Random question: etype

[rivarama]

Ok - a bit of a random one for fellow car guys

I have caught myself lusting after etypes more and more lately… I might have gotten to the point where I now need to scratch that itch.

I am ruling out the Series 1 (hate flat floors and they command too big a premium) and series 3 (not as pretty), can’t be convertible and can’t be a 2+2 (not pretty either) so would go for a fixed head series 2, manual.

At the moment the market seems to be settled around £45-50k for a nice usable car with good history but not perfect and around £60-70k for a full restored one (usually cost of restoration greater than the asking price)…

Before I part with the best part of £60k - I was wondering whether people have any experience to share that might be useful?

For a car that’s rust free and mechanically sound (recent restoration), am I likely to get £4-5k bills every year? I am looking at a 3 years commitment to start before I decide whether it’s a long term keeper.

Thank you

 

[Oneball]

Not much difference between a non flat floor Series 1 or 1.5 and a series 2 mechanically but the rear lights on a 2 are ugly.

Go sit in one. I think fhc are difficult to get in to.

Bills wise everything can be done at home. There’s no nasties in my opinion. I’d stick to SUs and points ignition.

 

[philw696]

Loving this post as a Jaguar lover my self.
Lack of use is the Biggest problem but I don't think you'll be getting Big bills if it's a nice car to start with.
Any Good Garage with proper Old School Motor Engineer's are what you need to look after it if you're not doing it yourself.
Love the XK engine and SU carburetors just a nice set up.
A car that you don't need a huge tool kit for too just AF spanners, sockets and screw drivers.
Any special tools needed were in the boot from Jaguar the tool for adjusting the timing chain and the hammer for the wheel spinners.
If you haven't got one get a Good grease gun.
A lovely car to come over and do the Alps in just don't upset the Italian's
Good Luck in the hunt.

 

[Scaf]

Not much difference between a non flat floor Series 1 or 1.5 and a series 2 mechanically but the rear lights on a 2 are ugly.

Go sit in one. I think fhc are difficult to get in to.

Bills wise everything can be done at home. There’s no nasties in my opinion. I’d stick to SUs and points ignition.

I am 6’3’’ and getting in and out was a problem for me when I considered a fixed head and looked at a few.

I can’t imagine you would see massive annual bills if the car has been correctly restored.

 

[zagatoes30]

As above FHC access is not great but once you're in they're comfortable enough. Old school mechanics so nothing to scary as long as you start with the best you can .

 

[RoaryRati]

My Dad always wanted one - but gettting out of the drive would have been a no no given it was just after a hard bend.

 

[rivarama]

The independent rear suspension system sound very scary. Effectively requires a frame drop everytime work needs to be done on the brakes…

Looking at 2 cars. One that like new but stock as it was back in the days so comes w design issues and technology of that era.
The other one is an ex racers which huge pedigree that’s been decommissioned and restored in 2013 but bee fired from brilliant upgrades enhance reliability and usability

1969 Jaguar E-Type Blue Manual, 4 speed Right Hand Drive...

1969 Jaguar E-Type Blue Manual, 4 speed Right Hand Drive in United Kingdom - For Sale | Car & Classic, £58,000 A star car to many classic...

www.carandclassic.com

Going to go see it next week end.

 

[philw696]

Don't be scared by the rear suspension it's a piece of cake on a lift but many enthusiast's do it on axle stands and pull it out on a trolley jack.
You just need a guy that knows Jaguars.
It's Race Winning suspension that Jaguar continued to use for many years.
My 96 XJ6 has it but the brakes are now outboard but the same independent set up.
Good Luck and keep us posted.

 

[zagatoes30]

Years ago mate (mechanic) and I (gopher) pulled the rear subframe out of a S1 XJ6 on the side of the road and it was a relatively simple job with axle stands and a trolley jack so not sure you need to worry about that. Lots or parts availability as well and all for sensible prices.

 

[Oneball]

The independent rear suspension system sound very scary. Effectively requires a frame drop everytime work needs to be done on the brakes…

Looking at 2 cars. One that like new but stock as it was back in the days so comes w design issues and technology of that era.
The other one is an ex racers which huge pedigree that’s been decommissioned and restored in 2013 but bee fired from brilliant upgrades enhance reliability and usability

1969 Jaguar E-Type Blue Manual, 4 speed Right Hand Drive...

1969 Jaguar E-Type Blue Manual, 4 speed Right Hand Drive in United Kingdom - For Sale | Car & Classic, £58,000 A star car to many classic...

www.carandclassic.com

Going to go see it next week end.

Do go for a drive, take the spiel about “upgrades” with a pinch of salt. Proper race cars are not nice things on the road.

 

[zagatoes30]

The independent rear suspension system sound very scary. Effectively requires a frame drop everytime work needs to be done on the brakes…

Looking at 2 cars. One that like new but stock as it was back in the days so comes w design issues and technology of that era.
The other one is an ex racers which huge pedigree that’s been decommissioned and restored in 2013 but bee fired from brilliant upgrades enhance reliability and usability

1969 Jaguar E-Type Blue Manual, 4 speed Right Hand Drive...

1969 Jaguar E-Type Blue Manual, 4 speed Right Hand Drive in United Kingdom - For Sale | Car & Classic, £58,000 A star car to many classic...

www.carandclassic.com

Going to go see it next week end.

Looks nice but race cars are race cars for a reason

 

[rivarama]

Will go and try it and report back

 

[zagatoes30]

Will go and try it and report back

It will be a fun experience if nothing else - enjoy

 

[Felonious Crud]

It will be a fun experience if nothing else - enjoy

Including for the rest of us. One of the great things about the forum is the vicarious enjoyment of other people's cars.

 

[midlifecrisis]

Including for the rest of us. One of the great things about the forum is the vicarious enjoyment of other people's cars.

Even if you're not in it, but behind trying to get on the gas as early as possible out of French roundabout trying to keep up with a V12...

 

[highlander]

e-type prob my (and many others) top tick box car so best of luck with your search so I can follow!

 

[philw696]

Back to working on a 60's and 70's Jaguar they really are a pleasure to work on and one of my favorites to be fair.
All the technical information you need is available along with some renowned parts suppliers and you don't need a complex tool kit.
The rear suspension as it comes out of the car then making it easy to work on but far safer using a lift.
I overhauled my cylinder head at home working on the driveway as I love natural light and again all doable by yourself.
These pictures when I was in New Zealand.

 

[Motorsport3]

The independent rear suspension system sound very scary. Effectively requires a frame drop everytime work needs to be done on the brakes…

Looking at 2 cars. One that like new but stock as it was back in the days so comes w design issues and technology of that era.
The other one is an ex racers which huge pedigree that’s been decommissioned and restored in 2013 but bee fired from brilliant upgrades enhance reliability and usability

1969 Jaguar E-Type Blue Manual, 4 speed Right Hand Drive...

1969 Jaguar E-Type Blue Manual, 4 speed Right Hand Drive in United Kingdom - For Sale | Car & Classic, £58,000 A star car to many classic...

www.carandclassic.com

Going to go see it next week end.

Im no jaguar expert but his is beautiful and from description appears sympatheticaly/ subtly upgraded to be more of a drivers car.

Personally i like the design of the rear lights because it leaves the curvature above the bumper clean. Front pref the covered version of mkI

 

[rivarama]

So went to check it out yesterday. A beautiful thing and sold from a serious shop as part of the estate of one of their long term customers.
Even if the engine and gearbox are something special, the car needed to much work. Nothing major but plenty of small bits that would add up to thousands and the body showed some sign of rust under the paint…
Decided to pass given there was no flex on price. The search continues

 

[philw696]

I'd say that was a wise move as the body repairs will go further than you can see at the moment.
Enjoy the search.