Need expert advice on buying a E Type

[Heuer]

Interesting first post ; presumably you are the vendor?

If someone asks on the Forum "what do you think of this car" he is going to get a range of opinions but all of them will be well intended and helpful. The collective E-Type knowledge here is quite extensive and the views of Peter Crespin and Christopher Storey, in particular, are worth their weight in gold or at least Brown's Lane steel. Most here use their cars quite extensively, are not obsessive about colour of paint and usually wield their own spanners. Vicarage and their products are well known and we all have a lot of respect for Nick Goldthorpe who founded that particular company and went on to greater heights with CMC. This particular car is what it is - a Vicarage conversion, superbly executed to produce a fairly unique machine. No arguments about the colour, it is a personal choice. The price is probably fair because there is little to compare it to. What is of concern is the error on the V5 which could, one day, have far reaching consequences for the owner. Malcolm has done due diligence and highlighted the issue - seems to me the vendor should put it right before transferring the car to his name!

[christopher storey]

Malcolm, David and others : I was somewhat interested to see when I looked at the xkedata link which David gave , that the colours of the car were much more representative of what one might expect ( particularly it shows biscuit rather than the very yellow interior on the vendor photographs) . It just shows how digitized photographs may give misleading impressions of colour , which may in any event be affected by the setup of one's own monitor.

Anyway, I wish Malcolm much pleasure from his E

[dribbler]

Interesting first post ; presumably you are the vendor?

Nope. A casual observer.

[1954Etype]

I have been following this post with interest and have to say my heart sunk when I read you bought it. ?50k for a roof chopped 2+2 is (imho) way over the top - particularly when you could have bought the genuine article. I really hope the enjoyment you get from the car outweighs the potential loss you will make if you try to sell it.

[Heuer]

To be fair the Vicarage cars were selling for ?98k+ in 1990 and to recreate one today would probably cost more. It is what it is - different and will always appeal to someone.

[vee12eman]

Congratulations on your purchase and I am sure we all wish you enjoyment . As to value, I guess that is immaterial. To get any sort of good quality restoration these days to costs a significant amount. Even my home restoration was much more expensive than anything I had attempted before.

The value of these cars fluctuates a lot, as seen by the history of your car as described. I know 2+2s converted to OTS are worth less than originals, on the other hand, a good OTS can cost more than this, there is the advantage of the rear seat for the grandchildren (or whoever else is small enough!) and the knowledge that a proper restoration/rebuild/upgrade was carried out. Furthermore, the write up from the auction indicates air con is fitted - a desirable and rare find on a RHD E-type. I think this will be a more modern system than original, which wouldn't fit in the RHD cars.

E types are actually fairly easy to convert to OTS, because there is no real strength in the roof , so it doesn't add much to structural integrity; all body strength is in the sills of both cars; only rear panels differ. Of course body numbers won't match and it is tricky to convert back, but unless you're a purist, this is of little importance. You didn't buy the car to make a quick profit, the extra money will be justified provided the car remains reliable and all the upgrades work well - they would cost a fortune to add and even "normal" repair bills mount up very quickly. It is not hard to imagine spending say 40000 on a car and quickly spending another 10000 to get it up to scratch and you still might not have all the features of your car.

I would still recommend someone to get out there and look around before buying, but on the other hand, when you find the car for you, cost and advice from others are of little import.

Anyway, I for one am happy for you and perhaps a little jealous, because I remember the Vicarage cars coming out - and I wanted one!

Regards,

[dribbler]

I have been following this post with interest and have to say my heart sunk when I read you bought it. ?50k for a roof chopped 2+2 is (imho) way over the top - particularly when you could have bought the genuine article. I really hope the enjoyment you get from the car outweighs the potential loss you will make if you try to sell it.

I'm going to assume that the dealer priced the car based on three things;
1. What the market value is for this type of car
2. How much money was spent on it and how much would somebody have to spend to get the same specification?
3. Can they sell it at the asking price?

It proves that guide prices are precisely that. One man's 'over the top' is another one's 'I want that and I'll have it - thank you very much'. For me, it keeps the world interesting.

I had customers who thought nothing of spending ?25k on a car that had a 'guide' price of ?6-8k because they understood the value of the time that went into creating a show winning vehicle. Throw in the bespoke nature of such a restoration and the joy such a thing can bring to somebody and you might as well tear up the guide price book anyway.

I often think guide price books are there to try and make people feel guilty for the price they have paid for something they like. Value and worth is totally subjective.

A car is only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it.

[dribbler]

Congratulations on your purchase and I am sure we all wish you enjoyment .

Shame this gentleman is in Australia. He sounds like one of those 'majority' guys I alluded to earlier. :D

[merailson]

Thank you once again to all for the advice and feedback. I feel like I know much more about the car now having spoken to Nick @ CMC and Malcolm at Vicarage. Both remember the car and the client well (Malcolm still has the full file on the works). I am happy to proceed with the purchase at the price agreed as this is the car I wanted (I wanted a convertible and auto) it has 2 rear seats so I can take the wife and 2 young daughters out in it. I like the colour, look and ride. I also love the fact that a british company transformed this car with great ability and effort. Like any car, it will never be to everyone tastes but for me, its just want I want and when I saw it, I knew instantly I wanted it (this is the same for my house & wife and so far so good!). I ask that no one feels sorry for me, I feel like I am going into this purchase with my eyes wide open and I can't wait to make this car part of my family for years to come. I am very grateful to you all for such good advice

Thank You

Malcolm

[1954Etype]

Malcolm

beautifully put. You obviously know what you are getting into - just enjoy the car and E Type ownership. I would be good to see the car in the flesh one day just to look at the quality (which I suspect will be high) of the workmanship.

Good luck and drive it!

Angus

[D COUPE]

There are a lot of people dream of what We do...........honest.

Life sometimes gets in the way of doing what you desire.

It is good to see someone follow His dream to own an Etype

Well done and Welcome

DC