Buying from the states
#1 Buying from the states
Help! I have found the E type I want on Ebay in the states. Having never done this, whilst it seems perfectly straight forward, what are the traps, pitfalls and cons I might be open to? any advice would be very welcome.
Cheers Simon
Cheers Simon
Simon. S. Plant.
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#2
Hi Simon...i would advise posting the one you want here for forum members to view and give you an honest opinion......dont think that someone will jump in and beat you to it becaus they would have already see it if you have......the old buyer beware comes to mind, is the seller genuine, does the car actually exist thats for sale...there have been a few posted that have advertised using someone elses car photoes.....are you going to view it so you know what you are getting.....also try looking for the car here http://www.xkedata.com you can put in the reg, chassis no etc and possibly find some history.... dont be put off just be carefull Ps it was me that mailed you via ebay
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc
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#3
The car is 121870796201 on ebay and is on the xkedata base. Anyone come across this car or seller? any thoughts gladly received.
Simon. S. Plant.
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#5
Hi Simon....what no did you look it up on xkedata....i couldnt quite make out the frame number from the photo.....just for info....a 2+2 will in general cost more to restore than a fhc...but the value of a restored fhc is far more at the moment than an equivelant 2+2
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc
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#8
Hi Simon...i know of two 2+2 that recently sold for ?27k and ?33k both were very nice cars similar are available here in UK that you could stand in front of and look at...there could be so much hidden under that coat of primer that the initial cost plus restoration would bring the cost to way over what you could buy
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc
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#9
Considering the the hassle of getting it to home, incurred costs and uncertainty of it all I would suggest as my foreposter to let this one pass. You'ld have a lhd. Not that it couldn't be fixed, but considering the state of condition, potential of missing parts and the fact that it would be from US, the specific car your looking at is not a rare find, and not specificly cheap at that.
Keep looking.
Martin
Keep looking.
Martin
Martin Scherz
Late S2 1970 OTS US LHD
Late S2 1970 OTS US LHD
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#11 Re: Buying from the states
Hi Simon,ssplant wrote:Help! I have found the E type I want on Ebay in the states. Having never done this, whilst it seems perfectly straight forward, what are the traps, pitfalls and cons I might be open to? any advice would be very welcome.
Cheers Simon
I live about an hour from McKinney, Texas and would be willing to look at it on your behalf and give you an opinion of the car and the seller. (I assure you I have no interest in buying it). I'm about 75% through a full rotisserie restoration on a '64 FHC, so have a good idea as to what's what with the S-1 series. While I've never purchased a car off e-bay, I did ship a Bitter SC to Germany via Houston/Hamburg. So I have experience, albeit limited, in that regard. No charge...I'm retired and have the time. Would probably snag another E owner to go with me if he's not doing anything else.
Regards,
Eric
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Nickleback
- Posts: 520
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- Location: West Sussex

#12
Looks like it's being flipped by a dealer having been bought for around $12500. in early Jan16
Too expensive, has some rust ?, parts needed, no VIN plate, then rebuilding & respray ?
As per the three above...
Suggest keep looking & one will come along
Too expensive, has some rust ?, parts needed, no VIN plate, then rebuilding & respray ?
As per the three above...
Suggest keep looking & one will come along
Mike,
1970 S2 FHC 2R28165
1970 S2 FHC 2R28165
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christopher storey
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#13
I wouldn't even consider it . What/where is this Holley that keeps on being referred to, but does not appear in the photos as far as I can see ? Furthermore, primer is porous, and if it has been stored for many years in that state, it is likely that there is surface rusting under the primer . You can buy running lhd 2+2s at auction here for not much more than it will cost you to get this car into the UK .
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#14 2+2
Agree with those above. I would pass! From the pics you are looking at many hundreds of hours work to get it going. 2+2 cars do appear frequently in roadworthy if not pristine condition. Just finding all the missing bits will be a challenge.
Keep an eye on www.carandclassic.co.UK too....
Good luck....the right one will come along.....
Keep an eye on www.carandclassic.co.UK too....
Good luck....the right one will come along.....
Julian the E-type man
1962 FHC
1966 MGB....fab little car too
1962 FHC
1966 MGB....fab little car too
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#15
Thanks guys I'll keep looking, patience is not one of my star qualities. I keep an I on Ebay, Car and classic and classic cars on line + various dealers websites. Preloved, Gumtree, E&M and Autotrader - Am I missing somewhere?
Simon. S. Plant.
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Gfhug
- Posts: 3751
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- Location: Near Andover, Hampshire,in D.O. Blighty

#16
You could always chat to Angus: http://www.mossjaguar.com/home.html
He lurks (!) on this forum, repatriates E Types from the US and restores them.
Geoff
He lurks (!) on this forum, repatriates E Types from the US and restores them.
Geoff
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration
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#17
Hi Simon....yes put an add on the wanted section here give as much detail as poss eg budget..model..condition etc...and ask for members to post anything they see....also look up as many classic car auctions as poss......dont get impatient...the tortoise beats the hare 
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc
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#18 Buying
EBay and the other classic car sites always have cars for sale. As with any second hand car purchase buyer beware. As other threads will suggest, some eBay adds are not what they seem. Stolen photos and unrealistic prices. Scammers do exist although they can be anywhere. I would never ever buy a car unseen or checked for both authenticity and that it is legally on sale (HPI type check). What ever E type you get it ain't going to be a few quid so be sure you are getting what you paid for.
I know of someone locally who bought an E type here in the south east of England that turned out to be stolen...after he had poured a lot into the restoration....car was seized and returned to the rightful owner!!!
I know of someone locally who bought an E type here in the south east of England that turned out to be stolen...after he had poured a lot into the restoration....car was seized and returned to the rightful owner!!!
Julian the E-type man
1962 FHC
1966 MGB....fab little car too
1962 FHC
1966 MGB....fab little car too
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#19
Hello Simon , my favourite websites to watch are Beverly hills car club, Gullwing motor cars and Hilltop autos, all actively find restoration type cars and can help with shipping etc.
regards Barrie
regards Barrie
1968 E-type roadster, 1964 E-type fixed head 1995 Ferrari 355 1980 Ferrari 308 1987 V8 90 Landrover 1988 Bedford rascal van 1943 Ford GPW
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#20
Thank you all so much again. I shall endeavour to take on the mantle of a tortoise and I shall wait for a RHD series 1 FHC in need of restoration for and 30k!! Forever the optimist (dreamer) Simon
Simon. S. Plant.
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