cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
17085
Driving the Jag XK1410 in the fast lane, Pt 0
I think this has to be the Prequel to the Jag-to-Taos story. As I said there, Steve got this car from his dad, who bought it many years ago.
When his dad passed away the car was at his home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. That's an artificial lake created by Parker Dam, which is downstream from Hoover Dam, on the Colorado River.
London Bridge is a bridge in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. It was built in the 1830s and formerly spanned the River Thames in London, England. It was dismantled in 1967 and relocated to Arizona. The Arizona bridge is a reinforced concrete structure clad in the original masonry of the 1830s bridge, which was purchased by Robert P. McCulloch from the City of London, for $2.5 million. McCulloch had exterior granite blocks from the original bridge numbered and transported to America through the Panama Canal, to construct the present bridge in Lake Havasu City, a community he established in 1964 on the shore of Lake Havasu. The bridge was completed in 1971 and links an island in the Colorado River with the main part of Lake Havasu City.
Steve and I went over there in my Oldsmobile Touring Sedan to "recommission" the car and drive it back to San Diego.
Of course we had to run it over the London Bridge just for the photos.
We introduced his big car to my little one and they too became friends.
We set off in the late afternoon, trying to miss the heat crossing the desert.
It's about 350 miles garage door to garage door. We took the southern route.
It's about 350 miles garage door to garage door. We took the southern route.
And off we went.
With NO traffic going either direction, the Oldsmobile was our insurance policy...
We stopped in the middle of nowhere and I took over and drove up and over Banner Grade, Julian and down to San Diego on a warm summer evening. It was a Fantastic Drive.
With NO traffic going either direction, the Oldsmobile was our insurance policy...
We stopped in the middle of nowhere and I took over and drove up and over Banner Grade, Julian and down to San Diego on a warm summer evening. It was a Fantastic Drive.
We introduced his big car to my little one and they too became friends.
Of course there were a few other vehicles in his dad's stable, such as the V12
and the bus, but those are other stories.
Cazalea
Driving the Jag XK140 roadster in the fast lane, Pt 1
[Capt Scarlet - this is for you] In 2002 my friend Steve proposed a trip to New Mexico for some kind of old car rally. We had plenty of cars to choose, but they had to be old to qualify. We took some time to review our options: My old Lotus - too fragile,...
Driving the Jag XK140 roadster in the fast lane, Pt 2
Our mission in New Mexico was to join up for one of those old car rally events - no fancy timed things, this was just drive around and have a good time. Let me show you some of the participants and the scenery: here's an XK 150 which has a wider grille, b...
Driving the Jag XK140 roadster in the fast lane, Pt 3
We left Taos after the event wound down, and against our better judgement we both agreed it would be rude to miss the free lunch. Of course we figured it would be a diner, or a Howard Johnson's or something .... we should have know those kind of restauran...
Hi Mike ...
Many thanks for answering my call for your story of this epic road trip. The XK140 is absolutely stunning. I drove a 120 for sometime, including on the track. It’s the smell, sound and lack of interior space that you remember at first but it’s hugely enjo...
Driving the Jag XK1410 in the fast lane, Pt 0
I think this has to be the Prequel to the Jag-to-Taos story. As I said there, Steve got this car from his dad, who bought it many years ago. When his dad passed away the car was at his home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. That's an artificial lake created b...
Another great story!
Lacking any mechanical (or photographic) skills, I am grateful to be able to live vicariously through yours. Beautifully done, as always.
Thanks for taking us with you on that rosd movie!
Looks like a great „toys for the boys“ couple of days... We should gave more of them. Oh, and you‘ve been traveling in top style! Best, Daniel
With a stable full of French cars, Style is my middle name
Cazalea Adventures in Style Toronto to San Diego, solo. Do my eyes look bloodshot? (or are they closed?) ...
Incredible adventures...
thanks for sharing, especially in these COVID times. Really lifted my spirits!
Wonderful read!!!
Thank you for sharing your adventures 🙏🏻 I would love to someday do a road trip such as this... although perhaps not in an open top. Tropical thunderstorms and blistering heat are all too common where I’m at 😬
Very exciting...
And just the kind of trip I would be looking to do some time when this becomes possible again Looking forward to pt 2
Hello dear Mike! What a wonderful post and story! I enjoyed so much reading and viewing your superb pictures. You know I´m a fan of Jaguars and that 140 is pure Magic!
Such a lovely and charming car, testimony of a golden era long gone. I had only one experience with a long trip driving a car. But it is memorable for me. My dad and me crossed USA from Miami Beach, Fla. to San Francisco along two driving weeks aboard a F...
That must have been an exciting trip
Thanks for reading this Abel, and for your contribution. I have driven across only 3-4 times; I have friends who have made two round trip journeys in the past 3 months! Crossing America is always memorable.
My big pleasure dear Mike! I enjoyed so much indeed! Great to know you´ve done it several times too. You have a great Country and I am very fortunate of having visited many times...
... and always is a big pleasure to visit again. I keep the memory of that trip very deep in my heart! And two round trips in three months! Wow! That´s awesome!! Your friends must really love driving! Fantastic! Look forward to read more post about your d...
