The 'E' Type Forum

I have just bought my first E Type. It was produced in 1974, but also comes, if one wishes to buy such, with a hard top, which was purchased by the original owner on 20 October 1977 from Charles Clark Dartmouth of Carters Green, West Bromwich, Staffs B70 9LH. Under their name on their Receipt appears 'Morris Cars, M.G. Cars and Wolseley Cars'. In other words, they may not appear to be Jaguar Specialists. I am advised by the Dealer from whom I have bought the car (and with whom I have done business in the past and consider entirely reliable) that original hard tops are a little like 'gold dust' and therefore command a significant price, even if not, as here, 'works' hard tops. Further, he advises that a replica will today cost me about 2,500 pounds. So, my question, the answer to which, I appreciate, may be somewhat subjective, is whether, indeed, I should snap up this hard top or not. In this further regard, I also wonder how much one may expect to use the hard top if, as I believe, a valuable car like this will not ordinarily be driven that much in the winter or in bad weather, and it is obviously a two man job to put it on or take it off.

Ian

I have a hardtop for mine and depending on your use can be worth while. They can be put on by one person if careful but the design can cause scratches to the paintwork just behind the doors if not put on extra carefully. The stainless trim around the door windows is sharp and if it touches the paint it will scratach.

Also the rear rubber seal, to seal the top against the rear of the vehicle can wear the paint.

These are not a necessity but comes down to personal preference.

As an aside, a V12 hardtop in good used condition sold a couple of days ago on Ebay Australia for £850 and it had been listed a couple of times with no interest.

Garry

There is one on E Bay at present, requiring work

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-E-Type ... 2513530851

I can pretty much guarantee you will never use the hardtop and if you do, it will most likely damage the paintwork as they tend to wriggle about when in place. Storage is a pain as well.

Agree with David.
I have an original factory hard top that came with my 1973 V12. I know it's original as I managed to track down the first owner and he confirmed it came with the car new as an optional extra.
I have seen genuine hard tops fetch £2500 but if you have an OTS you tend to use them in good weather, plus the paint can be damaged around the rear of the car where the top tends to move a little. Storage is a pain and I have mine in a garden shed taking up precious space.
In all the years Iv'e owned the car (8 years) I have never used it!
Mike

I have a series 2 OTS and have my hardtop deployed from November to March. The wind noise is somewhat reduced if compared to the soft top and there is a bit more headroom. So, for long winter journeys, it makes a big difference to me.
I agree with the paint damage issue and apply a body-colour (red) electrical tape to the rear panel to protect the paint.
I also use the three clamps to hang it upright in my garage to minimise the space occupied.
So, I am a fan!
Regards, PeterH

I have a hard top for my 6.0 litre V12. Signal Red to match the bodywork. They were all black, but some think look better in the car colour. It is stored on a frame with castors bought on eBay for under £100. In order to stop any damage to the paintwork where the rear rubber touches the body, fit a strip of 3m transparent film about 75mm wide from one side to the other.(the stuff they use to protect car paintwork from stone chips) and use some rubber lubricant to stop the squeaking when fitted. Works well. Having said all that, my hard top is off, on its stanD! Nice to have, and they do look good with them on though!

Many thanks for the feedback, which is much appreciated. It would, indeed, appear to be a very subjective matter as the feedback is fairly evenly balanced! There is, though, the common issue of damage to the paintwork, and the need for steps to minimise this, which is less than desirable. I also sense that a price tag of nearer 5K is not what one might expect to see, and certainly not for a non 'works' top, and even if, as i have found, Charles Clark Dartmouth MAY have been undertaking coachwork for RR back then. Best Wishes, Ian

Ian, if tempted, here is one for sale for a mere €600.
The location could give you a good excuse for a tour in the region.
https://www.leboncoin.fr/equipement_aut ... tm?ca=17_s

No affiliation whatsoever...