[R-390] Solid State R-390

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

blw wrote:

> > Saddest part is that the Jags are a very reliable car if you maintain them
> > properly. Unfortunately too many people want the looks but have all they can
> > do
> > to change the oil regularly. At least their problems are solved now with the
> > Forduars. Plug-n-play mentality, not unlike ricebox vs. tube rigs.
> >
> > 73, Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ
>
> My grandfather had a couple of new Jags about 10 years ago. I drove them
> both and they were absolutely depressing. One had a lot of interior parts
> falling off and lying on the floor mats. Nice acceleration. I couldn't hold
> either in a straight line no matter how smoothly I drove it. They wandered
> all over the place. I grew up with a Jag that my dad had back around
> 1957-58. It was beautiful. That is one of the reasons I was so depressed
> with Jags 10 years ago.
>
> Barry

I've had a '64 XKE coupe, a '66 MKII 3.8 w/OD, a '67 MKII 2.4 and a '75 XJ-6L. I'd
have to say that you're right about the quality, maybe the Brits were trying to
follow Detroit's lead in making things cheaper in the 70's. We learned and
survived, Jag learned and was sold.

They're a lot like finding an old R-390 in used or abused condition. There is
still so much to work with that with time, patience, and a bit of luck you can end
up with a very nice end result. You could easily draw a similar analogy between
riceboxes and Subarus in that abused examples are seldom woth saving. The Brits
made those lovely Eddystones with the silky dials, built 'bulletproof' as the
R-390s were.

73 de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ