XKE Jaguar E; and Maserati epiphany

[MerlintheMad]

This is prompted by two very interesting pieces in Automobile magazine Dec 18. (A friend handed the issue to me; before that I didn't even know this magazine exists.)

Someone thinks that a vintage Jaguar is interesting as an EV; pull the engine and drivetrain and gas tank etc. out and replace with an electric motor and lots of batteries: stated range of 170 miles, and acceleration equal to the ICE. The weight distribution is c. the same, so handling is too. And it is reversible. Expensive naturally (not recalling the amount, go find the mag, it's downstairs; if you want to know, ask, and I'll go get it). Okay, but why? Why butcher a vintage car just to make it politically correct? Is England that far gone?

Next up, a California test drive in a $165K Maserati; so analogue that you turn a real key in a real ignition to start it. Naturally aspirated V8. Massive power. Driving along PCH, ocean to the right; fulsome details leading up to the meaning of the title of the article about an epiphany in a Maserati. It is a very cool story. Almost brought me to tears. Very spiritual and renewing. However, he could have had the same experience for a ton less, in a Stinger! (And tangentially, apparently, this is only his second such experience of an "epiphany", the last being decades in the past as a university student; he describes that one too, of course: but I have to wonder at the paucity of spiritual experiences in some/many people's lives? Something sad about that.)

 

[SteveCo]

I saw a show on television a while back on the electric Jaguar E-type 'Zero'. They aren't butchering a vintage car, they are taking a vintage car and doing a full restoration (by Jaguar's own Classic Car division), then putting in an electric powertrain that is fully reversible if you want to put it back to stock with a gas swilling powerplant.

Jaguar E-TYPE Zero Electric - Jaguar Classics | Jaguar

The price isn't for the faint of heart, but I applaud their approach Jaguar is taking with this, and would absolutely love to have one. I like Tesla's high tech cars and technology very much, but combining truly classic car styling and with a high performance electric powertrain I find very appealing.

There are a few specialist car companies that do high-tech electric conversions on old Porsches and other classic vintage bodystyles that look great. I explored the possibility of doing something similar as a project many years back, but the range, maintenance and performance using the flooded lead acid batteries available at the time was abysmal. Now that Li-Ion and even better battery technologies are available, along with high performance AC drives and controllers, the prospect is seeming quite appealing again ...

 

[westcoastGT]

View attachment 16585 Prince Harry has an E Type , with the conversion ......... View attachment 16585

 

[MerlintheMad]

View attachment 16585 View attachment 16587 Prince Harry has an E Type , with the conversion ......... View attachment 16585

I believe it is the same car driven by the author of the article.

 

[MerlintheMad]

They aren't butchering a vintage car,

True, and I did mention that they said the conversion is reversible. But it just offends my aesthetics, so is like a temporary butchery of the original car. To each his opinion.

 

[eflyguy]

I'd personally rather drive a converted classic than a modern EV, but he's not really driving around the city in it - so just a publicity stunt to try and set an example. You can't just drive any car into London without paying huge tolls, in the name of the environment. I'll say the city is a lot cleaner now than in years past as a result.

 

[phxgt]

Austin Healey has the same program. Might even be part of the Jag works. You can get an old Bugeye Spright "electrified".

 

[CaliSting]

Tons of vintage Porsche’s with EV conversions. I like this one. The Future Of Porsche Is A Tesla-Powered Classic 911 - Speedhunters
Electric conversion is easy way to get great reliable performance in classic car.


Stinger an emotional replacement for a V8 Maserati on highway 1? ...not

Maserati has been the essence of Gran Turismo for decades. That V8 is so sweet! I’d pay for that ride up PCH in a true Gran Turismo.

...Now living with Maserati as a daily driver is a whole different story.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Stinger an emotional replacement for a V8 Maserati on highway 1? ...not

Lol. You're just jaded, through too much exposure to too many very cool cars. I don't say that like it's a bad thing.

But I stick by my assertion, that the Stinger can give what that $165K Maserati gives; not to you, apparently, but I have experienced inner peace driving my car at varying speeds.

The Stinger's "retro" inspiration is Maserati from the 70s. You can see that inspiration in its lines; and the fact that people have even asked "is that a Maserati?"

I'd take that V8 as a daily driver. Why not?

A LAFerrari as a daily driver? Or a McLaren Senna? A line of some kind has been crossed. I wouldn't even consider it.

 

[CaliSting]

Lol. You're just jaded, through too much exposure to too many very cool cars. I don't say that like it's a bad thing.

But I stick by my assertion, that the Stinger can give what that $165K Maserati gives; not to you, apparently, but I have experienced inner peace driving my car at varying speeds.

The Stinger's "retro" inspiration is Maserati from the 70s. You can see that inspiration in its lines; and the fact that people have even asked "is that a Maserati?"

.

Not really. I have just ridden in a friends V8 Maserati. Stinger comes no where close to emotional appeal of that car. Copying a look doesn't translate to driving experience of higher end Italian cars.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Not really. I have just ridden in a friends V8 Maserati. Stinger comes no where close to emotional appeal of that car. Copying a look doesn't translate to driving experience of higher end Italian cars.

Again, not for "spoiled" entitled children like you. We lower order "bottom feeders" are very impressed by the Stinger. We know how much buyer's remorse you have (some of it fueled by imperfections in your particular vehicle). And you've made it clear that your driving/riding experience is very long and thorough. It's okay. I understand that someone who actually gets to drive a McLaren Senna (and crash it!? see Google Images, ye gods!) will not be impressed in the least by this V8 "analogue" Maserati that goes for a mere $165K either.

Beauty is inarguable because it is entirely subjective. Source and price have nothing to do with it, unless you decide those things matter.

 

[eflyguy]

"eye of beholder"

'nuff said.

 

[westcoastGT]

He lives at home with his mother and drives a 15 year old Hyundai.......................dont get sucked in ...................Trolll !!

 

[MerlintheMad]

He lives at home with his mother and drives a 15 year old Hyundai.......................dont get sucked in ...................Trolll !!

No 'e doesn't. And there isn't anything wrong with living with your mother. In fact it may be the most charitable work a son or daughter can do.

 

[westcoastGT]

No 'e doesn't. And there isn't anything wrong with living with your mother. In fact it may be the most charitable work a son or daughter can do.

Merlin , you are your own worst enemy sometimes , and I love mothers too .