The 1961 Jaguar E-Type was heavenly, a dead-sexy, 150-mph supercar, a
stiletto heel to the heart of any car-loving man. By 1974, it had
morphed into this, this thing. In order to compensate for
power-sapping emissions controls required in the U.S., the car's primary
export market, Jaguar discontinued the reliable 4.2-liter six for an
anchor-heavy 5.3-liter V12, which was a total bitch to try to keep in
tune and made the car nose-heavy besides. Jaguar also discontinued the
elegant fixed-head coupe and offered the car only as a long wheelbase
2+2 or convertible. Imagine taking one of the world's most beautiful
cars and sticking it in a taffy puller. Not finished ruining the lines,
Jag plumped up the fenders, spoiling the smooth, aero-sleek contours of
the original. The piece de resistance, Jag affixed hideous rubber
bumpers — Dagmars, really — in a lame attempt to meet 5-mph bumper
standards. To which car enthusiasts can only say, "You bastards!"
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