Driving a Jaguar's Impressive, but....

Like the Jaguar, many vintage British automobiles were designed by remarkable men who were capable of using the articulate stroke of the hand to scribe a timeless classic automobile concept on a piece of paper. That concept was handed over to another group of remarkable men who were capable of hammering and forming flat pieces of sheet metal into what some of the most discerning critics would consider a work of art. These people were blessed with great talents that many of us can only dream of. They were automotive visionaries who created auto body designs that modern technology is forever struggling to improve upon. You may not find much written about them in history books, but they do live on through those who continue to maintain and drive their machines, and take the time to inform others.

The visual characteristics of these fine automobiles are second to none, but those qualities are not the only reason there’s so much excitement drawn to these cars. The driving experience is one that cannot be easily described, no matter what colorful and descriptive words are used. I can testify from my own experiences that when I take any of my little British cars for a drive, it is an opportunity to rekindle my spirits. I quickly become totally rejuvenated from the hectic and frazzling affects of my stressful workweek. It all has to do with the free spirited driving experience these cars provide. Of course there’s also the interesting places you go, beautiful sights you see, good friends you meet, and the people you come upon during your travels who stop whatever they’re doing to watch a car they may have never seen before. Their curiosity piques while they nod their heads with approval and share an infectious smile.

It’s a fact of life that British cars of the 19th & 20th centuries are becoming scarcer on the roads of North America with every passing year. The owners are aging and so are the machines. The owners become less active over time, and so goes the machines. But wait, there’s good news! The talented people who brought these great automobiles to the world many years ago would be grateful to know there are many wonderful people living today who are taking on the important task of caring for these very important and historic mechanical wonders. Many are enthusiastically involved with these cars and are using their precious spare time keeping them maintained and readily capable of driving any suitable road on the face of this earth at any moment’s notice.

It’s not important whether the car is a well cared for beauty or a race prepped bad-boy that is capable of proving its racing heritage on the track, or whether it’s a slightly faded diamond in the rough that has seen better days. Or maybe it’s a brightly shined diamond jewel of a car that is even more original than the day it rolled off the assembly line. In any of these cases, it’s a worthy piece of automotive history that deserves to be displayed to the remainder of the world for posterity. Think about the scenario of a little kid sitting in the back seat of the modern mini-van that has stopped next to you at the stoplight. He or she has their mouth wide-open, nose smudged against the window and big, bright eyes staring at your car with excitement. This short period of excitement could end up being responsible for one of tomorrow’s British car enthusiasts!

The 10th Annual British Car Week takes place during the week of May 27 to June 4, 2006. This is a special nine-day extended British car promotional week that is intended for all classic British car enthusiasts and their cars. This annual effort is intended for all British car owners to help promote all things associated with British motorcars! If your car is safely licensed to drive, then all you need to do is drive it around your hometown during this awareness week and show all of your local townspeople that these cars are continuing to provide unequalled entertainment for their happy and proud owners! If you happen to notice that your favorite British car club isn’t actively participating with other enthusiasts during British Car Week, please be sure to let them know about this event. It’s very possible they would be actively involved if they knew about it.

Meanwhile, if you happen to see a smiling chap or chapess driving a British car down the road and appearing to be having the greatest time of his or her life, please be sure to share a smile and nod of approval. After all, you’re the fortunate one who gets to watch the car go by! If you happen to be one of the fortunate British car “drivers,” be sure to grab your goggles and driving gloves, and top off those dash pots! It’s time to have some British car driving fun!!