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Classic Cars

The real difference between men is energy. A strong will, a settled purpose, an invincible determination, can accomplish almost anything; and in this lies the distinction between great men and little men. -- Thomas Fuller

Lowell Klaisner

Machines and how they work fascinate me. I feel linked to the engineer that designed the machine. I look at a machine from the designer's point of view. I don't understand a machine until I understand the motivation of the originator that is revealed through the technical choices that were made.

Old machines particularly fascinate me. I have high regard for the designers that created novel solutions to challenging problems long before modern analysis tools existed. Courage and ingenuity were required to build an early steam engine or the Golden Gate Bridge. These inventors were creative and were men of action. They found that balance called "Engineering Judgement" that knows when to analyze and when to build.

My "old machine" is a 1968 Jaguar, E type, Roadster (picture in yellow above). I bought the car in Seattle in 1980. It was derivable but in sad condition. I had the coachwork restored and the car repainted and I rebuilt the engine. It is clear to me that the Jaguar engineers at Coventry focused on the engine, the suspension and the external appearance. All of these are excellent. They didn't bother with much else. The electrics, transmission, clutch, interior, and watertightness are all inferior. I like to putter with this machine.

I like to drive it but it is too unreliable to be my primary means of transportation. The green Miata pictured above is my driving car. It captures the fun of driving an English roadster with the reliability of a Japanese car. The Miata is watertight!