New Member in West Sussex

Ditherer · Post by **Ditherer** » Tue May 26, 2015 1:15 pm

Good afternoon all. A quick introduction from West Sussex. My name is Paul and I have just negotiated management approval for the purchase an E Type.

I'm a recently retired airline pilot (early, medical reasons and not really planned) with a pretty much life long love of the most beautiful car ever made.

For my fiftieth, a couple of years ago, my good lady arranged a surprise rental of a red 1964 3.8 fhc. By the standards of modern cars, it was awful, stank of petrol, steering was a bit like sailing, brakes were exciting, it was noisy and it popped and banged through the exhaust when pressing on. I was smitten with a mighty smite!

My last motoring indulgence cost a fortune and was a huge disappointment. A new V8 Vantage that spent three of the first eighteen months with the dealer having failures and quality issues addressed. In the end, out of sheer frustration we sold it back to them at a slightly enhanced price but it still left us feeling sore.

That was two months ago and I've now seen an opalescent dark blue 67 S1 fhc with a tan interior which looks from the pictures, if not pristine, then pretty slick. It's for sale with a dealer in Germany, having been imported from the US. Price is about ?57,000 at today's exchange rate.

Having recently had my fingers burnt, I'm a little cautious, not least because we don't have a garage - although we're planning to build one this year. Currently getting my thoughts in order before calling to ask the dealer about the car. There are no pictures of the underside, under the bonnet looks a little rough compared to the shiny top side and it's LHD though this doesn't concern me too much.

What's the consensus view on the sort of 67 fhc that ?57,000 should buy? This one has covered lights and toggle switches if that helps.

Looking forward to learning and being the new boy.

Paul

neil4444 · Post by **neil4444** » Tue May 26, 2015 1:27 pm

Hi Paul,

Welcome to the forum. Where are you in West Sussex ? I'm down near Brighton.

It's always difficult to comment on cars without seeing them but a useful benchmark might be the RHD 67 FHC that Trevor just picked up here for circa ?70k...

viewtopic.php?t=7276&highlight=

Feel free to share link/photos with the forum and I'm sure you'll get some useful feedback.

Cheers,

Post by **Heuer** » Tue May 26, 2015 1:42 pm

Welcome to the Forum.

The E-Type is a very complex car and buying one can be fraught with difficulty, not to say future expense. If you have pictures of a potential purchase put them on the Forum and let a few experienced eyes offer some comment. You may be disheartened by what you hear but better that than left with a money pit. Next up would be an expert assessment of the car and for that you could ask Angus Moss, one of our Moderators: www.mossjaguar.com He may even be able to source a car for you.

You have already driven, by your account, a rather poor example of the E-Type. A well sorted example is a delight to drive with levels of refinement that will surprise you.

Ditherer · Post by **Ditherer** » Tue May 26, 2015 2:00 pm

I'm in Haywards Heath.

Here's the car

http://www.mo-vendi.de/index.php?articl ... 23&clang=1

It seems pretty good, perhaps even too good but the old contradictory sayings are ringing in my ears simultaneously. "If it looks to good to be true....." and "don't look a gift horse in the mouth".

What should I be asking the dealer? With regard to LHD, my wife is german so I might be inclined to leave it as is since we often travel abroad. In any case I don't think I'd change much until I'd got to know it.

The last car I imported from Germany was 17 years ago. Does anyone know if the procedures have changed?

Post by **Heuer** » Tue May 26, 2015 3:19 pm

Engine bay does not match the body and interior standards. Has the car been fully restored or just given a make over? You need to ask the vendor for more high definition photos of the engine bay, rear axle and underbody. Also get from him the car number/engine number and gearbox number. First concern is what on earth is this thing?

My guess is it has something to do with the speedometer - gearbox? It should not be there suggesting something has been bodged for some reason. Need more information.

Ditherer · Post by **Ditherer** » Tue May 26, 2015 4:39 pm

I think you're right judging by the location behind the dash but, could it be related to the heater system?

Whatever it is, it's non standard, which at forty eight years of age shouldn't be a surprise but it does raise questions about the restoration work which I think must have been performed at some point.

As you say, the engine bay condition doesn't match the shiny bits on the outside or the interior which looks to have new covers.

I think I'd like more information before I commit to a trip to Dusseldorf.

Post by **Heuer** » Tue May 26, 2015 4:47 pm

Not the heater - the air control is on the other side of the heater box and the heat control looks to be in place on the bulkhead. The light brown cable is from the speedometer drive on the gearbox. Probably had the diff changed from 3.54 to 3.07 or something which meant the speedo would not read correctly. Normally the speedo is sent away to be re-calibrated (easy job) but someone has gone for an over complicated high tech solution. Not a problem in itself provided the rest of the car is OK.

Minor details: The inlet plenum should be silver and it looks like the rubber inserts are missing from the luggage rails along with the hinge covers. The SU dashpot piston caps should be black not brass. Rust on the shock absorber top mounts. Wrong gear knob. The tyres are way too wide for an E-Type and are the wrong profile. Ideally you need 185's otherwise the steering will be heavy, it will tramline and the ground clearance will be reduced.

Ditherer · Post by **Ditherer** » Tue May 26, 2015 5:01 pm

Yes, there are a number of not quite standard bits and pieces but, unless they are indicative of a more significant list of faults, I could live with them at what to my eye seems like a reasonable price. My big question is, "am I judging the price properly"?

I've seen a number of rougher cars and 2+2s for the same or more money. Presumably, they were just trying it on. Any thoughts?

Post by **Heuer** » Tue May 26, 2015 5:11 pm

The exchange rate makes it good value but you need to take along someone who knows about E-Types - it would be money well spent. At the moment it looks to me as though the car has been repainted without removing the engine which could mean there are underlying problems. We have a number of German members here - maybe they can suggest someone who can viuew on your behalf?

Ditherer · Post by **Ditherer** » Tue May 26, 2015 5:19 pm

That seems prudent. How would I go about finding a German e type specialist in the Dusseldorf area?

Post by **Heuer** » Tue May 26, 2015 5:34 pm

You could start by looking here: https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=184509 Hover your mouse over the push pins and you will get owner details. They may be able to offer suggestions. You could PM Carsten (Durango2k) or Wolfgang (Woolfi) who are active members here and see if they can suggest someone.

Post by **mgcjag** » Tue May 26, 2015 5:57 pm

Hi Paul....dont be in too much of a rush...view as many Es as u can and learn something about them and there values...it will pay in the end...Steve

markc555 · Post by **markc555** » Tue May 26, 2015 6:07 pm

Heuer wrote:Probably had the diff changed from 3.54 to 3.07 or something which meant the speedo would not read correctly.

The speedo face says 1312 which is for the 3.54 diff so the car has probably had the diff changed to a lower ratio euro spec one (3.07) and the contraption is indeed a converter to ensure the speedo reads correctly. Looks like a nice car though and the strong ? makes the price look attractive. Interesting choice of door mirror position, not seen one fitted there before!
All the ex crew I know travel for almost nothing so the hour and a bit hop to D?sseldorf (excellent airport by the way) could be viewed as a nice day out come E Type reconnaissance mission :)

Edit - I just took a look at the rest of Movendi's stock! It'd be a lovely day out looking at the other amazing kit they have there 8)

Cheers

Mark

Ditherer · Post by **Ditherer** » Thu May 28, 2015 4:57 pm

Thank you all so much for your input. I sent an email to the dealer two days ago and haven't yet had a response. I may call him tomorrow.

I've also seen this one for sale. It's in Sheffield I think. http://www.sportsclassics.co.uk/invento ... pe/view-61

It seems to have been on the market for a few months. Does anyone know it? Looks like it has a dynamo, what's the likely cost of a quality alternator conversion? My wife loves the dark blue of the car in D?sseldorf, but this one is in the country, cheaper, registered and MOT'd.

What do we think?

Post by **Heuer** » Thu May 28, 2015 5:14 pm

Front over riders badly fitted, handbrake should be chrome, looks like no luggage runners (and they are impossible to get if they are the cast versions) and the hinge covers are missing. Definitely a car Angus should go and check out for you.

neil4444 · Post by **neil4444** » Thu May 28, 2015 5:15 pm

A Dynalite is a straight swap for the dynamo. Costs about ?400 plus there's a little rewiring to do - very simple.

http://www.powerlite-units.com/products/dynalites/

Post by **Heuer** » Thu May 28, 2015 8:09 pm

The Nippondenso is also an easy swap at a third of the price although lacks the 'look'. Details in the upgrade Forum.

Ditherer · Post by **Ditherer** » Fri May 29, 2015 10:13 pm

I've found a couple more in the same price bracket, a white one in England and a red one in Norway. A specific question if I may to those with better knowledge of the market than me. My budget is ?55,000 and I've set my heart on a series one FHC. Is that a reasonable sum for a good condition, usable example or am I only going to find mutton dressed up as lamb at that price?

Matching numbers are of no real interest as I'm not buying it with half an eye to selling it. Originality is only important in terms of keeping the purity of the design. The blue one I found in Germany is in a non 1967 colour for example but I think it matches the E Type beautifully.

I'm happy to tinker and smarten over time and accept that, for that money, the history will be limited, but I would like a solid car.

Any views?

Post by **mgcjag** » Sat May 30, 2015 8:01 am

Hi Paul.....I think you are at the lower end of the price ranga...it very much depends on what you consider is a good condition usable car.... http://classiccars.brightwells.com/view ... hp?id=5304 this one sold at auction a couple of weeks ago for ?49k pluss commission so spot on your budges... in my opinion to make it a good condition car it needed quite a bit of work, lots of tidying under the bonnet and paintwork...and thats without looking under it or driving it.... Steve

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