<VV> Why is a Jag like a Corvair

[Padgett]

>No, probably not... or the Jag would have had the same traction problems.

Entirely different characteristics. Have to remember that the Jag 6 was a 
long stroke engine - over 4" - and a 1940's design despite the DOHC. Was a 
torque monster that would go to 6500 rpm. Once then the english mains and 
the oil pressure would go away. "40 psi at 3000 rpm hot" was the mantra 
chanted by the Jagwanut.

Also E-types all had a limited slip. From a hard start the rear tires would 
go URK about a 1/2 turn and squat (funny thing, a Corvair does the same, 
probably has to do with the wight distribution) and then it was just 6 
grand-shift, six grand-shift.but no more rubber.

Mean while the Chevvy V-8 (particularly ones with a quadrajet) really did 
not like anything under three grand so to launch with street gears you 
either burned the tires or the clutch (slider clutches were popular but a 
skilled left foot could do the same (in the 80s I had a 70 Pontiac Grand 
Prix with a four speed Muncie called "asphyxiation". The G78-14 white 
stripes would just go up in smoke but the 4000lb leviathan was not going 
anywhere). Few were that skilled and you learned how to replace a lot of 
clutches.

You may recall that the big broo-hah in 1961 (well maybe not) was 150 mph 
for $6000. Possible with the first ones but quickly Jag changed the rear 
gear for American E-Types to a 3.54 which only gave 135 mph but more dig.

Like the man said, the nice thing about a Jag for those on limited incomes 
was that they did not hold any value. The bad news was there were reasons why.

Padgett