New Member seeking S3

[Colin Osborne]

Im a new member in the UK on the Norfolk Suffolk border looking for my first E-Type. Like most people I adore the looks of S1 and S2 cars but am really drawn to the more brutal V12 of the sadly much maligned S3. I would prefer a manual 2+2 RHD S3 and am quite happy to do any work on the car apart from bodywork so a project could be an option if anyone has one to sell. My intention is to have a nice original looking driver rather than a show queen.

Colin

[driver]

Hi rob Gill here,you will get plenty of good advise on this forum,whatever s3 you buy keep some funds back for the usual suprises ,ie dodgy fuel pump,charging system faulty, hot starting problems due to old ignition system.all of which can be cured with new replacements.
have had mine 2 years and in that time i have notice a gradual warming to s3 models.
All the best Rob Gill

[mgcjag]

Hi Colin...welcom to the forum.....good luck with the search.....take your time and look at as many as possible, bad ones and good ones...you then get to know what to look out for..... Steve

[malcolm]

Hi and welcome - and good luck with the search.

[Colin Osborne]

Thank you gents, I will keep you posted and no doubt have plenty of questions.

Colin

[Gravygraham]

Welcome aboard Colin. We’ve had our S3 three years and she was an MOT’d runner when we bought her. I’m not a particularly spanner and socket oriented man (more woodwork) and am lucky to have a ‘man that can’ with a commercial classic garage not far away.
Enjoy the shopping experience - and try to resist buying the first one you test drive (unlike me!)

[Gfhug]

Colin, welcome to the forum. It might be an idea to post on the for sale/wanted section your desire for an S3.
Strangely not everyone looks at each section and maybe it'll just broaden the scope of who sees it.

Rust is the big enemy of all E Types and it'll be wise to get an old hand to look at cars with you. They may see things that your rose tinted specs may miss. You prefer a brutal V12, but have a look at S1s and S2s, they will all let you see what is out there. Auctions are for the experienced and knowledgeable, however if you see any E Types at auction it will again give you a flavour, just leave your cheque book at home

Good hunting

Geoff

[Colin Osborne]

Good advise Geoff, especially concerning the cheque book!

Colin

[V12 Epyte]

Up for auction at Barons on Tuesday

http://www.barons-auctions.com/auction_ ... 3&cid=2167

[Series1 Stu]

Lovely car. Unfortunately, Colin wants a manual gearbox.

Regards

[Colin Osborne]

Thank you, I have seen that car advertised. Very nice colour combination, its a bit early to give up on wanting a manual but some cars just call out to you.

Colin

[cactusman]

Welcome Plenty of wise words already. I would add...buy the best you can...

It is always cheaper to buy an expensive car than to buy a cheap car and turn it into an expensive car....there are three things to look for...rusty rust and rust...that costs ££££ to fix....the rest is peanuts....although a full rebuild of the fab V12 would be costly.....good luck and make sure to keep us posted

[Colin Osborne]

I think you have summed it up well Julian, thank you.

Colin

[V12 Epyte]

Another one for auction at Historics Ascot on Saturday

https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auct ... -53-litre/

[Colin Osborne]

Thanks V12 Epyte, I have seen this car advertised, it does look good.

Colin

[tim wood]

MOT history check makes mention of blue smoke and smoke on start up

Worth an investigation maybe?

[Colin Osborne]

Thanks Tim, Thats interesting. I take it you have managed to look at the documents available before the auction. I cant travel to look at anything at the moment, my wife has been too ill and now the snow is not helping. Its giving me more time to study the prices cars are selling for rather than the somewhat inflated prices many dealers seem to be asking.

Colin

[mgcjag]

Hi Colin...MOT history is available online you just enter the reg number https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk

[V12 Epyte]

The one at Baron's failed to sell, now on E Bay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1973-Jaguar- ... 3185974849

John

[morganjag]

Colin , somehow you need to know how much the car will cost to get into shape , you are probably not far from me , you are welcome to come over to have a look at my v12 .