I had a Jaguar E-Type (XKE).



Got involved with the national club and ended up judging shows. I saw Jags to die for. When talking to a National Concourse champ, I asked him if he drove his 1965 coupe (midnight blue with ox red interior). He looked to his buddy and they pondered for a moment and then came back "Yeah, we took it around the block in Cleveland that time didn't we...?" Sheesh.

Meanwhile mine was sitting in the lowly "driven" class where with other cars that were actually used, it was largely ignored by the show crowd. I bet I had more good times in that car than any of the show folks. Every time we went out it was like going to a show. There's nothing like pulling up someplace for some day-to-day activity and seeing the reaction of everyday people. Vain? Sure. But as vain as a trophy car on a mirror-mat at a show? Naw. Real is more like it.

I still sold the car for more than it cost me, albeit not for as much as a souless mint example.

Drive!