What Makes A Car Romantic?

Romanosky Automotive Weekly Gazette

After a decade with Porsches, I now find myself surrounded by Jaguars - and I tell anybody who will listen how underrated they are. In the course of my re-immersion - our family had Jaguars when I was growing up - I follow all the Bring-A-Trailer auctions of classic Jags. It pleased me greatly that no less a figure than Anatoly Arutunoff chimed in on a XJS Convertible that recently sold, and commented;

"David E. Davis let me drive one of these on his ‘USA Today Top 10 Dream Cars’ Automobile Magazine tour long ago. I thought it was a ridiculous automobile–until I drove it! it was the most romantic car I’ve ever driven! I wanted to put Catherine Deneuve next to me and drive off into the sunset, and I don’t even particularly like Catherine Deneuve!" -@anatolyarutunoff

For those who don't know the name 'Toly', as he is known, has been a competitive and entertaining presence at sports car races and Concours since the 1960's. He has owned and competed in just about everything; entering cars in the original and retrospective versions of the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio as well as Pebble Beach and everything in-between. Here is a recent interview he did with BAT. One of his cars, a Zagato bodied Lancia Appia, recently sold into Calgary.

Anyway, his comment got me thinking about what makes a car romantic and when it was that automobiles started to be thought of in this way. What are the characteristics of an automobile that give them this emotional quality? When I thought about it, I realized that these were many of the cars that I have been always drawn towards.

The 1923 advertisement in the Saturday Evening Post for the Jordan Playboy is widely credited as being the first automobile advertisement to sell on emotion, rather than the nuts and bolts of the machine. In another word, romance.

What a romantic automobile means to me is one that you can use to take your partner somewhere with a combination of comfort, style and adventure. The phase of the relationship that you happen to be in, and choice of partner, will dictate the mix. The right car can create the memories and experiences that bond couples together. The reverse is also true! Here are some classics which fit my own definition:

1933 Morgan 3-Wheel Sports

I've never owned a Morgan 3-Wheel but if and when I do I'm going to paint it light blue and add wicker doors, like Peter Seller's ride in 'The Party'. Definitely on the 'adventure' side of romance, the Morgans had antiquated suspension even in the 1930's and the exposed valvegear does have the habit of coating the occupants with a fine mist of oil. The yellow dress might not be the best choice for an extended drive. One thing is for sure, the ride home will be cosy.

1958-1978 Citroen DS Chapron Cabriolet

Henri Chapron was a famous Parisian coachbuilder who made a limited number of Citroen Cabriolets (1,365) between 1958 and 1978. He was still taking orders - long after the DS went out of production in 1971. A nice Cabriolet is $250k today, but the standard sedans can still be had for a reasonable sum. Possibly the most comfortable car ever made, this could be the ideal car for the Cote d'Azur or the PCH. Front wheel drive means there is no console between the seats.

1971 Mercedes-Benz 280se 3.5 Cabriolet

“I walked into Mercedes on Park Avenue and said I wanted that car, but with a tan top and tan leather seats and a silver body,” he said. “They told me that they didn’t make it that way. But then they did it". "That car has history, memories. It is more beautiful today than ever before, and I will never sell it” - Ralph Lauren

I've never considered Mercedes cars very romantic, but the Paul Bracq designed Mercedes from the 1960's and early 1970's were as emotional and expressive as they come. The W111 Coupes featured fragrant leathers, large comfortable seats and gorgeous wood - they were the last of the hand-built Mercedes. They are reliable which means you will get to your destination, and with with a 3.5 Litre V8 the car is relaxed at highway speeds.

1965 Jaguar Mk X 'Flueguar'

I'm not generally a fan of restomods but I think John Fluevog's update of his dad's Mk X Jaguar is fabulous. Of course I think everything the Vancouver based shoe designer does is fabulous. How can you not love his branding of Fluevog shoe soles as 'Satan resistant'? He has made good use of the Flueguar which is strategically placed in front of, or inside, his shoe stores. With matching shoes he makes quite an entrance.

The big Jaguars from the 60's - Mk X and 420 - normally don't get a lot of love. In England they were known as bank robber's cars and those favoured by the gangsters because they were fast had had large 'boots'. This one isn't nearly as sinister.

1937 Delahaye 135M Figoni & Falaschi Cabriolet

Giuseppe Figoni's creations can be better described as sculpture than a mode of transportation. Figoni et Falaschi were Italian coachbuilders that perhaps best personified the Art Deco Streamlined Style in the late 1930's. Inspired by aircraft with tear drop silouettes and enveloping bodies, these cars include the famous Talbot Lago 'Tear Drops' as well as the finest cars from Delage, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti and Delahaye. With vibrant colours and rich golden wood in the interiors, these cars are impossibly glamourous. In period they were often paired with Parisian couturiers, and displayed with the finest fashions at Concours d'Elegance. Most are built on Grand Prix chassis, so they are fast too. Worth millions today, and unhappy in traffic, they sadly don't get used for their intended purpose. Perhaps the world's best collection of these cars is in the Mullin Museum in Oxnard, CA.

1964 Land Rover Series 2A 109" Dormobile

At first glance this many not appear to be a romantic purchase, and certainly my wife didn't think so after I dragged it home. It was sitting for 30 years and home to a staggering cross section of insect and rodent life. In my defence, this Dormobile camper conversion had a good story.

Bought new by a Physician from Ucluelet, BC it was picked up in England and driven around the world with his wife - on their honeymoon! The sticker in the windshield is from the Kruger game park in South Africa. Something big and round hit it in the front fender. I figure if a relationship can survive driving around the world in a Series Land Rover, it can withstand anything. In my case I thought it best that it was sold on to a more sympathetic household.

1970 Renault 10

The last word goes to Renault in their efforts to make a completely ordinary economy car romantic - they advertise for fifty bucks the rear seats fold into a bed!

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FOR SALE

1986 Jaguar XJ-SC

Cinnamon on Oatmeal

68,00km

Scheduled on BAT

April 2022

1986 JAGUAR XJ-SC CABRIOLET

"One of the few Classic Car Bargains in today's heated market: 2 owner Western Canadian car, fully serviced"

Antelope Metallic (AFM) on Doeskin Leather, bought new in Winnipeg, 2 owners, 93k mileage. $12k+ in recent bills including engine-out major service ($8.5k), new V-rated Vredestein Sprint Tires ($1,800), plus cosmetics. Now everything works and nothing leaks!

$CDN 20,000

1961 Land Rover S2A 88" Soft Top

Greensand on Black, Khaki canvas 'tilt', restoration to 'concours' standards. Substantial amount of NOS parts, with every mechanical component completely rebuilt by XJ Automotive Service.

$CDN 100,000

Final Assembly in Progress at www.lugnutz.ca