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I stumbled across a reprint of a 1966 Sports Illustrated Magazine article in which Steve McQueen drives 8 Grand Touring cars. The cars are a Jaguar E-Type 2+2, an Aston Martin DB-6, a Porsche 911, a Corvette Sting Ray, a Ferrari 275 GTS, an Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider, a Mercedes 230SL, and a Cobra 427.

It is a fascinating read from a man that could act and drive a fast car.

McQueen’s verdict of a new Jaguar 2+2 automatic:

I had driven the two-seater XK-E and, as far as I could see, the 2+2 handled just like it, which is bloody good. I found it very smooth down the back straight at 110 mph. The seat was fine; the visibility was good; the brakes were solid.

He didn’t much like the automatic gearbox and would have preferred a manual … no surprise there!

A wonderful find on eBay - this is the E-Type Coupe I really want!

This 1964 series I E Type, the Silver Hammer, is well known in Jaguar circles, having been a former all time record holder (2004) in the JCNA Slalom, as well as a consistent concours winning show car.
It is a fixed head coupe modified in nearly every respect, for comfortable touring or competition on the racetrack. Best lap time at Lime Rock Park is 1:04.8 seconds. Street Legal.

There’s an interesting article about the car from the South Florida Jaguar Club here.

It has been newly painted without the racing numbers and sponsor decals, and would make a lovely road car.

UPDATE: January 3rd, 2008 - The auction closed with the high bid of $69,000 not meeting the Reserve.

Oscar Peterson, one of the greatest jazz pianists ever, died last night at his home in Mississauga. I have many happy memories of seeing Oscar Peterson live in Toronto jazz clubs.

To find out more about Oscar Peterson the man, read his autobiography A Jazz Odyssey. The CBC has an obituary here, and you can read all about him at his website … but the best way to remember him is to listen to his music.

Jalopnik reports on a video of James May driving the new Jaguar XF … Captain Slow likes it.

Jaguar has finally found the balls
to make a saloon that belongs in the present.

Then there’s this December 23rd Top Gear feature article: link

Don’t ask me how I know, but this a great car,
delivered with great confidence. I’m blown away by it.

Jamie & Alexa, and Leah & Grant came up from the Big City on Friday evening for an early Christmas with us. We exchanged presents and had good times, good food, drink, a couple of games of Scene It and a marathon game of Rumolli. Jamie managed to find time to make a few snow angels and a snowman on Saturday afternoon, before they made their way home late Saturday evening.

When we got up this morning the house felt very empty. When we looked outside, the garden looked pretty empty too, as the snowman had also gone. For once, the weather co-operated and gave them a minor thaw for their travel … we now have Flash Freeze, Snowsquall and High Winds weather warnings, in addition to the expected overnight flurries. Let’s hope that Doreen, Henry, Elizabeth and Matthew have the same “good” weather next weekend for Part II.

I’ve found another First Drive report on the new Jaguar XF, this one by Edmunds Inside Line. A very positive report, the writer is obviously enamoured of the XF.

First Impressions:
Compared to this, every German sport sedan looks about as interesting as a lump of coal.

The Times reports today that an announcement is expected in the next few days naming Indian car-maker Tata as the preferred bidder for Ford’s Land Rover and Jaguar brands.

Can the long drawn-out sale of Jaguar be coming to and end?

Two first drives of the Jaguar XF to read courtesy of AutoExpress and CARmagazine, based on a jaunt to Arizona:

Auto Express gives a brief review of the XF, basically loving the handling and hating the styling. Rating it as 4/5 stars, their First Opinion:

It may not be love at first sight, but there are hidden depths to the Jaguar XF which leave a lasting impression. The cabin is beautifully designed and if the handling is not as razor sharp as some of the German opposition the ride is much more comfortable. As a result this big Jag is a better all rounder.

CAR magazine gives a much more comprehensive review, though it is in their dreadful Question & Answer format that is the direct cause of me dropping my subscription to their print magazine after many years. Rating it as 5/5 stars, their Verdict:

The XF is an impressive car for Jaguar and welcome confidence boost for a company anxiously waiting for a decision on its future. It looks great with refreshingly modern styling, is impeccably put together, well equipped, brilliant to drive … But beyond that, it feels special, a rare commodity in a class populated by cars as efficient but soulless as the Mercedes E-class.

Those of us not blessed with invitations to Arizona will have to await the arrival of the Jaguar XF on our local dealers’ lots in the Spring for a road test.

Ike Turner died yesterday at the age of 76. Ike was responsible for much great Rock ‘n’ Roll music in his long career, including arguably the first rock and roll recording “Rocket 88“.

The Kings of Rhythm, The Ikettes, The Ike & Tina Turner Review … boogie-woogie piano player, whammy-bar guitar player, great band leader and showman … the world will miss you, Ike.

Check out the official web site.