The 'E' Type Forum

Some really interesting thoughts about the impact of the phasing out of fossil fuel vehicles. There are a couple of other issues to consider looking at the bigger picture… - The maintenance of the revenue stream currently provided to the government by the Vehicle Excise Duty and Petrol Duty. - The i...

Sorry John, I didn't realize that historics were exempt! I play with Renault Clio V6 cars as well, the mid engined daft machines, and the forum for those was lit up a few months ago by folks who live inside the ULEZ. I seem to remember them taking about having to pay a £10 to pop to the shops to get...

I think that this is still in the consultation phase Andrew. The EU are driving for a 30 year cut-off for MOTs, and the UK have countered with a 40 year proposal, hence the 1976 date. I would certainly carry on getting an MOT-type safety check on my cars for peace of mind, and I really do think that...

I'm amazed that so many of the S3 cars have survived with very little rust compared with the S1 and S2 cars, especially considering the BL reputation. I've had a few chats with the bodywork guys at CMC and they agree that a far higher proportion of S3s have survived rot-free compared with the earlie...

If the engine is from an XJ12 then I'm afraid it's not worth very much; maybe £200 - £400. The problem is that the heads very often corroded onto the studs, are a pig to get off, and most are scrap anyway due to rot in the waterways....and a stuck stud or two chopped off in them! It's worth more if ...

I really like the structure of these books, and still refer to it after 20 years of having E Types and most of the other 70 odd books on E Types. My old black 4.2 Coupe is in there, looking very good. They show the seats as the example of the 4.2 seats, but in fact they are Series 2 recliners, trimm...

Looking very good Bob. I think that I have an original wheel nut remover lurking in the garage somewhere. I'll pop over soon for an inspect!
Mark

Hi Brian
I'm near Newent about 8 miles from Gloucester, with a S3 OTS, so it has a similar driving position / roominess of a 2+2. You are very welcome to pop over at any time, just PM me.
Mark

Steve, it's really worth cleaning the cooling system with a decent product like Forte coolant flush if your system innards are unknown. The V12 silts up very quickly apparently, and if the coolant hasn't been changed frequently (every 2 or 3 years) it's worth spending a bit to be assured that it's p...

Rob, I think that the best bet is to find a race / rally SEAT builder, and get them to build you a seat that will bolt into place. I think that you can achieve the same result, and not end up with a modified car that nobody wants when you come to sell it. And it will cost you a few hundred pounds, n...

Much more fun and challenging that way, Andrew....I've done a couple in a similar state. In March 2014 I sold a Lotus Elan that had been taken apart in 1974, moved house 4 times, and was still completely apart. And by apart I mean that the servo was in 50 or so pieces, the carburettor parts in cigar...

One of the biggest bike shows of the year is one this weekend at Stafford, only an hour or so from you. You will get some good ideas there! http://www.classicbikeshows.com/event/34th-carole-nash-international-classic-motorcycle-show/ I have been playing with a couple of Honda's finest from the 1980s...

Warren, I don't think that your thoughts are so unusual. I really enjoy the restoration process, and always start to think of the next project about three quarters of the way through! This usually means that I don't have much time to actually go and drive the car I've just restored, and when I do, i...

Great pictures Simon, and thanks for taking the trouble to write up the visit. CMC's facilities are now quite stunning, and their hourly rate hasn't gone up much in the past few years, which keeps them very competitive. The last time I went up, in autumn last year, they were just talking about getti...

But there is no doubt that the S1 Coupe is the most beautiful of all the E Types

Having had Lotus Elans for many years I always disconnect the battery of old cars when they are parked up in the garage. Elans are famous for self-ignition, but I have seen a Mk2 Jaguar and a Dino do the same.

The E Type ammeter always worries me!

If you have an agreed value policy they will pay that agreed value. I had an email from Hagerty, my insurers, last year, telling me to review the insured value of my cars as the market had moved so much. I think it's worth spending a few minutes doing just that!

Having new foams does make a difference, and some recent foams are quite stiff, making you sit on top of the cushion rather than sinking into it. My S3 has had two sets of foams so far and it's still not as spongy as my S1 seats were. The foams can be cut down, and the diaphragm connectors underneat...

Isn't it interesting how we get a bit excited at the thought of an E Type dropping in value, yet seem to not worry about the near vertical cliff that is new car depreciation! Buy a mid-top of the range Mercedes, Jaguar, Audi, Range Rover or BMW for ?80k, and it's value drops by ?20k before you get i...

The front view looks gorgeous, but that's the only view that looks good on the Espada as well!
It's not the worst modified E Type I've seen, but certainly not a patch on the original design.