 e-type. He stands at the top of the garage’s exit road and takes photos as one by one we launch our cars up the steep ramp, all you can see is sky but you know as soon as you are at the top you must turn right or hit the parked cars. I think one year someone will get it wrong, that’s why he likes to take the photos. We set off to the track, not by the most direct route but along some good roads through
the wooded hills of the Ardennes region of Belgium, the sun is out and there’s very little traffic to get in the way of our spirited drive.
The journey takes around an hour and just before the entrance to Spa we pull into a petrol station and meet up with two other e-types, one from France and the other from Holland, both old friends we have not seen since last years Spa six hour race meeting. After a brief chat and much handshaking we make our way to the circuit. Classic cars are made very welcome and are parked close to the track near the pits and this makes for a very good day.
It’s difficult to stay together as a group so Mandy and I wander off and just try to take in as much of the sights, sounds and smells that only old race cars can produce, the old F1 cars of the 60’s and 70’s are so loud it hurts our ears, you really can get very close to the machines at this event.
All too soon we run out of steam and decide to make our way back to the cars and sit in the sun to watch the race. Slowly our group drifts back to the cars and at around 5 o’clock a collective decision in made to set off for the hotel. Departing is easy, there is no queue the traffic is light and soon there is just our group of now five e-types on the road, turning heads as we pass through small towns and villages in bright sunshine. Our guide takes us back along a
different route to the one we came on adding to the enjoyment of the day.
We share a good meal in the hotel that night, talk about the day, the cars, and make plans for Sunday.
Day 3
Sunday, we are aware of the journey we have before us today, 400 miles, the weather forecast is for rain, but we choose to ignore the urge to make an early start, instead electing to go on a tram ride through the woods, it turns out to be a very relaxing morning, all of us in a good mood and a general holiday feeling descends over the group. The ancient tram winds it way through the woods, rattling and screeching for about an hour. We arrive at the remote station for a
short stop while the two-stroke diesel engine car is moved to the other end of the three carriages it has hauled into the woods, there is no fuss about health & safety so we are free to get in the way and see what is happening, it’s not long before the journey back can begin. As always the journey back seems much quicker than the journey out, maybe its down hill back, all too soon we arrive at the little station with its museum. Time is ticking by.
We have a table booked for lunch in a local art gallery come leisure centre which seems strange but parking is good, and the food and service are way beyond what we expect, it helps to have a man on the ground, he has scored with this venue. After lunch we say our goodbyes, head for the local petrol station and then onto the highway.
We are back now to there being just the three English cars, its 2.45pm our latest check in time at the tunnel is 5.50pm. It’s 200 miles; it’s going to be tight but its motorway all the way. Navigation is easy, the sat nav knows the way and predicts an arrival time of 5.46 that is very, very close. One of the modifications I have done to my car is the fitting of a XJS 2.88 diff. This now becomes useful, allowing a very relaxed and effortless cruising speed of 80mph.
Over the next hour and a half we gain a useful 12 minutes but its not going to be enough if something goes wrong. It starts to rain, it rains more, we slow down to around 60mph. It rains harder, its raining so hard I can’t see the windscreen wipers, they are on fast, but they are just flapping about doing nothing to clear the screen, we’re doing about 40mph now, I cant see anything in front, we should stop but the thought of something running into us keeps us moving, I think the other cars are behind me but there is no way I can tell for sure.
There’s a truck in front, its bright yellow with red lights all around its back doors, I follow it well aware that the e-types have the smallest of rear lights, so low they must be lost in the spray. The rain eases off a bit but the water on the road appears to be as deep as the kerb stones, somehow in England we get the water off the road better than they do in Europe. We keep going but the minutes we gained on the sat nav are soon lost, the time is looking very tight but we
can do nothing more than try. At last we start to see the tunnel on the road signs and the rain eases to a light drizzle, we arrive at the barriers with a few minutes to spare and two of us pass straight through passport control, we loiter about waiting for what seems an age for the third car to get through, we’ve come so far together we’re not going to be separated now.
At last he’s through, we rush forward to board the train. Tired and relieved we take the opportunity to walk about and stretch our legs on the train, the cars look fantastic, they all look like they have been jet washed! It seems like no time at all before we are asked to return to our cars and prepare to disembark, now the tough bit of the journey begins, traffic is heavy in the half light and its raining not as hard as it was in Belgium but it feels like it’s here to stay, only another 200
miles to go! The original Lucas PL headlights are useless I flick them onto full beam; not much better, I expect a reaction from the cars in front but there’s nothing.
Traffic is usually slow at the Dartford crossing and tonight is no exception eventually we toss our £1.50 in the basket and enter the second tunnel of the day. We are split up now, the white car and us are together, but the silver grey one has made better progress, there is too much traffic, we are too tired to
bother about re-grouping. We battle through the traffic; we decide to follow our friends up the M11 in the hope that traffic is lighter. If it is, it’s not much. The miles pass, the rain falls, the car drones on. Lights are flashed, hands waved in the best way you can out of e-type window and our friends take the slip road off the motorway, they are nearly home, it is just us now. We press on peering into the darkness beyond the pool of dim yellow glow from our headlights. In a
modern car this would be a lot easier drive but where’s the fun in that? We start to think, “Never again this is just hard work, why are we doing this.” The M11 leads us to the dark A14 and traffic starts to tail off, well it is 9 o’clock on a dark wet Sunday night.
We arrive home at around 10pm exhausted, as you are after a great weekend! I think it was about 9.30 in the morning before one of us said “next
year we should……..”
Never say never, the plan for next year is to meet Thursday night in Kent stay in a hotel and get through the tunnel before 8am Friday, then…well lets see what develops between now and then. I’ve fitted new headlights!
Cambrai is in our sights as we press on down the D939 making good time and seeing a lot that the motorway would just take us past behind trees and embankments.
We pass around the centre of Cambrai on what must be the ring road along side a canal and gardens, this place is worth a visit but we still have away to go so we press on out the other side of town on the D643. Looking for the village of Le Cateau-Cambresis because after this we have to turn left, if you look at a map the road to this point, since Saint Omer, looks straight so this little left turn up the D959 is quite an event. It takes us through some wooded hills to the Belgian boarder, which is marked by the standard European sign and a red and white barrier sticking up in the air looking rather sad for its self. The roads change a bit but not much its still nice. We press on past Philippeville along the N97 which is now a two lane highway and meets the N4 which will take us to our destination for the day, Marche-en-Femenne.
We arrive at our hotel at about 8.30pm, I’ve been here before and I know where the entrance is to the underground car park is but its been coned off preventing access, just as I’m about to jump out, from nowhere appears a rather excite, suited, Belgian gentleman who clears away the cones and waves us down the ramp into the brightly light garage, which is full of classic Mercedes Benze sl 280’s and the like! The best parking spaces are roped off and marked for e-types only!
“Don’t mention the war.”
A great trip, tiring but very enjoyable, we dine in the hotel with a friend, who lives nearby and talk about plans for Saturday, we all sleep very well.
So what next?
Day two.
Saturday morning, a good breakfast is served by the hotel and we meet in the garage, there are the usual raised bonnets as we look for faults that are not there, the white car hasn’t used any more water despite the long fast drive yesterday. Nobody needs oil so we are fit to go. The “Stukka pilots” (Merc sl drivers) have all departed on their own tour with posh route books and maps.
Our local friend has arrived to guide us to Spa in his series 3 V12 e-type. He stands at the top of the garage’s exit road and takes photos as one by one we launch our cars up the steep ramp, all you can see is sky but you know as soon as you are at the top you must turn right or hit the parked cars. I think one year someone will get it wrong, that’s why he likes to take the photos. We set off to the track, not by the most direct route but along some good roads through
the wooded hills of the Ardennes region of Belgium, the sun is out and there’s very little traffic to get in the way of our spirited drive.
The journey takes around an hour and just before the entrance to Spa we pull into a petrol station and meet up with two other e-types, one from France and the other from Holland, both old friends we have not seen since last years Spa six hour race meeting. After a brief chat and much handshaking we make our way to the circuit. Classic cars are made very welcome and are parked close to the track near the pits and this makes for a very good day.
It’s difficult to stay together as a group so Mandy and I wander off and just try to take in as much of the sights, sounds and smells that only old race cars can produce, the old F1 cars of the 60’s and 70’s are so loud it hurts our ears, you really can get very close to the machines at this event.
All too soon we run out of steam and decide to make our way back to the cars and sit in the sun to watch the race. Slowly our group drifts back to the cars and at around 5 o’clock a collective decision in made to set off for the hotel. Departing is easy, there is no queue the traffic is light and soon there is just our group of now five e-types on the road, turning heads as we pass through small towns and villages in bright sunshine. Our guide takes us back along a
different route to the one we came on adding to the enjoyment of the day.
We share a good meal in the hotel that night, talk about the day, the cars, and make plans for Sunday.
Day 3
Sunday, we are aware of the journey we have before us today, 400 miles, the weather forecast is for rain, but we choose to ignore the urge to make an early start, instead electing to go on a tram ride through the woods, it turns out to be a very relaxing morning, all of us in a good mood and a general holiday feeling descends over the group. The ancient tram winds it way through the woods, rattling and screeching for about an hour. We arrive at the remote station for a
short stop while the two-stroke diesel engine car is moved to the other end of the three carriages it has hauled into the woods, there is no fuss about health & safety so we are free to get in the way and see what is happening, it’s not long before the journey back can begin. As always the journey back seems much quicker than the journey out, maybe its down hill back, all too soon we arrive at the little station with its museum. Time is ticking by.
We have a table booked for lunch in a local art gallery come leisure centre which seems strange but parking is good, and the food and service are way beyond what we expect, it helps to have a man on the ground, he has scored with this venue. After lunch we say our goodbyes, head for the local petrol station and then onto the highway.
We are back now to there being just the three English cars, its 2.45pm our latest check in time at the tunnel is 5.50pm. It’s 200 miles; it’s going to be tight but its motorway all the way. Navigation is easy, the sat nav knows the way and predicts an arrival time of 5.46 that is very, very close. One of the modifications I have done to my car is the fitting of a XJS 2.88 diff. This now becomes useful, allowing a very relaxed and effortless cruising speed of 80mph.
Over the next hour and a half we gain a useful 12 minutes but its not going to be enough if something goes wrong. It starts to rain, it rains more, we slow down to around 60mph. It rains harder, its raining so hard I can’t see the windscreen wipers, they are on fast, but they are just flapping about doing nothing to clear the screen, we’re doing about 40mph now, I cant see anything in front, we should stop but the thought of something running into us keeps us moving, I think the other cars are behind me but there is no way I can tell for sure.
There’s a truck in front, its bright yellow with red lights all around its back doors, I follow it well aware that the e-types have the smallest of rear lights, so low they must be lost in the spray. The rain eases off a bit but the water on the road appears to be as deep as the kerb stones, somehow in England we get the water off the road better than they do in Europe. We keep going but the minutes we gained on the sat nav are soon lost, the time is looking very tight but we
can do nothing more than try. At last we start to see the tunnel on the road signs and the rain eases to a light drizzle, we arrive at the barriers with a few minutes to spare and two of us pass straight through passport control, we loiter about waiting for what seems an age for the third car to get through, we’ve come so far together we’re not going to be separated now.
At last he’s through, we rush forward to board the train. Tired and relieved we take the opportunity to walk about and stretch our legs on the train, the cars look fantastic, they all look like they have been jet washed! It seems like no time at all before we are asked to return to our cars and prepare to disembark, now the tough bit of the journey begins, traffic is heavy in the half light and its raining not as hard as it was in Belgium but it feels like it’s here to stay, only another 200
miles to go! The original Lucas PL headlights are useless I flick them onto full beam; not much better, I expect a reaction from the cars in front but there’s nothing.
Traffic is usually slow at the Dartford crossing and tonight is no exception eventually we toss our £1.50 in the basket and enter the second tunnel of the day. We are split up now, the white car and us are together, but the silver grey one has made better progress, there is too much traffic, we are too tired to
bother about re-grouping. We battle through the traffic; we decide to follow our friends up the M11 in the hope that traffic is lighter. If it is, it’s not much. The miles pass, the rain falls, the car drones on. Lights are flashed, hands waved in the best way you can out of e-type window and our friends take the slip road off the motorway, they are nearly home, it is just us now. We press on peering into the darkness beyond the pool of dim yellow glow from our headlights. In a
modern car this would be a lot easier drive but where’s the fun in that? We start to think, “Never again this is just hard work, why are we doing this.” The M11 leads us to the dark A14 and traffic starts to tail off, well it is 9 o’clock on a dark wet Sunday night.
We arrive home at around 10pm exhausted, as you are after a great weekend! I think it was about 9.30 in the morning before one of us said “next
year we should……..”
Never say never, the plan for next year is to meet Thursday night in Kent stay in a hotel and get through the tunnel before 8am Friday, then…well lets see what develops between now and then. I’ve fitted new headlights!