E-Type

[Hugh R]

I judge them every year at the Palos Verdes and the Los Angeles (actually Rose Bowl in Pasadena) Concours. You can get just about every single part from Moss Motors in Goleta, CA. I mean you can get the short machine screw for the left rear tail light! It's amazing the parts support. A big deal is to change the two blade radiator fan for one that actually works. It's a 1 point deduction under the hood, cause they needed a better fan. Many guys go with the twin electric fans, it's still a 1 point deduction. Never owned one, but agree on the six cylinder versions. The inboard rear disk brakes (near the differential, not the wheel) are kind of strange, but I guess they work. Watch what is under the hood when you open it. The whole front of the car tips up, bumpers, headlights, grille, everything. Easy to chip if you're not careful.

Edit: I see you're in El Aye, the lucas electricals are not a problem in semi-dry climates. I believe they have SU fuel pumps. If you buy one, PM me and I'll shoot you a scan of the SU repair manual. You'll NEVER figure out the rebuild adjustment procedures on those suckers without the manual. I mean never!

[Aerkuld]

When I was learning to drive back in England I used to drive all over the place with my driving instructor. He was a great guy, ex-cop, who seemed to know all sorts of people. One Saturday I had a double lesson booked with him and he directed me out somewhere near Silverstone. We pull in to a little village that I can't remember and he tells me to pull up at the side of the road. We then get out and walk around what I seem to recall was someone's house to a huge wooden shed where one of my driving instructors friends had a business. Inside was the most amazing selection of old racing Jags. I can't remember exactly what but I think there was a C-type, a D-type and a couple of Lister Jaguars. Aparently this guy was an renowned restorer. I can't for the life of me remeber who it was or where it was but that was one heck of a good day out.

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by Tobra

yeah baby

rewire it if you don't like that lucas crap


the fuel pumps sort of suck too

The one is this pic. is exactly like the one I used to have. Mine was a '62 roadster that had the factory hardtop. A PO had pulled the 3.8 and put in a newer 4.2 with all syncro trans. The newer running gear with the old style looks was the best of both worlds.

Agree on the fuel pump. It I failed to hear it when I turned on the key, I'd tap on the top of the fuel tank with a broom handle. That would get it going.

In my opinion, the 911 is a better car, but I'll always love the looks of the older E-types.....

[URY914]

I have plenty more

[Paul K]

My Dad has a '71 coupe. Great car, but he's had quite a few issues with it. Here's a pic...



Cheers,

Paul.

[Laneco]

I am here on this site because of an E-type Jaguar...

I was 17 years old. Didn't even have a driver's license yet and zero interest in cars. My parents were not "car" people either (somehow I survived - ).

One day my Mom and I were out at a friend's ranch. He had a tractor shed, which is a tall three sided building. No front, you back everything into the building then pull straight out when you leave. There was a big ugly green canvas tarp covered with bird strikes and saturated with dust. It was covering a long, low object. Something with wire wheels - that's all I could see, one wire wheel.

He asked if I wanted to see it and drug the filthy tarp back. Underneath was an E-type 12 cylinder coupe (2+2). I thought the roofline was a little ungainly, but the rest of the car was so beautiful... I didn't know that cars could look like that. Didn't know they could kiss your soul just sitting there...

I fell in love with cars that day. Been downhill ever since - lol! The air-cooled 911's are my favorite, but no one ever forgets their first love, do they?

angela

[Paul K]

Angela:

Was that E-type ever restored? I hear you on the 'ungainly' thing- here's another pic of dads, really shows what you're talking about. I always preferred the convertibles, but they're a lot more $$$.



Cheers,

Paul.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Laneco

I thought the roofline was a little ungainly....

(More than a little!) ungainly - the sadly swollen roofed 2+2 (a defilement of the original shape, in my estimation).



Gainly, extreeemely gainly! - the original 2 place coupe,

[tcar]

The 'first' hatchback. Literally.

I read somewhere.

IMO, the early 2 seat 'coupe' was the best looking. Not practical if you were over 6-2. (That's why they dropped the floor on the later cars).

[Dottore]

I always thought these cars had one big aesthetic flaw: the wheels are mounted too far inboard, ie. the stance isn't wide enough.

You really see this problem in the red car above.

I mean this was the 1960's and all, but it gave the cars a very wimpy and fragile look.

Of course this can be corrected with spacers and bigger wheels - and in my view should be.

[DARISC]

I think Jaguar REALLY botched their design with the 2+2.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by DARISC

I think Jaguar REALLY botched their design with the 2+2.

Lucy in the sky with diamonds. That was the problem.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Dottore

I always thought these cars had one big aesthetic flaw: the wheels are mounted too far inboard, ie. the stance isn't wide enough.

You really see this problem in the red car above.

I mean this was the 1960's and all, but it gave the cars a very wimpy and fragile look.

Of course this can be corrected with spacers and bigger wheels - and in my view should be.

I know exactly what you are talking about, but the solution you suggest is more easily said than done and I believe impossible to accomplish without corrupting the projectile-like character of the form.

The tumblehome at the bottom is essentially symetrical to the tumblehome at the beltline and this would have to be altered significantly, especially at the front wheel wells to maintain tyre clearance when turning.

So, how high is that waterfall, 30,40m? Izzat you w/red shirt near bottom? Izzat really on your property ?

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by DARISC

I know exactly what you are talking about, but the solution you suggest is more easily said than done and I believe impossible to accomplish without corrupting the projectile-like character of the form.

The tumblehome at the bottom is essentially symetrical to the tumblehome at the beltline and this would have to be altered significantly, especially at the front wheel wells to maintain tyre clearance when turning.

So, how high is that waterfall, 30,40m? Izzat you w/red shirt near bottom? Izzat really on your property ?

Look at some of the Lister, or Lynx or Eagle E-types with after-market wheels. They take care of the problem quite nicely.

Re the waterfall: I was just pulling your plonker (figuratively of course). I think it's in the Amazon somewhere.

[p911dad]

The XKE has one possibly fatal flaw if the body has any rust- that is its monocoque construction(stressed skin instead of a frame, kind of like an airplane). It has sub frames carrying the engine and suspensions attached to the monocoque(body). If the body has internal rust-look out!! You need to have a careful inspection by someone familiar with these cars. It is 50's/60's racing design carried over to a production car, very light and strong. However, it is made of steel and we know what happens to steel over time. Good luck, it is a great car to mess around with and lots of fun to drive.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Dottore

Look at some of the Lister....

The original Lister Jag is VERY much smaller than the replics being made today (as the Fort GT is VERY much bigger than the original GT 40). It had similarly inset wheels that look a bit puny by today's standards also.

A friend had two new replicas from a start-up company making these (ex-Bexk associates - Becks design for the most part) and they look great with big meats filling the wheel wells, but again they are MUCH bigger cars (Chevy V8s in these ones).

Crap build quality, incidentally.

Real Lister:



Kit car Lister (not the one I saw):



Big diff, eh?

I'd have to see for myself what a good stylist could do to an E-type to correct what you point out. Also, back in the day, I never even noticed it that much. Now my sensibilities are affected by modern beefy tires and I notice it more.

Did you find your Healey? This one's a spitting image of the 100-4 I had. Of the post war Brittish cars, I think the early Healeys and E-types were the only ones that didn't have a certain frumpish look to them - even the Bond Aston.

[DARISC]

These Lynx?

[Wickd89]

I have been looking at this one for a while. Cannot justify it since I need another garage.
Perfect level of patina for a restored type 1. Immaculate driver. Can win some concourses but not the big ones if that is what you are looking for.

http://www.europeancollectibles.com/inventory_detail.aspx?@page_inv_id=Ja1988

[grudk]

Wikd89 that's a nice car. Might have to look at that one

Gmeteer I agree RE the wheels, but it does give an 'era appropriate' look

[Hugh R]

I sort of miss my old car, but then again, I look at my bank statement and smile. I realize that I could have as nice an E-Type for 10% to 25% of what I sold it for, and be able to get parts all day long. I think my old British sports car days are over, but who knows?