Friday, April 8, 2011

Jim's C-Type






The Jaguar C-Type in the garage is the prettiest thing in Wayne County NY.



Here it is on the day the C-Type arrived in 2002, and the last time Jim officially drove it. For the next several years, he researched endlessly, fabricated windscreens, sought out original jaguar parts that would come in antiquated condition from England and was permanently in pursuit of "the beautiful shift knob" that eluded him on ebay.




The few things I know:
Purchased from William Fox in Cincinnati OH, 2002 (that's the test drive photo above).

Constructed in England in 1965 or 66 as a replica (not kit), by Roger Worrell of Heritage Engineering.
The engine/gearbox/instruments/front and rear suspension are from the donor car which was an S type saloon (sedan).
Engine is as catalogued for a 1965 Jaguar 3.4S saloon and except for polishing of alloy components, the engine is essentially unmodified from stock.

Dimensions (updated thanks to Phil at Jaguar Classics, current makers of modern Heritage replicas).

Wheelbase: 8'2"
Body Length: 13'2"
Track: 4'10"
Width: 5'0"

Tubular space frame steel chassis and custom fiberglass (FRP) and aluminum bodywork that closely resembles a (1951-53) Jaguar C-Type, one of the most beautiful cars ever designed.


Good friends, Steve Rizzo and Christopher Amann were able to get the C-Type going a month before Jim passed away and we drove it to a couple of local car gatherings. Here
are photos of the car in its most current finish.




Sunday, August 22, 2010

Crow Style.


Native Art and Beauty on Parade.
August at Crow Agency, MT, is home to 1000 teepees, the largest Indian encampment (at least in modern times) in the world. It's the an
nual Crow Fair, drawing thousands of Native Americans and tourists to the reservation adjacent to the Battle of the Little Bighorn. For 5 days, parades, pow wows and rodeos give a glimpse into the costume artistry, horsemanship and customs of this tribe. I found the women to be fascinating -- covered in elaborate beadwork and even more impressively, packing all the weaponry of the men who were free to be more agile in the hunt.







Sunday, July 25, 2010