Purchasing an E - advice?

Talk about E-Types here

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Bruce
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#1 Purchasing an E - advice?

Post by Bruce » Fri Jun 07, 2019 6:55 pm

Hello All,

As the title suggests, I am in the process of getting myself an E type. This is a car I have wanted all of my life, and as I've turned 50, I think that now (or soon!) is the time to pull the trigger. I've done my homework as best I can, have read the "Essential Buyer's Guides" by Peter Crespin until they are dog-earred and have decided that the car I want (based on what I like, but, more importantly, my budget!) is a series 2 fixed head coupe, or possibly a series 3 convertible, and either must be manual.

I'm sharing this because of the challenges I am having in this regard. I wonder if any of you have been through the same thing, and how you navigated it...

Challenges;

Escrow scams. I've come across 4 of these so far in my search but have not been caught out. A pain though, as they do tend to get on'e hopes up.

Cost. The Canadian dollar has taken a continual beating in the past 7 years, having sunk from parity with the US$ to about 75¢ today. What this means is that most Canadians are pricing their cars in US$ and selling them south of the border. Not surprising, but putting a 25% surcharge on this purchase due to currency is a big ask for your humble narrator.

Viewing. As far as I can see, there are generally around 15-odd of the car I'm looking for being advertised in North America at a price I can afford... but many of the cars that I can "best afford" are in California, Texas or Florida (I reside in Toronto) - an extra cost if I wish to see them and an earnest of my interest to the sellers if I show up. I've tried to look further afield but Europe and South Africa are, if anything, more expensive and Australia is a bloody long way away...

Assessment. In spite of my interest in these cars I am not confident in my ability to accurately assess a car, especially when my eyes are clouded with the almost painful want of one. :lol:

Horror Stories. Almost every second person I talk to about this purchase has a "knowing" comment about some poor sap who spent a bomb and got a car that was cunningly disguised as a beautiful, solid car where it was really pile of rust swept into the approximate shape of an E type. Almost all of these stories are likely apocryphal, but are worrisome nonetheless. (I suppose this goes back to "assessment").

Running Costs. I currently have a classic (a 1976 Alfa Spider - see my blog on searching for this car here: https://kickingvintagetyres.wordpress.com/page/4/ ) and it's running costs are relatively modest. Insurance is cheap, I've found a great Alfa guy whose prices are competitive and I likely spend less than about $750 cdn a year on service and insurance (once all it's issues were sorted). When I talk to "knowing types" about E's they mumble about "money pits" and "hope your loaded" and the like. True? Or not? Depends, I suppose is the obvious answer...

Things I've looked into:

Clubs - there is a Jaguar ownership association here in Toronto (well, Ontario) but what I have seen is that most of the cars are more current, and pictures from shows suggest only 1 or 2 E types.

Shows: I go to British Car Day in Oakville every year and stand around the E Types trying to cultivate an earnest look that says "deserving, yearning, but not all that flush"... ;-)

Auctions; there's a spring and fall classic car auction here in Toronto, but E Types are few and far between. I do keep an eye on BaT (Bring a Trailer) but it is an American site and thus my flaccid dollar is an anchor...


Apologies for such a long and tedious first post. I am, however, interested in anything you can impart from your own personal journeys that might help me in my own.

Thanks all - cheers - Bruce
Bruce

No E-Type - still looking!

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Mark Gordon
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#2 Re: Purchasing an E - advice?

Post by Mark Gordon » Fri Jun 07, 2019 7:02 pm

Welcome to the forum, Bruce and good luck in your finding your dream car! It looks like you've done your homework and are aware of the pitfalls. My suggestion to you is that you join Jag-Lovers forum and if you have a car that you're interested in somewhere in the states (or Canada for that matter) ask if someone near the car of your interest would be willing to assess it for you before you undertake the expense of a long plane flight. There are usually several forum members that are more than happy to take a look at another Jag. And before you part with any cash, I would certainly make the trip yourself with Mr. Crespin's book firmly in hand and a local expert along if at all possible.
Mark

67 OTS 1E14988, 2015 Camry XSE

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mgcjag
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#3 Re: Purchasing an E - advice?

Post by mgcjag » Fri Jun 07, 2019 7:12 pm

Hi Bruce...welcom to the forum....look at as many E types as you can befor you actually purchase...are there any restoration shops near you that you could visit...get friendly with so they will let you look around...they may even know of cars potentially for sale.....Running costs etc....no more expensive than other British classics..an MGB for example....nowhere near as expensive as old Mercs :bigrin: ......Scams.....your fully aware so dont buy anything you havent actually seen.....Jag lovers as mentioned above should be ideal for you....all the best...Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

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cactusman
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#4 Re: Purchasing an E - advice?

Post by cactusman » Fri Jun 07, 2019 8:29 pm

Welcome. There is little I can add to the above. Just be wary and if it does not feel right then it probably isn't right.....paperwork and title must be blemish and doubt free before parting with cash.... :bigrin:
Julian the E-type man
1962 FHC
1966 MGB....fab little car too

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Gerry
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#5 Re: Purchasing an E - advice?

Post by Gerry » Fri Jun 07, 2019 10:06 pm

Hi Bruce,I live in the GTA, if you need any help or advice contact me.
Regards Gerry 62 Ots.

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Bruce
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#6 Re: Purchasing an E - advice?

Post by Bruce » Fri Jun 07, 2019 11:39 pm

Thanks very much guys - appreciated!

I'll definitely take a look at the Jag-Lovers forum and see what's what.

I'll likely be in touch with you Gerry to see if I can pick your brains. :bigrin:

Thanks again - cheers - B
Bruce

No E-Type - still looking!

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chrisfell
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#7 Re: Purchasing an E - advice?

Post by chrisfell » Sat Jun 08, 2019 4:51 am

If you have a budget that precludes considering much of the E-Type market, then you could be looking for a 2+2. These are the best value Es by a long way. All the E-Type experience, half the purchase price. I came into E-Type ownership 16 years ago, with a budget, and bought my S1 2+2 from a retailer specialising in the ...er... non-concours end of the market. After I’d got all the value I was going to get out of the warranty they gave me, I settled down to a period of three or four years of sorting out PO problems, all the while driving the car around UK and Europe. I’d been at the roadside with a broken car three times during those early years (alternator, fuel pump, rotor arm) but since then I’ve mostly had stress free ownership. Sure things wear out, and some break, but it is a 52 year old car.

Costs. Like you I’ve kept a log. I’ve spent just north of £14,000 in 16 years on all servicing maintenance and repairs, including tyres oil etc. That includes a £2,000 respray. In those 16 years I’ve driven the car over 60,000 miles.

And today the car is worth three times what I paid for it.
Chris '67 S1 2+2

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Robbiee
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#8 Re: Purchasing an E - advice?

Post by Robbiee » Sat Jun 08, 2019 8:19 am

Hi Bruce
Knowledge is power ...research a lot so you know what to ask about
Bodywork is the key..it’s the most expensive bit by far.
If you get that bit right then the rest is manageable in a stepwise fashion.
If you find a car that looks good then check out which body shop worked on it and ask about their reputation.
The 2+2 idea is great especially for anyone over 5’10”...you get a beautiful piece of engineering which is a joy to drive but at a lower cost. You can then afford more to work on the visible mechanical bits which are surprisingly easy to do for a non engineering trained fellow.
Good luck
Robbie
Robbie 1962 3.8 Coupe OSG 1962 OTS ODG

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Nawang61
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#9 Re: Purchasing an E - advice?

Post by Nawang61 » Sat Jun 08, 2019 8:41 am

Hi Bruce,

In response to your recent post....very long shot ,I have in my collection a s2 Fhc LHD never had any panels replaced,and genuine numbers matching,which I was going to sell.
Probably no good as in the uk but possibly worth looking at,if only in pictures,or perhaps get forum member to check it out. They could possibly put an honest value on it too? Just a thought but no problem if not,and best of luck with your search.
All the best,

Ps I don't want to break any forum rules though, so should I first advertise it in the correct section??
Llllllllll

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Moeregaard
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#10 Re: Purchasing an E - advice?

Post by Moeregaard » Sat Jun 08, 2019 4:47 pm

Bodywork condition and bodged restorations are major considerations. Mechanical bits are readily available, reasonably priced and of a known quantity. Rectifying a rotted bodyshell is a major expense, especially one that has been "repaired" with chicken wire, Bondo and a cheap paint job. Don't fall for the "California car" thing either, since quite a few E-Types spent their lives on the damp and salty northern coast, and will have significant tinworms in all the usual places.

Two books I highly recommend, in addition to Pete Crespin's excellent work, are Chris Rooke's "E-Type Jaguar DIY Restoration & Maintenance" and Thomas Haddock's "Jaguar E-Type Six Cylinder Originality Guide." Both are very well written and illustrated with loads of color photographs. Another book worth getting is a shop manual. Just learn as much as you can about E-types before buying one.

Best of luck and welcome to the forum.
Mark (Moe) Shipley
Former owner '66FHC, #1E32208
Former owner '65FHC, #1E30036

Planning on getting E-Type No. 3 as soon as possible....

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mgcjag
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#11 Re: Purchasing an E - advice?

Post by mgcjag » Sat Jun 08, 2019 4:51 pm

Hi Nawang......whats your name...please try to put it in the signature area....No cant see you have broken any rules...you havent advertised just replying to a fellow member......if you do decide to sell and put it in the Sale section then we do need you to give a price...Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

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MikeMilton
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#12 Re: Purchasing an E - advice?

Post by MikeMilton » Sun Jun 09, 2019 2:22 pm

Hi, Bruce

I'm not far from you (near Haliburton).

The OJOA definitely have people who can help you and members with older cars (like me, reach out if you like).

One thing that will help you wade through the advice is to get a clear idea in your head about your 'destination': If you are successful, what do you have, how do you use it, etc. Also, think about your journey to that destination: how long, how much of a project (id at all), etc. Finally, determine a way to compartmentalize advice: Will you be swayed by advice from people focussed on performance, purity (originality), drivability, thriftiness?

I'm fairly certain that there is no way forward to your goals that is thrifty. The trick is to spend money where it matters and where it improves the outcome that YOU want.

Best speed, m
Just an old guy living by a lake - with a 1969 E-Type FHC, and 1962 OTS
Image

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Bruce
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#13 Re: Purchasing an E - advice?

Post by Bruce » Sun Jun 09, 2019 4:55 pm

Hi All - Thanks again for all of your comments;

@chrisfell - Yes - I have thought of a 2+2 and and would still consider one should the right one appear...

@Nawang - a LHD Series 2? Sure - PM me - The fact your car isn't exactly "local" is a challenge - but - hey - stranger things have happened.. :-)

@Moeregard - Thanks for the book recommendations; it's always been a maxim of mine that one can never have too many books. Is the "Originality guide" the one that Jay Leno featured when talking about one of his E's? Why am I asking? I'll look into it.

@MikeMilton - Haliburton? (Well - Gooderham, right?) My Mom lives in Haliburton, in the Village. Perhaps I could drop you a line prior to the next time I visit? (Probably in August) such that I could pick your brain? Yes - I know there's no "cheap" way to get a car like this; my favourite quote with regard to this is "There's nothing more expensive than a cheap E type... " :-)

Thanks again, all - cheers - B
Bruce

No E-Type - still looking!

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Bruce
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#14 Re: Purchasing an E - advice?

Post by Bruce » Mon Jun 10, 2019 12:19 am

In response to my own question - I think that the book Leno was referring to was Clausager's "Factory-Original Jaguar E-Type".

My wife is going to be so excited when all of these books start to arrive by post...

:lol:
Bruce

No E-Type - still looking!

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nefematic
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#15 Re: Purchasing an E - advice?

Post by nefematic » Mon Jun 10, 2019 7:28 am

Bruce wrote:
Mon Jun 10, 2019 12:19 am
...My wife is going to be so excited when all of these books start to arrive by post... :lol:
Her level of excitement will be sustained once the book posts recede, because they’ll be replaced by the parcels with parts!
Martin Scherz
Late S2 1970 OTS US LHD

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