New to the forum and looking (dreaming) of an E-Type

[WM86]

Hi Will . Just being nosey what is your skill set as far as restoration skills go ? Maybe just get one and slowly restore it . Remember ( the man maths part ) you won't loose out , and the most important equation!!!!!! You're only here once !!!
Go on you know it makes sence
Ps I would always reconmened a quality whisky before trawling Ebay

I have a classic Mini so spent some time learning basic stuff on that - oil,air,plugs,distributor and I've done some basic wiring with it - I installed a new dashboard with aux gauges wired in. I'm going to buy the book recommended above too.
I'd like to buy a restoration project but don't have a garage to store it in/work on it! I'm working hard on the maths part but need to convince my fair lady who would prefer a house rather than an E...

[adebnam]

Hi Will,

I'm half way through having my e-type fully restored so have recently had to consider all the issues you are now dealing with. Based on your budget, you will most likely have to buy a car in need of quite a lot of work. A professional restorer will quote for at least 1,000 hours or work for a full restoration. This is where the money is spent. Depending on what shop you use, the man hours alone will set you back £36k-£72k (assuming labour costs of between £30 and 60 plus vat per hour).

So what you need to decide, and it's an important decision to get right, is whether you are willing to do most of the work yourself? If so then go for it but expect the project to take up most of your speare time for the next few years!

I'm having all the work on this project done professionally. Based on my costs thus far and estimates for future work/parts, I hope to bring the project in at around £60k. This is for a nut and bolt restoration including engine out respray, engine rebuild, full retrim etc. I wouldn't be surprised if the figure creeps up to £70k and a handful of e-Type specialists will charge upwards of £120k depending on what spec you are after.

£70k Can be justified if you are working with a series I roadster which should fetch £120k+ when finished. The trouble is, as has been pointed out already on this forum, that the cost to restore a series II 2+2 is similar but the result significantly less valuable. Personally I couldn't bring myself to pour all that money into a project which doesn't stack up financially but not everone thinks this way.

Best of luck with whichever route you take,

Andrew

[Nickleback]

Hi Will,
This one has just come up in my regular searches, doesn't look to bad !
http://www.angliacarauctions.co.uk/en/c ... -lhd-auto/

[christopher storey]

That's quite a high estimate for a US spec car even in this day and age. To bring it up to anything like a proper European spec in RHD is going to cost another £7,500 or so even without any restoration work, and some is needed particularly on the interior. Also, the steel wheels and the auto transmission make this the least desirable of specifications and to alter those you are talking another £5,000 or so at a minimum . Thus the estimate is really the equivalent of the thick end of £40K for one with a decent specification

It may be instructive to look at the recent H&H sale results at Duxford to see what did not sell

[kie series 1 dh]

Hello there I'm new to the site and we are currently trying to finish my late father's series 1 flat floor drop head. I will need some help with part information as to get it as close to original as possible. Many thanks Kieron.

[mgcjag]

Hi...Kieron...welcom to the forum...lots of great info here and people willing to help.....get to know the knowledge base section...and in the Series 1 section the factory fit posts that detail all original fittings etc.....put you name and model in as a signature....stops members asking or you telling what you have...all the best..Steve....ps some of the forum members are meeting at Bicester in a couple of weeks...details in the meet and greet section

[politeperson]

This one looks good.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1969-E-TYPE-F ... SwpkFY7TCL

[WM86]

Dear all,

Many thanks for your replies. I am restricting myself to searches and enquiring where necessary to find out more about a car in my price range.

Without wishing to divide opinion, what are your views on importing a US car? I have found a couple of S1 FHC, one is 2+2 and the other is a 3.8 - both Beverly Hills CC. Has anyone bought/imported from them before?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Best,

Will

[Series1 Stu]

If it was my decision I would go for the 3.8 FHC and convert it to RHD. I don't see anything wrong with this.

It will cost about the same to restore either car so go for the one that gives you the best chance of adding value. That is, unless you specifically want the extra space and comfort the 2+2 affords.

Lots of people have imported cars from the USA but be careful, they're not all rust free. Mine came from Maryland and needed just about everything replacing.

There are lots of people with fixed views about what you should and shouldn't do with an E Type but it's your car to do whatever you want with. Buy one and enjoy everything about it.

Regards

[cactusman]

If you can get it past management then the S1 3.8 FHC every time so long as you don't need to ferry kids about too ...As others have said not all American cars are rust free desert types so keep eyes wide open.
The 3.8 will have the old Moss box...much criticized at the time, alloy dash, the early bucket seats and the Kelsey Hayes bellows brake booster. The 2+2 will have the later all synchro box, better seats and the Lockheed brake booster.....oh and a black centre dash. The lines, some say, are slightly compromised although barely in my opinion and they are just that bit roomier inside....important if you are approaching six feet tall.

Personally I like the seats and the Kelsey Hayes system works well. So long as it passes the rust test take the plunge.....

[WM86]

Many thanks both for your replies.

There is one thing that bothers me slightly about the 3.8 in that it may have had an accident at some point, and the picture frame has been replaced with a roadster's. The details are somewhat hazy and there is no history with the car apparently... although I'm waiting on confirmation as to whether it is a matching numbers car.

I will need to involve management at some point - I suspect she might prefer the 2+2 having seen a very nice one yesterday at our school's Speech Day!

Best,

Will

[mgcjag]

Hi Will....just be aware that restoring a 2+2 in tne same condition as a fhc will cost more....its a larger car with a lot more interior.....when you have finnished the 2+2 will probably be worth less than your total spend.....the fhc will probably be worth more than your total spend

[Heuer]

After 50+ years most E-Type's will have been involved in some sort of accident so it should be of little concern. The picture frame of the FHC is the same as the OTS so not sure what the issue is. The 3.8 will mean your investment will be protected because they will always be the most desirable.

[Michaelg]

Having restored a number of cars over the years from Minis to Maserati's, and after each having vowed never to do it again, there is only one piece of advice I can give you. It will cost twice as much and take twice as long as your most pessimistic estimate!

[Nickleback]

Yes I have bought a car indirectly from Beverly Hills CC & yes mine was a good one but I had a very good second opinion.
They do have some good cars and some really bad ones, they know their stuff, so generally speaking the more car costs from them the better it is but that is no guarantee, so get the car inspected by a second opinion on site to get a good one before parting with any money.
The forum has contacts in America who may be able to help you with this.
I would go for the 3.8 S1 coupe as it would always be worth more money in the end
Good luck

[mark10337]

I considered 2 cars from Beverly Hills Car Club. I had them both inspected and got a report - glad I did. I left them in the end. They do have good ones also, but as mentioned, the cheaper ones are usually cheap for a reason.

It's interesting people talking about values of cars after restoration costs etc., whereas in other threads it is mentioned that we are fed up of over inflated prices preventing people entering the world of ownership. It is a double edged sword really.

If you are wanting to drive it regularly and enjoy it thoroughly, get the one that is right for your needs. Otherwise look at the one that will bring you the highest return. The two criteria do not always result in the same car.

[Series1 Stu]

Yep. Any E Type is a great car. After that it's down to personal preference and budget.

I was fortunate to get my preference before prices went silly.

Regards

[WM86]

Dear all,

Many thanks for your replies and advice regarding the 2+2 and the value of getting them inspected. I certainly do not wish to buy unseen over the internet - are there any particular people you recommend for inspections on site? Mark - many thanks for sharing your experience in this regard.

Still waiting as to whether it is a matching numbers car...

Many thanks to all,

Will

[mark10337]

I used www.classicautoappraiser.com - they had a few difficulties accessing the car i.e. Beverly Hills CC were quite busy at the time, but knew they were coming. There was some waiting around experienced by the appraiser waiting for the lift etc.

As regards the report, I would have liked more detail to it, but it did contain enough to make a decision.
PM sent.

[WM86]

The car is non-matching numbers and no service history. I'm more interested in driving it rather than as an investment, but does non-matching numbers have a big impact on value?

Best wishes,

Will