By David Wallens

Grassroots Motorsports

Ever wonder if history’s most revered models live up to the hype? I have. Some older cars just seem better off when they’re in someone else’s garage. The Jaguar XKE doesn’t fall into that camp, and I recently spent some time with a nicely sorted one.

Wow, it pushes all of the buttons. It’s quick, poised, stylish, comfortable and oh so smooth. The shifter works well even by today’s standards, and that torsion bar front end really soaks up the bumps. And while low-profile tires might be all the rage, back then having a little extra sidewall helped keep NVH in check. Trust me, you want one.

By Speedhunters

Car Culture At Large

Hmmm…maybe I should just end my search for cool luxury cars to look at this month. Is it even possible to find anything better than this?

This Jaguar X300 is equipped with parts from J-Complete, an Osaka-based shop that specializes in customizing high end European cars. I actually saw this particular car in person last year at the Tokyo Special Import Show, and it’s even sexier than it is in the photo.

By Mike Garrett

By Sam Barer

Sound Classics

The “Sound Classics” team had a great time up at the All-British Field Meet in Vancouver, B.C. There were hundreds of great classics.

In this video report, you’ll see my personal pick for the best car at the show and the one I’d want to take home. Watch the video and tell me if you agree!

By David Clarke

highspeedhijinks

In the grand scheme of things, Jay Leno is probably the luckiest car guy I can think of. He’s used a career in stand-up comedy to finance a collection of over 150 cars and motorcycles, most of which get driven on a regualr basis. All of us here at CarDomain have been bitten by the car bug at some point. While some people’s bugs arrive in the form of a ’69 Camaro, a ’67 Mustang, or in my case a ’70 Buick LeSabre, Jay Leno’s bug bit him in the spring of 1959 in the shape of a 1954 Jaguar XK120. I’ve been fortunate enough that the car that started my addiction still sits in my garage at home, but Jay hadn’t seen his dream car in 49 years. As luck would have it, not only was the car exactly where he last saw it, but the man who owned it then still owns it now–so Jay was able to arrange to see it one more time. So my question to you is this: What car started you on the path to automotive fanaticism… and where is it now? If you want to know more about Jay’s dream car reunion check out the full story over at Motor Trend.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Bet you didn’t think it was possible to make an E-Type ugly, did you? You’re looking at the third E-Type imported to the States. The dealer who got it was so excited that they gave it this horrible paint job—way back in 1961. I’m normally for keeping weird old era-correct paint schemes, but in this case, I’m not so sure… Via Hemmings

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

CarDomain member outdorrsforester is working on the restoration of this amazing Le Mans car from 1985. That’s quite a garage—looks more like a living room. Be sure to check out the Jag’s ride page for more pics, and you can read more about the XJR7 here.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Yesterday on my way back from a smog check in the old Volvo I dropped by British Sportscars and Classics on Aurora. I’d passed by the fenced-in yard filled with tarp-covered British classics for years, but had never stopped to take a closer look. Owner Robin Purington has been there for over twenty years, and his shop does a mix of restoration work and repair. They were working on a Fiat 500 and an amazing 1959 Triumph Italia—one of only 280 produced, and a three year project (so far) that has involved a lot of international parts scrounging and custom fabrication. I really loved Robin’s old Bugeye race car which was parked out front (hasn’t run in years), painted in a wild shade of House of Kolor green. A ton more pics after the jump!

Continue reading "British Sportscars and Classics" »

So this isn’t the coolest video I’ve ever seen, but I’m intrigued by the whole XJS/400 swap, and I’m hoping joecat will build a ride page, or at least post a clip of the engine bay. In the meantime, I think those racing stripes look awesome! After I get my XJ6 done—which will probably never happen, but still—I’ve harbored some fantasies about getting an XJS and doing a 350 swap on it. My Kitty is pretty quick, but I’ve wondered what it would feel like to have the same drivetrain in a sportier body style. Something tells me it’d be a blast…

A couple of weeks back, John and I took a trip from Seattle to Portland in CarDomain’s 2009 Jaguar XF Supercharged test car. Our goals were simple: John was there to put Jag’s hot new Kitty through its paces, and I was there to evaluate its Bowers & Wilkins sound system. Johnny is my best buddy, and he wanted my opinion on the the stereo because I’m an audioengineer, and I spend virtually every waking second thinking about sound. So obviously, I was stoked to get to spend some quality time listening to music in a beautiful machine.

We started our adventure from Johnny’s place on a Saturday morning. The XF was curbside, laying in wait much like a dog waits for its owner. It was Vapour Grey—which matched the day’s overcast skies like camouflage—and even though it was parked, the car seemed eager for the road. After we sat down on the plush white leather seats, Johnny fired her up, and we both just sat there listening to the 420 horsepower engine purr. It was going to be a good trip. Continue reading after the jump…

Continue reading "Verdict: Jaguar XF's Bowers & Wilkins System is Banging" »

This week’s Showroom Showdown produced some pretty hilarious responses. Many of our readers seem to think that the Jag will have the advantage when it comes to attracting women. But the AMG’s brutal power carried the day, and it easily beat the Brit. Several people referenced the Top Gear comparison test between the C63 AMG, the M3 and the RS4, which is definitely worth watching if you haven’t seen it. The C63 AMG seems like a real beast. I’d love to drive one.