I love both these cars & I'd love to have 2 roadsters parked in my garage. Ive already got a 68 & 93 Vette so I suppose I should go for the E type first. Is an E really monstrously unreliable ? Can it be made reliable with modern electronics ? Whats the maintenance like on an E ? Can it possibly be used as a daily driver in good weather only ? Thanks I know my way around Vettes pretty well now
Search Web Sites for Vicarage jaguar in miami beach...He just finished an e type for Nicolas Cage...better than new quality and reliability...+ a 5 speed box, larger brakes, and triple webers.. Try This One..... http://www.vicarage-jaguar.com/ldphotos.html
William, this is based more on my experience with motorcycles than the cars, but the Brits had many, many issues during the 50s and 60s (and probably the 70s as well). Can you say Sir Lucas, the Prince of Darkness? Yes, retrofitting electronic ignition does a world of good and should be mandatory. But you really need to do a complete redo of all the electrics. For example, the type of connectors typically used were just pure junk and need to be replaced. I don't know how many connectors are on an E type. My guess is a lot. The Brits also had a problem understanding metallurgy. How hard can it be to make a decent value guide? Plus, they didn't understand that you can't put the same metal back to back. For example, in Triumph motorcycles, the carb bodies and slides were both made of zinc. Guess what happens when zinc and zinc rub against each other? For some reason, they always seemed to decide to stick together at wide full trottle. Makes for interesting times. You can actually fix the oil leak problem with what is called gorrilla snot or one of the Japanese sealants. But don't make the mistake of using Mobil 1. That said, an E Jag or a Triumph Bonneville are two of the prettiest designs ever, IMNSHO. (The early Rolls were pretty good looking also.) I say go for it, but make sure that you buy a mechanic along with the car. Dr "Hail Britanna" Tax
e types are hard all around. absolutely stunningly beautiful but fragile. here is a link to a story about a company in britain that will rebuild any or all of the etype of your choice - and make it into a modern porsche eater! but it costs..... http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=99&i=4176
Will, there is a british company that completely rebuilds old E types from the ground up and corrects most if not all of the issues that are chronic to the car. They are not concours then, but they dont rust, they start up everytime, etc etc. I can't seem to recall the name of that company right now..
Cooling, brakes, arm rests. If its original, don't get depressed by a little gap here and there at the trunk or the bottoms of the doors. Yes, they can be MADE reliable since they didn't leave the factory that way. Any E-Type that is not a daily driver, you can figure in $10-15k to make it a great driver and twice that if you want a perfect car you wouldn't want to put through daily rigors. Edit: One more thing, while considered the most beautifully proportioned/looking E-Type is the Series 1, the seats in the "1 1/2" and on are much better if your going to be touring. Sunny
E types had three distinct models. Type I is the most valuable, 6 cyl engine, covered headlights, etc. Type II uncovered the headlights to meet US specs and enlarges to 6 cyl engine, Type III was the last model type and added the v12. While having the v12 is cool, it really did very little for the performance of the car, and made them nose heavy, and added colling problems. Yes, Brit cars and Lucas electrics have some issues. But electronic ignition helps, as does good maintenance and some re-wiring as necessary. My recollection is that they have maybe 2 dozen circuits and fuses. A good type I car will set you back $50K or more, the later models drop off appropriately. Coucours condition is significantly higher. If you would like a VERY NICE type I, I have a friend who has one for sale. Low miles, very clean, just serviced by my Brit car mechanic. I gave the car some thought but I'm trying to reduce, not enlarge, my car inventory at the moment. If you'd like to see pix, and are interested, drop me a pm. Jag E type roadsters are among the most beautiful cars ever built. Every time I see one, I want one. If you're looking, and are willing to deal with some of the quirks that go along with British cars, GO FOR IT.
William, next time you are in NY. Call me I have a 65 which was a concours car when I bought it 5years ago. Have done several upgrades and it is reliable and plenty of fun as a cruiser.
While you're up here in May, you can take a look at this car, too. 1966 Series I with about 40K miles, all original. Image Unavailable, Please Login