The 'E' Type Forum

Hi,
My name is Simon and I am the proud owner of a Series III 2+2. The car has been off the road for around 10 years or more, I bought it partially dismantled about 4 1/2 years ago, at least, I bought half of the car, my lovely wife bought the other half as a 40th birthday present. I was however, only 38 at the time so I had to wait two years to get started!

I am buzzing today because yesterday I fitted the bonnet for the very first time and sudenly there is an E-Type in the Garage. OK, so no suspension, mechanics, interior or electrics, oh, no brakes or steering either - otherwise ready to go!

Actually things are better than they sound because the engine is ready to have all ancillaries fitted, 5-Speed Getrag box is in a similar state, brakes are rebuilt as is the rear suspension. The Front suspension is restored and just awaiting fitting and the interior is all just about done too. I still have to finish paint prep (the underside is done), paint and then assemble the car, then get some specialist work like the sunroof completed.

The bonnet was secondhand - there was not one supplied with the car, so yesterday was a big weight off my mind as I have heard so many people warn against using second hand bonnets. However, mine fits OK and although there is still fettling and adjustment required, I can now see that it will fit well. Perhaps the fact that I took measurements before fitting the sills, checking against wing lower edge length was a factor in that.

I have photos and a write up of most of the work so far, but I can't see how to put any photos on this forum - is it possible? If so I'll try to include some pictures in future.

The job is being done on a fairly tight budget, with almost all the work done by yours truly, so the car will not be a concours competitor, but should be presentable.

I hope this site gets off the ground, so good luck Harry and all others out there and one day I will hopefully see you all from the wheel of my own E-Type!

Thanks for reading!

Simon

hello Simon,

welcome, and congratulations for your V12 restoration !
what year is it ? (mine is from 1972 and came out factory in October).
I trust seeing the bonnet on your E gave you a big emotion.
Glad for you its is fitting well !
When do you think your car will be on the road? hopefully in 2008 so you can enjoy it :D

best regards

Hi Phil,

Thanks for your kind comments. The car is from 1971, though I still have not sent off for a heritage certificate - there always seems to be something else to spend the money on! I do know that the car is a pretty early one, from the chassis number - 1S50097BW, it appears that the car is the 97th RHD 2+2. If you are interested, there are a few photos on XKE Data, just type the chassis number in to the gallery search and there are pictures of the way the car was when I started and also one showing the car as it is today, posted last night, provided that they have been approved and uploaded by the moderators. Unfortunately, although I listed the car as being original when I started, as it had never been restored, I have now got to amend that. The engine had been left out for ages and was so corroded I had to scrap it and I also wanted to convert to manual, so it is no longer very original! I believe the differential is original, but with a replacement bonnet, boot (trunk) floor, door skins, rear panels and sills, the car is now very definitely a restoration project so I did not mind the thought of changing the colour, from red to a metallic maroon.

As to a completion date, well I am always careful about saying anything, but of late I believe I am now seeing light at the end of the tunnel - I just hope it's not someone with a torch bringing me more problems to solve! I would love to finish in 2008, but with the English winter weather I doubt I will be able to continue painting for some months, so if I do finish next year it will be toward the latter end of the year. Still that gives me some time to save some money toward the inevitable expenses that always occur at the end of a restoration!

Is your car a 2+2 or an Open Top and have you done much work on the car yourself?

Thanks,

Simon.

Hi Simon

Thanks for taking the time to introduce yourself and of course your E-type.

I trust you will find the forum helpfull and informative, the more people that use it the better it becomes.

Thanks again and happy restoring.

Harry

hello Simon,


thanks for your reply. I saw you car on xkedata : nice fitting of your bonnet and very nive progress indeed ! He you have an open roof, good for the summer :D

My car is also on xkedata (1S73843BW) and as I mentionned in my other introduction posting, came from Canada. I did some basic work, not having equipment ansdskills to do major work myself. Car still has original engine, automatic gearbox, etc... and some original markings (tags, etc...) but has got new rear wheel arches, sills and some bonnet work + year on year, regular work done (brakes, UJ joints, rear shocks, exhaust etc...).I enjoyed driving the car since the first year (was out for 13 months for body work) and this year drove on the circuits of Chimay, Reims and Spa-Francorchamps (no racing ).
Oh yes, I also changed color from sable to dark blue.

keep up the great work , you are coming closer and closer to the first drive.

best regards