dutch e-type newbie looking for his first

[ralphdebie]

HI Everyone here. Wonderful to read up and get excited over all your knowledge shared here.
I've always had a saab 900 convertible Full pressure Turbo as my sensible... good fun and minimal pain car and that worked for a long time however there was always this one girl able to get between us.. yes you guessed correctly the E-type. Now to not completely let love take over all sane parts of my brain, the choice for what exact type of E has been narrowed down to a

series 1,5 2+2 manual. pref LHD , pref blue, gunmetal, green or silver, pref 3 carb.


so let the search begin.

not easy with a budget on the lower end of the scales but all is possible.
I have a garage and some people around me that know how to handle a spanner so not afraid of a little work or to give it love and attention.

Anyone who can help in finding a loved gem that is looking for a new warm and cosy home. let me know. in the meantime i will be here educating myself further on how to stay away from the cat's claws whilst making sure it purrs with pleasure.

Ralph

[mgcjag]

Hi Ralph. ..welcom to the forum...im sure you will find it a great help....post an ad in our wanted section....Steve

[christopher storey]

Just a small point.... have you considered an S 2 2+2 ? These have the considerable advantage that the screen extends much further forwards than with the earlier 2+2, which makes the car look much better both from the side and front viewpoints . The S2 is also probably the most useable of all the cars. ( I have both an S1 FHC and an S2 OTS so I have no axe to grind ! )

[malcolm]

Just what I was going to say. Don't get hung up on series 1 or 1 1/2. S2 is a great car.

[Ian Cooke]

There's a reasonable looking Series 2 2+2 currently available on The Market on line auction site.

[ralphdebie]

thx for the advice! i understand the series 2 has a nicer front/side view indeed but the rear is where it does loose a lot to be honest. is it that much more user-friendly ? it does broaden up the possibilities that is for sure. there is also a very pretty series 3 for sale here in NL but everyone i know tells me don't go for the 12 cil it is too complicated.

[malcolm]

Don't think the rear of the series 2 2+2 is any different to the 1 1/2 2+2 - if it is, it's small cosmetics you can change.

[mgcjag]

S1.5.........S1 Rear end.....S1 sidelights front/rear.....open headlamps. ..plus.........

[ralphdebie]

the taillights are positioned below the bumper and bulky compared to the series 1.5 sleek above the bumper well formed sleek ones from what i have seen that is a huge difference. can that be modified then on a series 2 ? i have not seen that at all?

[malcolm]

No, I doubt the rear lights could be changed. Didn't realise you were referring to that.

[mgcjag]

Its not just the rear lights the 1.5 has a very different rear recessed numberplate area as per the S1

[mgcjag]

The S3 is a very different but only from whats under the bonnet. ...much more difficult to work on but not impossible there are many diy members here that have them.......Just think about how much work you want to take on...invariably buying a cheaper car will work out more expensive than if you paid out more on a better car initially......so my advice would be to dig a bit deeper into your wallet ......Steve

[christopher storey]

I tried to post this earlier but somehow it disappeared. The rear end appearance of the S2 is greatly improved by substituting the S1 tipe tail pipes for the S2 " ram's horns". Also there are good safety reasons for the much larger rear, brake and indicator lights . However, another consideration if you are thinking of importing a US specification car is that an S2 will have Strombergs and a 3.54 final drive , whereas you might be luckier with a US S 1.5

[ralphdebie]

yes clearly paying more can result in a better car indeed. and it is true I want a good starting point indeed with as little troubles as possible. however sensibility and love are generally hard to combine ;-) Maybe i will come to love the rear of the series 2 in time. let's see. having spoken to some specialists with regards to a good series 1.5 2+2 they reckon it can be done for 35k and anything close to 50k Our has to be in real real near perfect condition. Obviously travel restrictions don't make it fair judging a car from a few pics and some video. only close inspection by a true knowledgable person can reveal what you buy i think. Does anyone have experience with just buying your car from an internet advert? and shipping it overseas? it seems like a huge risk if the rewards are only slim in price difference.

[H7OB]

Hello Ralph,

Well you clearly have impeccable taste and know what you want so best of luck in your search!!

Id love to be able to help you but mine is very much a keeper! Not to mention the fact that my wife and two boys would finish me off if I even considered otherwise!

I very much wanted a S1 or S1.5 based on my own preferences and it had to be a 2+2 for the kids. One thing we will all agree on is dont rush, buy carefully and buy the best one you can find. Youll probably know when you see it. In the meantime, enjoy the benefits of a mass of first hand knowledge and friendly help that this great forum offers.

Enjoy the research and best of luck with the search. Be it S1, S2 or S3 There really is nothing quite like an E Type! Everyones life is vastly enhanced by owning one!

[christopher storey]

Ralph

Under no circumstances would I advise buying off the internet without either seeing the car yourself, or getting someone reliable to look at it, and its paperwork , thoroughly. There are far too many crooks around putting fake and/or non-existent cars ( or parts thereof - we had an E type engine like that only last week ) on e bay or similar . Your best bet would probably be to commission a UK trader to buy one for you, and if you are interested in this I can recommend a name to you, from whom I have bought a number of cars myself - PM ( Private Message ) me if interested

[ralphdebie]

THX Chris, Please PM indeed. and if anyone knows good traders on mainland Europe that would be very interesting also as the Brexit is costing 9% import tax from the UK now..