Mr Chen, thank you for the inspiration. My RAM D Type has been off the road under covers since my daughter was born 16 years ago. Before that, it was my every day car for the 7 years after I built it - sun, rain, snow, and without a garage. I was with Adrian Cocking (RAM is now Realm Engineering, Adrian still runs the company) only last week, buying a short nose bonnet. I cannot wait to get up tomorrow morning to start stripping the car down to rebuild it for the summer now!
You wouldn't want to drive your authentic $10-$15mil xkss down a dirt road, but driving your million dollar recreation is just fine. Some years ago there was a gathering in California of most of the original xkss's, certainly one of the most stunning events I'd ever witnessed. Love to see James actually driving and enjoying this car as much as he does. Even the recreation cars are legendary. And whoever asked Mr. Chen if this car was fake should be ashamed of themselves. Calling this car "fake" is automotive blasphemy! Great job Petrolicious!
It’s not one of the recreations that Jaguar made, its based on an E-type that some guy built up, is not the 1 million one, and that, at least to me makes it in a way even cooler, he can drive it without worrying to much about the depreciation, that being said, I don’t think this was cheap either
Eric, I'll happily call this car the death of a '64 E-type. This is NOT a good recreation. If you've got an hour or two I'll explain why. If you're gong to call blasphemy, try to know what you're talking about.
James, Thank you for all you give back to the old car hobby...and todays youth. Both are so important. Love that you don't baby this XKSS. Steve is smiling down on you, from heaven.JTOrlando, Fl
I love this owner. Petrolicious has done several of his vehicles. He seems to be the genuine article and not afraid to flog the sh!t out of them as well. Kudos Mr. Chen, you have a wonderful collection!!! Thank you for sharing with us.
I actually do the same with my 370z!! There is a street close by me in a mountain that late night is awesome to drive when there are no other cars around.
His opinions towards the end regarding the future of automotive enthusiasm is very true. Driving will soon become a luxury rather than a daily task, and eventually petrol will become a highly expensive commodity along with it.
Everyone's been doing it for years with the Shelby Cobras. No complaints here. Build what you want at the price you can afford. James Chen is a genuine car guy.
Haven't thought about that! Considering Mr. Chen is not a stunt-driver, and the fact that he is driving, not an expendable stunt-car but a freakin' XKSS, makes that shot even more awesome. In terms of cinematography, I believe I've never seen that particular framing and trajectory, in any movies of car related videos. (please correct me if I'm wrong) Compliments to Mr Chen, for his bravery and exquisite taste.
Adrian Cocking of Realm Engineering builds the RAM XKSS. Adrian enjoys a splendid reputation in the Jaguar Drivers Club as an expert par excellence. Richard Noble, who held the land speed record for many years, owns a RAM XKSS built by Adrian Cocking. Thanks for this excellent video on the RAM XKSS.
Nice video. Thank you. I remember reading a circuit test of a D Type as part of an Autocar series in the mid to late 1970s, wherein the tester mentioned its twitchy behaviour in corners, due to the solid rear axle. Using an XKE as the basis for an XKSS tribute is an excellent idea for a road car, especially one that will be surrounded by vehicles with disc brakes and ABS.
I am 26 years old. I do not consider myself a millenial because I value grit and discipline. I am however a huge fan and supporter of period correct classic vehicles without modern flash and computer assists. There still is a future for timeless classics!!
Sweet car I wish more companies would make recreations of old cars. There's no excuse to not buy a classic car I got my MGB GT for like £3000 which is a lot cheaper then most second hand cars.
At 21, a lot of my peers worry me. People my age who want to genuinely devote all of their focus to any single activity at a time are truly hard to find. Anything they do has to be accompanied by Snapchat and text messages or Facebook to keep up to date. They can’t be bothered to fully consume themselves in any one thing. For me, my passion for driving is one that consumes, that demands full and uninterrupted attention. It takes me to another place, not just physically but mentally. Today’s wired up society never allow themselves to develop true passion or even hobbies to help define who they are. Everything they know is short term multitasking and scrabbling for money or romance or social recognition to “get ahead”. Our only hope to keep driving alive is the few of us from the PlayStation generation that still dream about Gran Turismo, 90’s rally machines and our father’s long lost muscle cars.
Not to worry, my hatred for automatic transmissions and fragile, obtrusive electronics is already seated deep within my soul. 0-60 and HP don’t matter if you’re truly enjoying the experience and connection of driving.
Ryan M the fastest cars I ever drove were actually really slow. There is nothing like the rumble of a triumph spitfire being tossed around a back road, I keep trying to recapture that.....
/r/lewronggeneration Dude, you are hanging around the wrong 21 year olds if you can't find others who share your passions. It's not a generational thing. Go find your people.
That’s why I phrased it as “peers”. All of my real friends and I share different degrees of excitement for driving but all agree it’s well beyond a means of transportation. But I’m always on the lookout for more of my people. Few and far between out here!
Hello Sergej, You are right about wanting to see more of his fantastic classics and maybe you can convince Vladimir P. to go with you on a trip to see and enjoy such classics so he can change maybe his perception to what's really worth fighting for in life, an idelology or mankinds technical and beautiful creatiions. And by the way the same applies for our allies and the leaders of our 'so fantastic' demicracies. May God bless you and your felliow countrymen and all of mankind
This is the guy with the Berlinetta Lusso (Petrolicious episode: : Lusso Morning Ritual). It looks like he really knows how to handle that beast. Great parting shot! Man, this guy is living! I will say one thing though: Convertibles need roll bars. There’s no other answer. They have to be installed. I used to know an EMT who encountered some real living nightmares of guys who rolled their ragtops. He described the aftermath as looking like scrambled eggs. Yes, it happens.
Good to see Mr. Chen back on the channel, with another great car. Also appreciated the reference to Lucas, The Prince of Darkness, even with a quality build like this one :P
vtr0104 Well I've never before heard the phrase "Lucas, the Prince of Darkness" Here in mainland Europe, the old world, it is "Lucas, the INVENTOR of darkness. I guess some was lost in translation with Ozzy living in the US and all.....
You made me smile throughout the video, then cheer at the end! What a lovely story, and a true passionate soul! I'm taking a break from working on my project car to watch this,cand someday hope to do a PL video that may be half as good as this one. Thank you, and best wishes with your cars and family.
