The 'E' Type Forum

Nearly two years ago now I started a topic on this subject. Since that original posting I have come to the conclusion that the privileging of the looks of the series 1 over the series 2 is being promoted more by market than aesthetic considerations.

For instance: I like the rear end of the series 1, but the full width wrap around bumper of the series 2 is pleasing in its own right and less fussy. I like the small grille opening of the series 1, but think that wider one on the series 2 is actually more pleasing ? and especially so if the latter is fitted with one of the after-marker headlight covers.

There are some things on the series 2 which are inferior but they are relatively easily and inexpensively altered ? eg the spayed rear pipes and the square number plate and the fussy chrome around the headlights.

I haven't checked recent prices but last time I looked the series 1 cars were costing tens of thousand more than the series 2, mainly on the grounds of supposedly superior aesthetics ? notwithstanding that the series 2 cars are widely regarded as being the better drive. Perhaps sometimes people see what the market wants them to see. This is especially true of those who write for the classic car magazines, with the creditable exception perhaps of Martin Buckley. Let me know what you think.

The S2 cars were, understandably, better developed than the S1's but that does not necessarily make them a "better drive" - certainly if we are comparing 4.2's in both series. So it is mainly down to aesthetics and personal preference. As for prices you will find good S2's are climbing steadily in price in the slip stream of their older, more glamorous, sisters - a good one will set you back ?75k+. A well restored S1 will be double that but that is down to supply and demand. I think E-Type's are still undervalued and prices will climb steadily as people begin to realise their true worth. If you bought a project car of any Series today the restoration is going to cost about ?130,000+ unless you are capable of doing a lot of the work yourself, in which case budget ?75k+. Factor in the cost of buying the car in the first place and you can see why I say they are undervalued.

Having restored a couple of S2s and worked on others, I have to say that the factory really worked on sorting out the problems inherent in the S1 cars. Things like putting a rubber strip (same as the mudguard rubber) inbetween the loom and the frame near the alternator in order to stop the loom chafing.

I quite like the chromes around the headlights now I have seen factory ones rechromed and fitted well. (I still think the S1 chromes look ugly and wish they had been the same profile as the S2).

As you say, removing the splayed exhausts, replace the rear lights with Lotus units which incorporate the reversing light means you can lose the 2 square lights under the bumper. Change the rear bumper rubber for a Series 1 and it looks really neat. (Still not as nice as a S1 in my view but much better).

Let me know what you think.

I think you have a series 2 :?

Interesting assessment of current and future values: http://tinyurl.com/nkygy69

but what is really pushing prices at the moment is the recognition that these cars had become undervalued. Now that a handful of cars that have historically been less desirable than an E-Type or early XK are regularly exceeding $200,000,

something we as owners, have been saying for some time.