Category: Rust Never Sleeps (Page 4 of 5)

One of my earliest memories of a “classic jag” was seeing a white Mk. II Jaguar turning into a gas station (probably on its way to the service bay, har har)…I thought it was the coolest car I’d ever seen. My father dismissed it as “something that would need a lot of work to maintain” and he also seemed to be of the impression that mere mortals couldn’t afford them. (Very smart man, my father.)
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My track record is so bad with “helping” people buy ye olde English cars that I wonder why people even consider having me along. My theory is that they want to buy the car in any case, despite any flaws we find, and know that they will meet no negatives when I weigh in with my studied opinion.
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As many of my six regular readers know (can an irregularly published blog even have “regular readers?”), I created (and continue to maintain) XKE Data and XK Data, databases of surviving Jaguar sports cars. Overall, it’s been a positive experience–but since I have a podium here, you’re going to have to read about the pluses and minuses of this type of site.
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When you buy a used old car in our state, the gov’ment expects you to pay sales tax on the “true value” of the car, not what you actually paid. And to determine said value, they use those soft-bound NADA value guides that are about as accurate as my estimates on how long it will take me to restore my E-Type (i.e., very inaccurate).

For example, when I bought the XJR, I paid $7,400. I had to pay sales tax on $13,500, even though the price I paid was exactly the market price! I’m having a difficult time getting anyone interested in my XJ6 for $1,800, yet the price guides say it’s worth $5,000.

And there is no easy recourse. You can get the seller to write you a note, which the state doesn’t have to accept, but by that point the seller frankly never wants to see you again and isn’t going to write a notarized letter. State wins, more money for them. Who would have thought?

Another bad thing about these guides is that it suckers sellers into asking way too much for their cars, and then they never get a buyer. An example: using a price guide (mentioned in their ad, no less), a seller on craigslist has a car worth–maybe–$1,000 priced at $12,000 because the guides say it’s worth that. I can tell you that not a single car of that model has sold for that amount, even in pristine condition–ever!

I’m a pretty liberal guy who believes in good government, but I hate hidden taxes and that is exactly what this is. Bah!

Actually, most of an engine. A gentleman in Gig Harbor advertised a free XK 140 3.4 engine, and I grabbed it. It’s a decent condition block, crank and a few pieces. No head, sump or pistons/rods. It also included an XK140 steering rack. I’m 2% of the way to owning an XK! Or not.

Chuck was kind enough to invite me and a few fellow E-Type owners over to his place today for some hob-nobbing. I had a great time and was the only one who didn’t show up in a Jaguar and one of only two who didn’t drive their E-Type. It was a reminder that the vast majority of the folks you meet fooling around with old cars are great people (I’m one of the minority, neener neener).

Here’s cool video of Mike Hawthorn running a test lap of LeMans in a D-Type Jaguar, providing commentary to boot. Very excellent.

I wish I could say Parkland, Washington is a garden spot, but it’s pretty darn hideous, at least the parts of it I’ve seen. This old Camper Special F250 was down there, and while probably a fair value at $1200, it’s definitely not the truck I’ve been looking for. I can keep sitting on my hands. That’s two old cars in two days I’ve looked at and not purchased, that’s got to be some sort of record.

Yeah, so I’ve had my 1990 F150 back for…two months. And already I’m ready to part with it. It runs fine, it’s in good condition…but it’s boring. And life is too short for boring cars. Isn’t it?

I’m looking at this ’68 Ford F100 today, which is definitely not as boring. And it has a 428 in it. That’s really not boring.

Well, not much going on…which is generally good when it comes to old cars.

• The MGB, Triumph, and BSA are tucked away for the winter in their locked storage
• The Landy seems to be doing just fine, knock on walnut veneer
• The Ferguson is stalwartly sitting in the carport. I start and run it for awhile every once in awhile…
• Nothing is happening on the E-Type

I’ve been looking for another old Ford truck, without any luck thus far. Test drove a ’64 the other day…kind of a neat old truck but while I was there the gentleman selling was pressing me to make “any offer” and by the time I got home there was an email saying it was sold…kinda weird. (It’s pictured at the top of the page.)

I have a new neighbor who also has British Car Disease. In fact, I was able to help him drop a few dollars on a 1963 MGB very close in age to the one I own. Nice looking car.