Help before buying S1 2+2

[Lual]

Hi
I need please some advice on a S1 2+2 I have been looking to purchase, as despite I love these cars, this would be my first purchase and my mechanical know how is minimal.

Car was originally sold in US.
Then reimported in UK, and converted in a RHD.
Originally automatic box, changed “some 30 years ago” to a manual according to current owner, who seems to have other very nice cars in his garage.
I have seen several pictures of restoration process. Car looks in quite pristine condition and is fresh from the mandatory technical inspection.
Cylinder head was replaced, so number is a different one/ not matching, but owner says keeps the old one with the matching number.
Car has two metal plates with the engine / chassis etc numbers. Not sure why. One in the usual place in the cara bit damaged, the other is not attached to the car and shows the car was originally automatic.

Thanks for any view you can give me,
Lual
Attached some images

[mgcjag]

Hi Lual....Very difficult to give buying advice......check out all the paperwork....look for the car number on top of the front frame on right hand side....and check the car on http://www.xkedata.com/ we can help a bit more if you actually post the numbers for us to look up.....and dont forget rust.....look everywhere...good luck..Steve

[MarkRado]

Hi Lual,
mechanical advice is indeed difficult without seeing and driving the car. Bodywork/ paint is by far the most expensive single expenditure, and rot may be hdden under new paint. Otherwise an Etype is a surprisingly good car even by todays standards and should drive accordingly- great engine with lots of power, comfortable suspension and handling, good brakes (yes! when in A1 condition) . Just take it for a spin and see how it drives and sounds, and then report back!
Good luck and welcome to the club!

[Lual]

Thank you very much for the anwers.

Would these matters of gearbox replaced (original automatic by a manual) and the new cilynder cover head, (making these changes a non matching number car), be a show stopper for a normal buyer?
If I have to ever sell the car, I would prefere these are not a „no go“ for the majority of potential buyers.

[mgcjag]

Hi Lual......In my opinion matching numbers is only really important in the top end cars.......LH to RHD...auto to manual and head swaps are not uncommon in many E types and are still very desirable......there are many on this forum with such cars.....Steve

[Herblay]

Hi Lual. If this car is in Madrid, I think I know both the unit and the current owner. Send me a pm

[Lual]

I just found some interesting background info.
The car has an S2 engine what I guess is not good news and explains why the owner told me that he had changs the cilynder cover head.
Sorry for the quality of the picture

[rswaffie]

Hi,
It’s on XKEData

http://www.xkedata.com/cars/detail/?car=1E75230

[mgcjag]

Hi Lual.....having a S2 engine still does not make this a deal breaker.....there are many E types that dont have their original engine....some have xj6 or 420 units for example.....I would check that the registration documents V5 if a UK car has the correct engine number on it.....you should actually check the number thats on the engine..dont just rely on whats on the data plate....and confirm yourself that its a E type engine so you know what your actually looking at.....Steve

[ralphr1780]

Hi Lual,
If you live in Spain and intend to drive the car in Spain, then why would you look at a RHD?
This unless I missed some point.
There are plenty of LHD ones available...

[Robbiee]

Hi
I see it was rebuilt by Lanes
Interesting company
Just saying

[Heuer]

[Lual]

Hi Lual,
If you live in Spain and intend to drive the car in Spain, then why would you look at a RHD?
This unless I missed some point.
There are plenty of LHD ones available...

Thanks,
Well, there are not so many S 1, in good shape ready to enjoy, 2+2 given my size. But is true I may be missing some websites. In general, most of the Spanish offers I have seen are S2 or S3.
Plus the RHD adds a bit of more Brit ... nevertheless, seriously speaking, at same goodshape, I would still take a LHD.

[Lual]

Hi Lual.....having a S2 engine still does not make this a deal breaker.....there are many E types that dont have their original engine....some have xj6 or 420 units for example.....I would check that the registration documents V5 if a UK car has the correct engine number on it.....you should actually check the number thats on the engine..dont just rely on whats on the data plate....and confirm yourself that its a E type engine so you know what your actually looking at.....Steve

Thank you for this and other people contribution. I will keep checking this car plus other options I may find. First purchase is never an easy step to take, but any advice is more than welcome!!
Lual

[MarkRado]

After 7000 miles, the car will have been sorted and major problems will have shown, I guess. I cant comment on market price of a 2+2 or the quality of Lanes restoration (maybe other forum members can), but if you want a right hand drive 2+2 and dont mind some non originalities, then this package does not look bad.

[cactusman]

As others have said....look for rust....in the UK it is worth doing an HPI check to see if it has outstanding finance against it etc.....if the car is in Spain maybe there is something similar...if it is your first e type try and get someone who has one already to have a look....they won't be looking through rose tinted glasses

[Robbiee]

All good suggestions
It’s very important to know the history and quality of the garage that originally restored the car too.
The forum has lists of quality people/garages that we all know are excellent ...we don’t tend (to avoid libel etc and because we are a kind bunch of people) to mention the names of the more “interesting restorers/car salesmen”....just for information
Robbie

[ralphr1780]

Lual, here is one a little north, which looks interesting.
http://www.pauls-classic-cars.fr/car/ja ... pe-e-22-0/
No affiliation or interest or whtasoever, just happen to know that this garage has a good réputation.
Good luck in your search.

[Lual]

Thanks Ralph, nice car