The 'E' Type Forum

Ok I was wondering if anyone here has attempted a complete change over for a 1.5 car to a 1.0 car (albeit a late one)? To do so would require I estimate:

1. Change the headlights to covered ($3,000)
2. Change the interior panels to toggle switches (5,000?)
3. Change the valve covers to smooth polished ($800)
4. Change the door panels ($1,000)
5. Remove the mirror and patch the drivers side door (1,000)
6. Change the manifold and carbs to the earlier setup. ($2500?)

This of course is not the complete list but would probably serve to make the car as close as possible to a 1966 1.0 OTS. Totaling approximately (guesstimate) 13,500 USD to do this, would it make sense financially? Would the cars value be increased commiserate to a 1.0 value or would it be a waste of money because the serial number would obviously tell the true story? Opinions?

Interesting question and you will get responses like 'it is your car, do what you like etc'. I own my possessions because I want them and if they increase in value then great, if not, I'm not bothered. The serial number will always reveal what it is and if you aren't bothered about that, do it. My car is converted from lhd to rhd and the serial no confirms that. If you wanted do it, forget the financials. If you are worried about the value of the car, don't do it.

I think you should view any intended modifications based on what you want from the car. If someone owns an E-Type purely for investment purposes, then keeping things original is obviously best, but if they own an E-Type simply because they enjoy owning and driving it, then a few reasonable modifications shouldn't be held against them. I've seen several Series 1.5 and -2 E-Types with early bonnets, etc., and it certainly didn't detract from the car in my view. In my opinion, making your Series 1.5 into a Series One is certainly not blasphemous to the marque.

My goodness.....there's some mighty steep prices there

I converted one of mine last year and I have just the steering column left to do.

At those costs I wouldn't bother but I would at sensible money

Some (like the panel change) are pure guesses. Anyone have any idea where I could buy a replacement toggle switch panel to replace my ugly rocker switch one with?

I am using this as a high estimate. Hopefully I can get it done for less. At any rate I think I am going to do it.

You will need the wiring harness to go with the S1 dash panel and then the S1 wiper motor to go with the six-wire harness. Probably also the indicator switch and horn push, steering column and ignition stuff etc plus lots of other items just to enable what may seem like a simple switchover to work in practice. The dash side panels are also usually different dependin on your car's spec. I did an S1 into S2 dash swap but only because the S2 had been lumped and all my spares were S1I had everything.

It will take a lot more than smooth cam covers and triple SUs to make it look S1 under the bonnet. The thermostat housing, radiator, hoses, picture frame, suspension uprights/brakes, the list just goes on and on.

Your doors will be a big job I suspect.

Are you sure that making it 100% S1 will allow you to sell it as the same price as an S1? Because, to me, what is the most important in a car is the fact it's an original.

If you just want to have the look of the S1, change the dashboard (wiring), the openlights. You can also change the camcover and the carbs, but I think it's enough to just make it as tasty as the S1.

You can anyway keep all the parts (I still have the s1.5 version of my cam covers in the garage, same for carbs), and change them to the S1.5 standard if you want to resell it.

I suppose the question is, if I sold my series 2 and added 13,000 dollars to it, could I buy a series 1 of a similar standard. Are series 1's that much more expensive?

PeterCrespin wrote:You will need the wiring harness to go with the S1 dash panel and then the S1 wiper motor to go with the six-wire harness. Probably also the indicator switch and horn push, steering column and ignition stuff etc plus lots of other items just to enable what may seem like a simple switchover to work in practice. The dash side panels are also usually different dependin on your car's spec. I did an S1 into S2 dash swap but only because the S2 had been lumped and all my spares were S1I had everything.

It will take a lot more than smooth cam covers and triple SUs to make it look S1 under the bonnet. The thermostat housing, radiator, hoses, picture frame, suspension uprights/brakes, the list just goes on and on.

Your doors will be a big job I suspect.

WOW I had no idea so much was involved. Perhaps I should start with the lights and carbs/manifold and stand pat with that. ...

As a seller of top end e-types I don't find people are that worried if they were originally 1 1/2. The heritage certificate will still show it as a S1 as that is what they are.

I have often seen them listed as late S1's. I'd go with what ever makes you happy.

Good point Harry. The S1.25 and S1.5 designations are purely retrospective unofficial additions created by enthusiasts and owners. Arguably the S1 designation never existed - there was only the 'E-Type', the 'E-Type Series 2' and the 'E-Type Series 3'. The Heritage certificate on this car will state it is a Series 1 (to avoid confusion) regardless of the bonnet or switchgear style. Jaguar changed the specification on an almost weekly basis as they sought to improve reliability, comfort whilst reducing productions costs hence even the purists will struggle to get their car to actual factory build. Most people on the Forum will have modified their cars to some extent (better brakes, stainless steel exhaust, improved cooling, electronic ignition, big wheels/modern rubber etc etc) so do what you like. As for values it will make little difference but certainly make the car easier to sell to anyone other than an archivist owner.