Buying an early 1961 OTS?

[Desmo]

Hello,

My name is Jon and an E Type enthusiast since I was 5 or 6 years old. Some years now I am looking for an early full original lhd FHC. Unfortunately without any success. Some weeks ago it happened that I got a privat offer about a very early lhd OTS - outside bonnet latch; welded louvers -. It is a matching numbers car - except for the gearbox; replaced with an also eraly 3 digit No. Moss Gearbox - and nearly full restored by professionals about a very, very long period of time, with now in excellent body/chassis condition repainted in genuine colour when the car was new and completely ovehauled engine, gearbox, suspensions, differential, colling system, carburettors etc. The car is in a reassembled state now but without the full interior - lost -, without fuel tank/pump and rear fuel pipes - lost -, exhaust system and the convertible hood/frame assembly. Unfotunately most of the not reassembled/fitted parts are lost, also the genuine hood incl. frame and the first car/commission no tag.

A really very nice and well restored car at all but not sure about if it is possible to find all the genuine missing items and set the car back in the best possible original condition. On the other hand I am not sure about the possible value of the car in this not full finished condition and missing items. What could be a realistic price for such a car? I am appreciate for any advice.

Thank you very much,
Jon

[Durango2k]

Only a guess, 150 Grand these days .

[christopher storey]

If the ID plate and tags are missing how is it shown that this is a matching numbers car ? I should be very careful. The lack of all those interior / hood parts carries with it ( to me ) a strong suggestion that this is a car created from just an identity ( and by the way all those parts are 1. not easy to find and 2. expensive to replace

[Desmo]

Hello,

Thank you for your reply. Christopher. The old documents from the USA are still with the car, the Jaguar Certificate confirms the, chassis No, the engine No and the body No. The engine No. incl. the head No. are right. Also the body No. tag is still stamped oin the bonnet stiffener inside. The chassis number also still in place on the front right chassis cross member. The welded louvres are genuine ans also the side latch mechanism components. Also the boot lid hinges are the right very early items.

Can you give me some advices, which points on the car I can check furthermore? Thank you.

Best regards

[mystery type]

If this was an advert, i would skip right over it. lost, lost, lost. sounds suspect to me.
damaged damaged damaged would sound much better.
But thats only my opinion, could be many reasons why they got "lost"

how keen is he to sell?

[Heuer]

Have you checked the car number at www.XKEdatacom?

[Desmo]

Hello Mystery Type,

I understand your point of view.

Hello David,

Yes. The car is registeted there with the right numbers but without further information. Are there other special "points" on the a genuine 1961 body I can check? What should be the right number for the genuine differential?
Thank you.

Best regards

[Heuer]

Suggest you read through the 'Factory Fit' thread which may give you some pointers: viewtopic.php?t=2006 The green OBL car has some good detail and the rest of the thread gives info on the early cars as we know it.

[christopher storey]

The final drive units have no identifying numbers that I know of, and even if they did, Jaguar did not apparently record them . Also, I am slightly puzzled about the body number on the bonnet stiffener. I cannot be categorical about early cars, but on the vast majority of E types the body number was on a riveted tag on either the inner left wheelarch, or behind the rear number plate ( as well as on the dataplate in the engine compartment ) . The chassis number on the top of the picture frame is not necessarily a reliable guide to originality, as many cars have fresh picture frames stamped up with a chassis number ( my own FHC is one of them, although I do have the original frame also to prove originality )

[Heuer]

Certainly early cars are stamped there (from our Factory Fit' thread):