The 'E' Type Forum

Dear Forum,

I have just begun the process of restoring my series I E-Type roadster (1E 15392). The car is not a total wreck but there is enough rot from a decade or two of standing idle to justify a full engine-out restoration.

A full nut and bold job puts me in the enviable position of being able to re-paint the car in whatever colour I choose. In this case, I would almost certainly opt for dark blue with red or tan leather. The car's heritage certificate, however, states that the car left the factory adorned in opalescent golden sand with black trim.

If money was no object I'd go for dark blue. I'm not a purist. In fact, I'd have Eagle build me a fully upgraded car. Unfortunately, I will come to sell the car one day and given the significant amount of money involved in restoring one of these things, I have to consider it's resale value. My question then, is whether anyone out there would buy an E-Type in opalescent golden sand?! Everyone tells me that I should restore the car to its original colour scheme in order to maximise its value, but does this advice still ring true if the car was originally painted gold?! Perhaps I'd be better off doing away originality and broadening the market of potential buyers for my car?

Yours faithfully,

Andrew D.

This thread should answer your questions: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5523

OGS looks fantastic so no reason to dismiss it. Hopefully the car will be at our Forum meet at Bicester in April.

Hi Andrew

Dave has posted the restoration thread of our car above.
I had never even heard of OGS when we got the car but we decided to go for originality.

Since completion, the car has been to quite a few shows and won many awards and the FIRST thing everyone says they like about it is its colour

I must admit the interior colour light tan is also a great combo whereas black maybe not quite so, but thats just my view but I have another etype with a black interior as well.

Its your car, your choice and nothing is wrong really, but I know what I would choose every time,..OGS

Ian

It was also a popular colour back in the day and 1,710 S1 4.2's were so painted.

You'll never know who comes up to buy your car and what colour scheme he might favour. I've seen Alty Ian's car and it is absolutely gourgeous. Go original.
Martin

Heuer wrote:It was also a popular colour back in the day and 1,710 S1 4.2's were so painted.

Quite right Dave,.. and ours was the first one

Yes, I would.
I saw one in OGS with a red interior. Looked very good.

All,

I remember seeing a brand new Opalacent Sand OTS roadster in 1966. Mine was Primrose Pale. I thought the world, of the colour golden sand. That one that I saw then, had beige interior, and beige canvas top, not black.

Black, as an interior is long lasting, since it does not show wear as much as the lighter colours.

I would strongly suggest keeping the car in it's original configuration. The combination is very beautiful and was very popular in the States.

This car is a masterpiece and why change the original configuration. The scheme is beautiful.

Kind regards to our friends in the UK

BPK

Dear Andrew and All,

In addition to my previous comments, do you remember "Goldfinger" which film aired in 1964?

It was the fashion then, and should be retained now.

Resist the urge and keep the car original!

Opalescent Desert Sand was not really gold. Very beautiful and subtle shade. I wouldn't hesitate to acquire such a car myself, if I were still in the market!

BPK in the States

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to respond. I still want a dark blue car with red leather but I think I'll just have to make that the next project...

adebnam wrote:Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to respond. I still want a dark blue car with red leather but I think I'll just have to make that the next project...

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, my father owned a 1965 OGS/red and it was beautiful.

I was lucky to find the car that had my favourite colour combo of Gunmetal/Red. Then CMC completely upset my apple cart by displaying chassis no 15 at the London Classic last year, the 1961 Scottish motor show car in Pearl Grey/light blue interior.

Never knew such a combo existed, definitely ticks the 'unusual' with such a pleasing effect and was not at all a popular choice then and probably not now!

With my car due for a full restoration It would tick all the boxes (with originality being the exception) have contemplated changing to this scheme but only for a minute or two - whatever one thinks originality has a very strong pull ideologically and if selling.

Pearl/Light blue will just have to wait - another car, another day...

Andrew,

Not my favorite color.

Personal opinion is that E's look best in dark colors, interiors in light color.

Mine was originally dark blue, which I don't mind so I will paint it that, otherwise I would have changed it to black. "Black isn't a color, it's a career.." But it's not a daily drive so...

Andrew,

My 63 FHC body is going off on Monday for work and then paint in its original OGS and will be retrimmed in light tan as original. It is a stunning colour and as previously noted, it's not a 'gold' gold, more a silvery gold - think sun-drenched tropical beach sand. But, as also noted in other responses - it's your car so go with want you feel happiest with. If you are in any doubt, take a look at this...

I had a Mk2 in Golden Sand with tan interior.

Looked great IMHO and received many compliments.

Personally I would stay with the original body colour but a red interior may be hard to resist !

Hi,
I searched high and low when looking to by my S1 FHC. I had previously owned a red S1 2+2 and this seemed to be by far and away the most common colour for E Types whenever I attended car shows etc. My choice this time was Opalescent Golden Sand and it hasn't disappointed and certainly receives many compliments when lined up with other E's. Mine is a 61 and was originally Bronze with Beige trim but when it was restored in the 90's was changed to OSG. The Beige trim remains and compliments the paint colour very well. It seems to be quite rare here in Australia and is usually the only OSG car when attending rally's etc.
I hope you choose to keep your car in its original colour scheme, Andrew, and am sure you would be delighted with it.

Hi All,

I'm not sure if anyone is still paying attention to this post but in case you are, I thought I'd send an update. I decided to take your advice and keep the car in her original spec. She has just come out of the paint shop resplendent in a new coat of OGS. Hopefully you can all see the photo I've attached.

Next question... what's the best concourse competition to enter her in when she's complete hopefully in a few months' time?

Don't bother with concours, just drive the car! They're for enjoying not to be a trailer queen.

You’ll get plenty of lovely comments and spread much happiness as you drive along
Robbie