The 'E' Type Forum

I mentioned some while ago that I have sold my 2+2 and was searching for an OTS.

My preference was to source from the US since these seemed better value and hopefully, if I chose well rust free.
I spent some time searching adverts on Autozin, Bring a Trailer, Ebay, Hemmings etc. Some of the cars were to good to be true with immaculate condition and incredible low prices. Once I mentioned that I planned to visit and see the car then these sellers disappeared. How about a 6000 mile, 1 owner car for 14000 usd !

Finally I spotted a car in Southern California which looked to suit the bill. 2 owners, who new each other, 55k miles , desert climate etc. So following much email conversation with the seller and FaceTime chats off we went for a holiday in SoCal.

The seller was as cautious of scammers as I and it took some while to convince him that I was a genuine buyer.
I saw the car on Hemmings in late August and we went out in October with various reasons for the time delays.
On reaching the sellers house it was clear that this guy was straight and the car seemed good, just as described - a few paint issues to sort, RHD conversion etc.

After an extensive look the car seemed rust free and never painted.

The deal was done and now the car is on its way. I chose a shipping company local to me and opted to have the car in its own container. Shipping is a painful wait. The car was picked up on the 24th October and will arrive in the UK the 2nd week of December. Then customs clearance and collection. Hopefully I will have it home as my Christmas present!

I will try to post some pictures and post an update once it arrives.

This will be my 3rd etype, with a long history of these cars. I have had a FHC in which I courted my wife, a 2+2 when the kids were small and now an OTS as I approach full retirement.


Regards to all


Tim

Great story Tim......all the best with the delivery...what a great early Xmas present.....Steve

With around 60,000 of the 72,000 E-Types made, the US is always going to be a goood source of project or sorted cars. One day soon I may follow in precisely these footsteps.

Well done Tim, nice story and history that you have had with your cars. I am sure you will start getting more nervous in the next few days. A great present under the Christmas tree.
Good luck!

Tim, good news!
By the sounds of it and the bits you've been buying is it a driver you can enjoy then get the RHD conversion, triple SUs etc. done at your convenience?

Keep us posted and photos when you've got them to share.

Geoff

Hi Geoff and all thanks for the replies. It’s definitely a driver, went well on the test run.
As you say I’ve busied myself during the wait period seeking out and sorting bits and pieces.

It’s on strombergs at the moment but thanks to Ralph will be on SU,s at some stage. These have had a full rebuild . I’ve just about finished converting a set of Volvo 4 pot calipers so they can join the ever increasing cupboard of nice shiny new bits. My postman is wondering what is going on with parcels arriving on a regular basis.

Plan is to start work in earnest soon in the new year and get the conversion done. If all goes well it should be finished in time for early spring. My problem is that I tend to get shipwrights disease and keep finding bits to do !

I’m still seeking a steering rack if anyone has one, I’m holding off paying large sums to the usuals in hope of Santa bringing me one !

Well done Tim....although you'll be needing a bigger than usual tree to put it under

Here is a photo of the car taken at the sellers house. Sorry if it’s not very good, ist time of my posting a picture.

Tim

I imported a car from New Zealand (Mini not etype) and discovered in the last few days that there is a web site that monitors the ship during its journey. Then of course I could not stop observing the progress - quite interesting!

Merry Xmas!

Thanks for the info, I’ve tried tracking the ship but it seems erratic and gets lost for a day or two !

The journey time seems an excruciating wait, but I have the tidiest and cleanest garage in the street. Lots of new storage - well secondhand shelving from gumtree .

The ship is due in Southampton on the 13th , next week! Question is, will customs clear it and can I get it home before the Christmas break.

Tim

Tim

Car looks great. I went the USA OTS route, although mine was already here.

If you know the name of the vessel, go to marinetraffic.com and you can see it. We use it to track all of our shipments and it's very reliable.

John

Hi John,
Just had a look at that site. Vessel is the
MOL Empire, comes back as “vessel out of range”
Seems odd ?


Tim

MOL Empire

http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/det ... L%20EMPIRE

Hi Tim

Just checked it. It's off the coast near Jacksonville, North Carolina. Next stop Southampton on 13th.

John

Tim,

Are you sure that's the right link? All I got was this.....














Excuse my dark, inappropriate sense of humour. Wishing it a safe journey.

Simon

Simon

I love it

John

Now, now chaps, take it easy I’m nervous enough already........!


I’ve just spoken to the shipping company- it should be in its rightful home in my garage a week on Monday.

Tim

Tim, we expect to see photos of the car in your garage wrapped in Christmas paper with a large ribbon (colour, your choice).
No, not photos, but a video of you tearing at the wrapping paper.

I bet it'll make the excitement you felt as a child on Christmas morning rather restrained by comparison

Geoff

Hi Tim,
I live just outside Leighton Buzzard, if you need any information about converting to RHD, I have recently converted my S2 FHC to RHD so if you need any advice or have a look just PM me.
I bet you are itching to start.

Regards
Nigel