Two doors, four seats, twelve cylinders and a lot of leather—it’s a simple recipe that makes for perhaps the most indulgent of all automotive delights, the multi-cylinder GT car. The first rule of any cuisine is to use quality ingredients, and both our featured cars start with the smoothest and most prestigious of all engine configurations, a V12. Wrapped in delicately shaped and elegant bodywork, the style of each reflects the taste of its own unique national character.
The Jaguar is quintessentially British, full of idiosyncratic and hand-made looking details. Its graceful flying buttresses, veneer-laden interior, chrome fittings, aromatic leather and wool carpet all contribute to a very warm, very human personality—call it perfectly imperfect. Of course, old world style charm also means old world style reliability, or rather distinct a lack of it—high reward by way of high maintenance.
The BMW is also strongly reminiscent of the culture that bred it. Its modern, forward-thinking style and high-tech approach in stark contrast to the Jag’s decidedly old-fashioned way. Teutonic build quality and attention to detail mean efficient ergonomics and a billet-hewn feel of integrity. Any pillarless coupe is cool in our books, let alone one with pop-up headlights and a twelve cylinder engine.
We like to sum-up the differences between the two like this: the Jag’s a tufted chesterfield with a soft patina, while the Bimmer’s a freshly-restored Eames lounge chair. The question is, which do you find more comfortable?
1991 BMW 8-Series
Click here for the BMW details.
1989 Jaguar XJS
