1997 Jaguar Xj6l ~ Long Version ~ Amazing Original Condition on 2040-cars

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Jay Leno hits the road in a 1951 Jaguar XK 120 Hot Rod

The 1951 Jaguar XK120 featured in this episode of Jay Leno's Garage might look vaguely like a classic Jag roadster at first, but underneath this cat is something completely different. It was built by Leno's buddy Jason Len of XK's Unlimited when he grew tired of keeping these convertibles stock, and this aluminum-bodied beast was the result. Practically the only major Jaguar part left is the engine. It's a tuned 3.8-liter inline six from an E-Type with Weber carbs that makes an estimated 300 horsepower out of some gorgeous side-exit exhausts. The mill is backed up to a BorgWarner five-speed manual. However, the big surprise is the chassis. In place of Jag's original solution, Len has a custom tubular space frame that he claims sheds some 1,000 pounds over the stock example. There are still some classic Jaguar touches left, though, such as the fin over the driver's head that is reminiscent of the D-Type, and both the wheels and gauges are replicas based on that classic racer. Of course the best part is watching Jay drive this Jag hot rod. This big cat really knows how to purr.

2017 Jaguar XE: We'll miss our long-termer, but not its diesel engine

This may be automotive journalist blasphemy, but diesels aren't always a good thing. And I don't mean that from an emissions standpoint. Sometimes the diesel in question isn't a good engine, and/or is a bad fit for the cars to which they're fitted. Our long-term Jaguar XE diesel is a textbook case of both issues. The first issue becomes apparent from the moment the 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder fires up with all the clattering, tapping and ticking that can only come from a compression-ignition engine. It's far from the shaking and knocking of full-size diesel trucks of a few decades ago, but it definitely feels a generation or two behind other diesel cars. For instance, we had a diesel Chevy Cruze in the office, which was quieter and smoother than the Jaguar despite a base price roughly $10,000 less. It becomes a bit smoother and less raucous as revs increase, but the volume remains rather high, making it sound as though the engine is struggling more than it is. Though, to Jaguar's credit, the company has managed to keep virtually all engine vibrations from entering the cabin. Now, the diesel engine's voice would be less problematic if it provided some engaging performance, but, outside of the high fuel-economy numbers, there's hardly any to be found. This may seem surprising considering the Jaguar's 318 pound-feet of torque, but that torque figure lasts only briefly from 1,750 rpm to 2,500 rpm. After that, the torque rapidly falls off, and you don't see the Jag's meager 180 horsepower peak until 4,000 rpm -- not far off of the engine's roughly 5,000-rpm redline. As a result, the XE has adequate passing power and around-town shunt, but anytime you want to play with more revs, it faceplants. But at least it does nail, and even exceed, its 40-mpg highway fuel economy rating without trying. The faults of this diesel engine are then exacerbated by the fact that it's in such a smooth and fun car as the XE. It positively glides across rough city streets and highways, keeping the chassis steady and its passengers soothed. Coupled with a quiet cabin, the XE is a peaceful place to be. At least it would be if the diesel didn't rudely interrupt every time the throttle pedal is pressed. Through some sort of black magic, the XE handles about as well as it rides. The incredibly sensitive and accurate steering is superb. It feels like adjustment knobs on a high-end stereo -- weighted perfectly and fine enough to get it right where you want it.

1965 Jaguar E-Type with just 8,000 miles is headed to auction

The Jaguar E-Type is considered by many to be the most beautiful car ever built, and that's particularly true of the first-generation, Series 1 cars. And while there are plenty of gorgeously restored examples, there can't be too many unrestored E-Types as well preserved as this 1965 roadster that will cross the block at the Gooding Pebble Beach Auction next month. Finished in black with a black top and matching interior, this E-Type was sold new to Ronald Goldstein, of East Longmeadow, Mass. The car remained with its original family until earlier this year, acquiring just over 8,000 miles before it was retired to the garage in 1972. Owing to its long storage, the exterior is dusty, light surface rust is visible on the bumper, and the plastic rear window is cloudy. But the car appears remarkably intact, particularly the interior. According to Gooding, this Jaguar retains its numbers-matching powertrain, a 4.2-liter DOHC inline-six engine and four-speed manual transmission, wears its factory paint, and even rolls on its original Dunlop tires. It also has its original Blaupunkt radio, factory soft top, convertible top boot, maintenance booklet, warranty card, and more. This has to be one of the most original Series 1 E-Types left in existence. We expect bidders will be raising their paddles high for this one. The dilemma for the winner will be whether to wash off that 56-year accumulation of dust and let this Jag's original beauty shine through.