Feb 63 build with no Aluminum Dash

[MikeE]

I've seen a Feb 63 UK delivered OTS that I like the look of but it has black dash and center console. Should th4y both be aluminium on this build month?

[Gfhug]

Changes seem to be from July 63, however: would it be a deal breaker if you like the rest of the car? Are you after concours or a car to enjoy driving?

Geoff

[MikeE]

No not a deal breaker at all, I would rather have the aluminium and if that is indeed the correct spec then I'd just change it back to aluminium at a later date.

I've only just joined so I'm finding my feet on the forum, is there anywhere I can post a link to the advert and ask if people know the car?

[rswaffie]

Hi
In terms of posting a link to the car, you should be able to cut and paste it into the post.
The alloy dash & console should be cross hatch for this age of car, which you can’t get new. You would have to go for the polka dot if you want new.

[ysmalkie]

James Lawrance does them.
At least he used to:

His phone used to be: 01590 683 288

Tadek

[ysmalkie]

delete the hyphen and the link should work:

https://www.face-book.com/photo/?fbid=1 ... 7347486056

[MikeE]

Hi
In terms of posting a link to the car, you should be able to cut and paste it into the post.
The alloy dash & console should be cross hatch for this age of car, which you can’t get new. You would have to go for the polka dot if you want new.

Ah yes ok a 63 dash is different to a 61/62 polka dot dash. Did the 63 dash also gain an arm rest while still retaining the alloy centre console too?

[MikeE]

Here’s the car in question, can anyone advise on its condition and price (other than the ride height is ridiculous high!)

http://www.autostorico.co.uk/cars-for-s ... i-roadster

[DWW]

Have you seen the car in person or indeed test drove it? The ride height does seem to be on the high side for what ever reason. Also take into account that photos sometimes seem to make cars look better than in reality.
The passenger inner seal has some damage and the covering shows white staining, perhaps water ingress?
The manifolds are not original but that could be a good thing, it may have a sports exhaust too.

On Google search for images of 1963 OTS interior it shows most came with the alloy center console and no arm rest but one or two are like that one and do come with arm rest, regretfully the manufacture month or chassis number are not stated on them. It is quite possible that on restoration the previous owner wasn't happy with the state of the alloy parts or wanted to have an arm rest and decided to go with the present option or simply Jaguar ran out of parts that month......

As far as price is concerned it is a difficult one, as it isn't a current restoration my gut feeling, and I don't know whether my fellow owners here would agree, is that the asking price is too high as the car may require some attention to bring it up to standard, all that subject to viewing and having a proper test drive.

[Allrand]

Here's an interesting quststion: did the non arm rest cars have the captive nut fittings in the door frame for arm rests? A check behind the door cards should reveal this.

[MarkRado]

Quite a lot of other details obviously not correct, maybe nothing serious, but probably not worth the money in this condition.

[rswaffie]

When you ask about the ‘arm rest’, are you referring to the items fitted to the doors, or the padded box in between the seats? My Nov 63 had the door rests, the centre padded box but the alloy trim beneath the leather covering!
I have also seen late 63, early 64 cars with the alloy trim and a leather centre box but no door arm rests. As the Americans say, ‘go figure’.

[MikeE]

No I haven’t seen the car yet I’m just trying to get a feel for what sort of 3.8 OTS or FHC £120k will buy me

The other one is the 64 black and red original IK spec OTS E-type UK have on at £110k. Again just going on the photos you can see corrosion breakthrough in the rear arches!

[MikeE]

I was referring to the centre console arm rests ‘box’

[MikeE]

Can anyone point me at a 3.8 that the think is a good buy for £120K-ish to give me a yardstick?

[Gfhug]

Mike, must it be a 3.8 and an OTS?
We have a well respected restorer on here Angus Moss (1954Etype) https://mossjaguar.com/index.html
You could do a lot worse than speak to him for advice or to ask if he would inspect the car for you. Don't just pick his brains for nothing, but he may know of a car that could fit your bill, not necessarily shown on his website.
Get out and look at more than this car and test drive a few before settling on what would suit your budget.

Geoff

[MikeE]

Yes it would definitely have to be a 3.8 but open to both a FHC and some upgrades (5 speed, better brakes, electronic ignition, better cooling etc).

I have so many questions to ask about buying a restored car verses restoring what I can (mechanical and trim) and getting someone like Moss to do the bodywork. Is this a financially viable approach with a £125k budget etc

[Gfhug]

Mike, I question why it must be a 3.8 if you then plan to fit a five speed box. As to what budget you need to get the car you want, I'd talk to Angus.
A 3.8 with the original Moss gearbox will be more expensive than one converted to five speed. Have you driven enough E Types to say why it must be the extra expense and work involved in fitting a five box? High speed cruising in an OTS is windy and noisy and even at 70-80 mph the gearing of a standard box is more than up to the job.
A 4.2 has better brakes, fitting a more modern radiator fan isn't too involved to improve cooling, a 123 tune ignition is easily fitted. All these much more simply done than a five box on a 3.8.

I hope my thoughts may help, others will have their own. It's your budget, often we are told get the best car you can for the price, not just the model you think you want. The biggest restoration cost is bodywork, rust, rust and rust in that order.

Good hunting

Geoff

[rswaffie]

Mike,
£125k is a healthy budget but as you are finding out from looking around, that may get you an older restoration that could need some body/paint/mechanical work to get it to where you want it. You could look at something that is a restoration project at around the £40k mark and if you can do most of the donkey work yourself, (stripping it all down & reassembly) and get the pros to do the skilled stuff, you may be able to get a restored car within budget. It depends on your capabilities and you would be taking a chance. Similarly, you could chance your arm at an auction - prices will be lower there than retail?

[Mich7920]

Hy,

On XKE DATA # 850657 with more details

Mich