The 'E' Type Forum

Morning,
I have a UK roadster that was manufactured 31st May 1962 and dispatched from the factory 8th June that year.
Opalescent Gunmetal with a biscuit interior.
The distributor was Henlys of London.
It wasn't registered until April 63 though.
Just wondering why?
Did it really take 9 months to sell a new roadster in England?
Was it held back from sale for some reason?
Any ideas, or is that normal?

James

My car was built in November 1961 but not registered until February 1962 so I've 4 months missing.
I had similar thoughts-this was the time E-Types especially roadsters were the proverbial "hen's teeth", waiting lists and the vast majority of production concentrated on LHD North American versions. So why the delay in selling UK cars?

Perhaps they were being retained as demonstrators?

Perhaps they had fallen off the transporter on the way to the dealership and had to be rebuilt by the mechanics?

A lot of the early cars were bought by returning US servicemen and not registered until they were ready to use them, usually for European trips

Mine built Feb, delivered March, registered October. No known reason. Possible reasons:-

Car being used as demonstrator driven for a while under trade plates.
Damage in transit, repairs required.
Car driven by owner of retailer under trade plates.
Unfancied original colour combination.
Waiting list for optional extras such as a radio/cassette player, or seat belts (prior to 1966).

In my case it is quite likely that prospective owners waited until the August change of registration letter In 1966 and earlier the number plate letter changed on 1 Jan.

Also, static display vehicles in showrooms or taken off for display at other venues.