Newbie questions

[speedyK]

Hi

I did a search which didn't really tell me what I wanted to know, so I then posted in the "Welcome" section of the forum.

Despite 29 views, no-one has replied yet. As my subject is the Series one car, I hope that adding a link here may change that:

http://etypeuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php? ... ceb7299afe

I would really appreciate some feedback ? either here or in the thread in the "Welcome" section. Thanks.

[Heuer]

The first lesson you need to learn with E-Type ownership is that of patience - finding one, restoring it, waiting for parts, sending the parts back because they are wrong, getting it going etc. You posted your first question at 11:15pm yesterday and the first reply was about 12 hours later which is not bad going since we need to sleep, go to work or wait at home for parts to be delivered!

[speedyK]

:D

Ah, but there were 29 views without comment. My patience does have limits

[Heuer]

Twenty of those were probably you checking to see if anyone had replied! If you patience has limits are you really sure you want an E-Type? :?

[speedyK]

No ? the hits were not from me ? I didn't need to open the thread to see if there was a reply.

Yes, I do want an E-type. I've been waiting 37 years ? in 1975 as a student, I was doing a summer job and checking Exchange & Mart every Thursday to see if there was a decent one in my price range. There were several before I had the necessary cash, but none for several weeks once I could afford one. As I did need a car, I bought an MGC roadster. This was mechanically restored in 1981 and bodily restored in 1984





so I do know a little about British cars and patience. I would prefer to avoid the mistake of buying a car that looks OK but actually needs a new monocoque. I want to enjoy driving it, not rebuilding it

The MGC replaced my Triumph TR4A which regularly used to shake itself apart. The MG is much better designed and built ? but I still want an E ? honest!

The question that concerns me most is that of rust on the floor/inner sill area. Does this sort of appearance (on a car described as having a "perfect" body) always mean that a re-build is inevitable?

[Heuer]

No - but that picture means 'approach with caution'. It suggests that car has not been restored or been done badly. The areas of biggest concern on an E-Type are the inner sills which rot from the inside out. The other areas of concern (floors, IRS mounts) are usually fairly obvious if they are rotting. The frames are very difficult to check without taking them off the car and shaking them to hear the rust. You obviously have experience of classic cars so you will be delighted by the E-Type because it has levels of performance, comfort and ride that few other cars of its era, or indeed later, can approach. An S1 OTS 'restoration project' will probably now cost ?15,000 - ?20,000 and about ?100,000+ to restore, 30% less if you do most of the work yourself. On the other hand a well restored OTS can be found for ?60,000 if bought privately. Check out the cars Harry has for sale (click on the E Type UK logo at top left of page) as he has good unrestored cars as well as some immaculate examples. He brings cars in from the US so it might be worth giving him a call and ask if he has any good LHD OTS's coming in over the next few months.

[speedyK]

Thanks. I've already ruled out one so-called "perfect" restored car that was actually a lash-up. I've seen a couple of fairly sound unrestored ones ? both of which are promising in their own ways and intend to view another allegedly "top, restored condition" soon.

I'll no doubt be asking for help again soon :)