I know that I am irretrievably old-fashioned, and here’s the latest example.
Former footballer David Goldenballs Beckham was seen proudly showing off his new car, a McLaren 750S, valued at about £240,000 ($310,000).
Now never mind the stupid-money price (I know, the McLarens are supercars and probably worth it, just not to ordinary people like us. Forget the money for a moment, if you can).
Now take a look at this nuts-and-bolts restored/upgraded 1964 Jag E-type Series 1:
It looks so hopelessly out of date compared to the 750S, doesn’t it? And yet it’s on sale for a third less than the McLaren, at $218,000.
That’s also stupid money, but I have to tell you that if I had that kind of stupid money, I’d be driving that Jag already, and not the blingy over-powered and overpowering McLaren. Just for kicks, know that the 750S needs to have its oil changed about every thousand or so miles, an operation which requires the engine to be dropped out of the engine bay, and can cost in excess of $25,000. The Jag? Nothing even close to that in cost, let alone inconvenience. Hell, with a little learning and practice, you could probably do your own oil changes. (Not that I would.)
Take a look at the Jag’s interior:
…compared to that of the McLaren:
Note the thoughtfully-placed accommodation for Goldenballs, or maybe it’s a pee-hole for Victoria in the passenger seat… either way, that interior looks like it was designed by LucasFilms.
Sorry, but no. I love cars, I love performance cars, but to be honest — and this was as true back when I was younger as it is today — that wonderful Jag 3.8-liter engine, with its top speed of about 140mph is far more appealing than the million-horsepower McLaren electro-gizmoded powerplant.
And to be honest: I think it’s far easier to get in and out of the E-type — and that’s a nod to my advanced age.
Beckham can afford the McLaren, and there’s no wealth envy on my part. What I can’t forgive is that he gave his son an E-type for a wedding present — except that he’d had it converted to an electric motor.
The hole in the seat is for the Anti submarining straps of a 6 point Harness. Cars like the McLaren or my GT3 can develop consistent breaking forces of more than 1 G just on sticky summer Street tires, maybe 1/2 a G more on a set of Race tires at a Track Day with cornering forces almost the same. Passengers are stunned when they experience these stopping and cornering forces for the first time. When fully strapped in with a 6 point system including a Hanns Device during a track day you can then focus on car placement instead of spending a lot of energy just trying to hold on with only a 3 point standard seat belt that you can’t get tight enough to hold you in one position in the seat. Add in the semi-reclining seats of the McLaren and the crotch straps become ever more important. ….. and there is no dignified way for Victoria to get out of those seats in a dress.
You could learn to change your oil and Filter ( always do both ) in an XKE with 15 min of instruction. However, your apartment complex takes a very dim view of that sort of activity in their garage, I’m sure.