# E-Type Jagauar.....how do you drive when the front bumper is so far away? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 20, 2018, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503 "2018-05-20T13:26:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2018, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/1 "2018-05-20T13:26:55Z")
So some guy named Harry just got hisself all hitched-up to his gal Meggy with some big fancy weddin’ party. And they drove there in a really,really cool-lookin’ [E type Jag](http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2018/05/19/harry-and-meghans-blue-jaguar-is-500000-green-machine.html). Now, take a look at the pic in the link: …The most famous car in automotive history sure looks terrific. But me, I’m thinkin’: Gee whiz ,how do you actually drive that thing? Because that sleek curvy hood\* is just… _too long_! How is visibility for the driver, sitting so far back from the front bumper? Can you easily see, say, a dead porcupine\*\* on the road ahead of you? What is it like when you drive it to work in Monday morning traffic? How do you maneuver it in a tight parking space? \*bonnet, for you Brits. Sorry if I offended y’all. 🙂 \*\*hedgehog. Sorry, again. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2018, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/2 "2018-05-20T13:35:24Z")
Must be hell to parallel park. 🙂 But I assume that Harry and Meghan don’t go anywhere you need to parallel park, and instead have flunkies to park for them. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2018, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/3 "2018-05-20T13:45:02Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Must be hell to parallel park. 🙂 Especially when you’re sitting on the wrong side. 🙂 But yeah, they don’t often have to do it anyway. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2018, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/4 "2018-05-20T13:45:28Z")
Considering the history of Lucas, I’m stunned at the thought of an electric British car. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2018, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/5 "2018-05-20T14:00:52Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > Now, take a look at the pic in the link: …The most famous car in automotive history sure looks terrific. > But me, I’m thinkin’: Gee whiz ,how do you actually drive that thing? > Because that sleek curvy hood\* is just… _too long_! The proportions hide the fact that the E-type is actually pretty small, and the hood isn’t long but rather the rear is short. I drove one for a bit at a “key party” type meet, where everyone dumps their keys in a bowl and you drive whatever keys you pull out. It wasn’t much different than the [BMW Z3 coupe](http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads19/z3107a1316797655.jpg) I drove to the meet that day. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2018, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/6 "2018-05-20T14:08:29Z")
A) That ain’t what I call a ‘key party’ B) A lot of older cars are that way. Even the classic [Mustangs](https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1034614/1968-ford-mustang-gt-cs-(california-special)-for-sale-in-lutz-florida-33559) had very long hoods in comparison to today’s sloped hoods. It isn’t actually that hard to drive when you get used to it. ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/7 "2018-05-21T09:43:19Z")
OMG that Jag is beautiful. I want an E-type. But one that is more reliable. And more powerful. And less expensive. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/8 "2018-05-21T10:34:55Z")
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess, because I’ve never liked that car. It’s proportioned like a clown shoe. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/9 "2018-05-21T11:25:09Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > The proportions hide the fact that the E-type is actually pretty small, and the hood isn’t long but rather the rear is short. Agreed. I’d bet the E-type has a shorter bonnet than most American cars of its era, it’s just smaller overall. Standard engine was only a six-cylinder (but a bloody good one). ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/10 "2018-05-21T11:44:57Z")
I’d rather a long nose compared to the modern trend of not being able to see any of the car at all past the windscreen. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/11 "2018-05-21T12:07:25Z")
When I turned 16, my family had a Dodge van with _nothing_ in front of the windshield. Much of the engine was alongside the driver, under a hatch. It was weird driving any car after learning on that. ---
**Author:** ![Seren359](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@Seren359](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seren359)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/12 "2018-05-21T12:59:25Z")
Enzo Ferrari Said that Jaguar E-type was “the most beautiful car in the world.” I do not believe that you can get a better compliment than that. ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/13 "2018-05-21T13:23:12Z")
Years ago, Car and Driver surveyed automotive designers, and the E-type got the most votes for most beautiful car. It is kind of a polarizing look, though, so I get why some find it unattractive. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/14 "2018-05-21T13:44:44Z")
> [@Capn\_Carl](#): > > Years ago, Car and Driver surveyed automotive designers, and the E-type got the most votes for most beautiful car. It is kind of a polarizing look, though, so I get why some find it unattractive. no surprise, old guys love the stuff they grew up with. That’s why '70s muscle cars are fetching 6-7 figures at auctions. ---
**Author:** ![Randolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Randolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randolph)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/15 "2018-05-21T15:24:37Z")
> [@Seren359](#): > > Enzo Ferrari > Said that Jaguar E-type was “the most beautiful car in the world.” > I do not believe that you can get a better compliment than that. He also said, “The Jeep is the only real American sports car.” ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/16 "2018-05-21T15:42:25Z")
> [@Capn\_Carl](#): > > OMG that Jag is beautiful. I want an E-type. But one that is more reliable. And more powerful. And less expensive. I always preferred the 1960s [Jag 420](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_420_and_Daimler_Sovereign_(1966%E2%80%9369)#/media/File:Jag_420_Daimler_Sov.jpg), myself. More elegance to the lines and fine working. The E-type will pull more horses, though. Hell, I’m just an antiquarian. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/17 "2018-05-21T18:26:46Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > no surprise, old guys love the stuff they grew up with. I’d say even modern designers (and lots of ordinary people) would agree with that assessment - I"m guessing that’s why it was in the royal wedding. Of course, they had the tricky part of finding something British and non-controversial, and their hey-day of the 60s is the safest bet. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/18 "2018-05-21T19:56:24Z")
Well, you see kids . . . My Dad had a 1976 LeMans, now THAT was a long hood. I hated driving that thing. My brother and I called it the “Pimp Mobile.” [It looked like this, only white with a black leather roof.](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/59/76/cd/5976cd19ab0bb1e1c8453dbbe25299ab--pontiac-lemans-matt.jpg) But I did like driving the ['69 ragtop LeMans which looked like this but with black leather seats (and no dents.)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Pontiac-LeMans-front.jpg/1200px-Pontiac-LeMans-front.jpg). That was my car in high school. It’s all in what you are accustomed to. That Jag would creep me out because I’d be paranoid about getting rear-ended. I don’t like any car with seats right up against the back bumper. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/19 "2018-05-21T20:15:32Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Especially when you’re sitting on the wrong side. 🙂 No, he was sitting on the [del]right[/del] correct\* side; it’s just they _drive_ on the wrong side. - the Jag Harry drove off in is actually a left-hand drive car. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503/20 "2018-05-21T20:47:22Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > Agreed. I’d bet the E-type has a shorter bonnet than most American cars of its era, it’s just smaller overall. Standard engine was only a six-cylinder (but a bloody good one). The E-Type had a six-cylinder engine, but it was an inline six. That would be longer than a comparable V-8. > [@kayaker](#): > > When I turned 16, my family had a Dodge van with _nothing_ in front of the windshield. Much of the engine was alongside the driver, under a hatch. It was weird driving any car after learning on that. I had a Volkswagen bus for a while. Visibility wasn’t an issue , but I did have to get used to the driving position. The front seats were directly above the front wheels. If I was in a parking lot, and turning in to a particular space, it almost felt like I was driving past it before making the turn, if that makes any sense. I would think that might take some getting used to in the Jaguar; when you’re making a turn into a tight space you have to account for how far behind the front wheels you are. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-type-jagauar-how-do-you-drive-when-the-front-bumper-is-so-far-away/814503.md?page=2)