1972 Jag XK's Are Like Peanut Butter

"Money Hustard" (moneyhustard)
12/12/2014 at 09:57 • Filed to: Classic Cars

Two things could make my life better:

1) I could eat as much peanut butter as I wanted without suffering any deleterious health effects.

2) I could drive a 1970's Jag without ever having to worry about it breaking.

Both are outlandish things that will never happen, but it doesn't make me want them any less. Just look at how many dozens of things probably break every time the car is driven just in this one photo:

Dem switches tho..........

You can't get style like this with a warranty.

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Question: assuming you still had to pay for the car's purchase price, but you never had to worry whatsoever about the maintence, what would it be?

DISCUSSION (12)

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Money Hustard
12/12/2014 at 10:14

Kinja'd!!!

These would be toggle switches instead of rockers if it weren't for US DOT meddling - if I'm not mistaken. I know that's the case on many/most Brit roadsters after around '70.

Money Hustard > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
12/12/2014 at 10:15

Really? What was the regulation that deprived us of toggle switches?

Seriously, did the DOT just lose their mind in the 70's?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Money Hustard
12/12/2014 at 10:20

It was a "you'll shoot, er, poke your eye out!" regulation. "Safe" dashes. This is why you never, ever see a toggle switch on a dash past about 1970 except for the new Mini, and the new Mini has a twist. Look closely the next time you're in one - they've got a rib on either side of every switch to keep it from protruding past its surroundings, and that's something I think they had to lobby to get away with.

Money Hustard > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
12/12/2014 at 10:21

Toggle switches really would make just about any interior better.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Money Hustard
12/12/2014 at 10:29

It seems that the MGB went to rocker switches in *all* markets in the 70s, whether it was just easier that way to cope with US regulations, I don't know. I do seem to recall that the fender headlights on Land Rovers were occasioned by US regs most of all in terms of side visibility or some such, so it wouldn't be the first time the US market's silly rules created a tipping point/excuse to change something that might have gotten changed anyway.

McMike > Money Hustard
12/12/2014 at 10:36

Kinja'd!!!

Actually, the only additional complication here is the AC and the black knobs on either side of the vents.

The rest of it was pretty much unchanged. (heat on right next to tach, choke on the other side) and switches for wipers, interior lights, side and headlights

Jaguar E-Type interior spotter's guide.

Early S1 cars - toggle switches and a turned metal dash plate.

Kinja'd!!!

Later series 1 cars got rid of the metal, because there were complaints about reflections.

Kinja'd!!!

Series 2 cars (1969-1971) received the biggest change. Clock was moved from the tach to the dash, rocker switches were used instead of toggle switches (because safety) and a few other items were moved around and became rocker switches (like the headlights, and that horrible add-on hazzard light switch above your left knee)

Kinja'd!!!

Series 3 cars got rid of the wood wheel, but most of it remained the same (most cars were fitted with AC)

Kinja'd!!!

Fun fact, on the Series 2 and 3 cars, the far right rocker switch is for a rear defroster, but it was never labeled on the roadsters. It's just a dead switch.

Money Hustard > McMike
12/12/2014 at 10:39

Today on Oppo: how "progress" destroyed car interiors.

McMike > Money Hustard
12/12/2014 at 10:54

Also see: The dangerous interior door handle that moved out of sight starting in 1969.

Kinja'd!!!