Cross country in 32 hours and 7 minutes...in 1983

[Andrew]

Have you jokers heard of the gumball 3000?

[Vainglory, Esq.]

I don't think any of us can afford to do the U.S., Europe and Asia.  But a cross-country blast, now that's doable.

[Arthu®]

Ok don't know how serious you guys are, but if all you are still looking for is a car. Than may I make the suggestion that you get an Jaguar XJ-S or if you can get one cheap a XJR-S. Really they are pretty cheap (surely not the most beautifull cars, but love is in the eye of the beholder), and you can't beat the 5.3 or if you get the XJR-S the 6.0 V12. They have a lot of potential, but from the factory they are not all that great. Here is a great site for some performance upgrades on a XJS: http://www.jcna.com/library/tech/tech0010.html. I know all this because I actually had the oppurtinuty to get one very cheap, but you have no idea what it would cost to insure a Jag V12 for a 20 year old. It is just cruel.

Arthur

[Vainglory, Esq.]

That's funny stuff, Arthur.  Actually, the last running of the Cannonball in 1979 was won by an XJS that shattered the last two records set by Ferraris.  I'm talking like 3-4 hours faster, too.

[Arthu®]

We have both an 5.3 V12 XJS and a 6.0 V12 XJR-S in service where I did my trainee thingie. I had a chance to drive both of them. And seriously if you can find a XJR-S for a reasonable price, it is a much better starting point. I believe the regular 5.3 has something like 250hp while the 6.0 had 310 I believe. Though I am not a hunderd percent sure. They are ok cars, a bit on the heavy side but you could easily take care of that by just taking out all the fancy luxurious parts (that most likely won't work anymore since it was mostlikely all made by lucas). Btw that is the first thing you should do if you get one, change everything that has anything to do with motormanagement to Bosch. The 5.3 we have in service is a standard HE and oh man the electrical system is a nightmare.

But check e-bay there are plenty around. Put in a fuel cell, strip the interior, put in some racing seats with harness and do the upgrades that the site I first mentioned stated. And you will have a car that makes a reasonable chance of getting there in 32 hours. Considering it won't break down, afterall it is still an english car.

BTW if you do do this good luck, I wish I could join up but that would require money and as a partying student cash is like finding a restored 69 Hemi Charger for under 5k.

Arthur

EDIT: Also found this link in my favourits: http://www.jagweb.com/aj6eng/

[Arthu®]

That's funny stuff, Arthur.  Actually, the last running of the Cannonball in 1979 was won by an XJS that shattered the last two records set by Ferraris.  I'm talking like 3-4 hours faster, too.

Btw tell me about it, I love these cars. Cheap, bad on gas, ugly, long hood to jump over, V12, rear wheel drive. Too bad that just how do you guys call that liable insurance (that you are only insured for damage to other) would set me back 2k in euro's, after one and a half years I would have already payed more on insurance than I would have payed for the car. But I called every major insurance company and none of them were too wild about a 20 year old with a Jaguar V12. Really too sad, would have been fun to drive. Oh well my time will come.

Arthur