Did anyone happen to see the 68 E Type 2+2 sell on Barrett Jackson? It was primrose yellow with black interior. Looked right, and had wire wheels. It appeared to be very clean. It was restored but I am not sure of how correct everything was. But 17,000? Even with the 10% buyers premium it is only $18,700 for a nice car. I know the 2+2 does not sell for as much as a coupe or OTS, but a 58 Chevy Brookwood station wagon brought over $40,000. Just doesn't seem right.

Submitted by stvflynn@aol.com on Thu, 02/04/2010 - 10:31

One consideration that was not talked about was that it was late in the day and horizonal winds were blowering forcing most bidder to high ground. Weather we think it was worth it (JUNK) or not is not is not a fair question. On this day under those conditions that IS what the car was worth.

As a owner of several E cars I appreciate the original examples but can also appreciate those that draw outside the lines.

Steve

Submitted by SC38-21185J on Sun, 01/31/2010 - 08:20

Neal, don't get too bent on the word "junk"...perhaps a better word could have been used. However, I have seen an awful of questionable cars, be them E-Types or Chevys or Fords that were coarsely thrown together with parts culled from different cars, bondo everywhere, questionable ID plates, etc. These cars are hastily thrown together, painted, and brought to auction for some shop to make a buck or two off an unsuspecting buyer.

These proud buyers then bring them to a concours where they are summarily slammed point-wise; and the owners go off in a huff, never to return to club shows. It's one thing to buy a classic car that you know what's wrong with it, and quite another to buy one that has been mis-represented. Auction venues are often times dumping grounds....you and I both know that.
This kind of stuff happens all of the time with Corvettes.

If I were advising someone on buying an E-Type, I would be advising them away from this car, and towards one that is authentic and correct. I would rather put 18 grand into a correct car than 18 grand into a questionable car, driver or not.

Perhaps the new owner doesn't care one way or the other...certainly the general public won't know and they will ooo and aaah as he cruises down the boulevard. If that's all he wants, then he's got it. But most classic car owners I know actually care about the pedigree of their car(s). Obviously, someone didn't care about putting the right bonnet on this car as well as other parts....sort of leads one to suspect what else might be "wrong" with the car. From your posts, it sounds like several of you would "jump" on the opportunity to own this car, but for me, 18 grand is a lot of money. Do you think he will get this back in 5 years at another auction? What if this car had a Chevy engine in it? Would that matter to you? Have you never called a car a piece of junk?
What about a beat-up Camry being towed towed to Mexico? Is that "junk" or would that be too harsh?

I think the point of being a JCNA member....at least for me....is the idea of heritage, preservation, and authenticity to a degree, otherwise we wouldn't be on these forums. Perhaps the term "junk" shouldn't be directed towards the car, but rather, the chop shop that put this car together and brought it to auction.

Since none of us bought this car, I guess it really doesn't matter one way or the other, does it?

Submitted by dougdwyer1@com… on Sun, 01/31/2010 - 00:31

For the money I sorta doubt that the buyer thought he was getting a correct car...unless a misrepresented car crossed paths with an uninformed bidder.

I agree with William. Looks more than decent enough to enjoy for very little money.

DD

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Sat, 01/30/2010 - 23:58

Who cares about the right bonnet, manifolds, smog stuff etc, etc? it is a reasonable car for the price in fact it is probably a good buy that made SOMEONE very happy!

Submitted by cleavefamily@c… on Sat, 01/30/2010 - 23:45

Neal,
Please read the Model Year '68 Judges Guide. Subject '68 should have had the directional signals above the bumper like a Series 1, not the larger signals under the bumper like Series 2 & 3s. Also the engine had the correct cam covers, but was missing the rear aluminum cross over and other related emmissions equipment. Did you notice the notches on the cams for the crossover? The car had the later Series 2, engine variation 3 exhaust manifolds, which came in silver rather than porcelain. The MY '68s were , in my opinion, the least understood of all E types. The last time I went to BJ there was a MY '68 being sold as a Series 2 and one of the premeir Auction Magazines didn't even pick up on it!

Submitted by jamesws1@minds… on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 11:31

BTW, the 68 2+2 had a series II bonnet on it and any bidder in the know would have known this and not bid. So the winner got an undesirable car AND an incorrect one at that!

Submitted by SC38-21185J on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 11:26

No, it isn't right at all. No telling if there was something wrong with the car, but for certain, the recession is having an affect on auction prices. The people with good cars are holding on to them, while a lot of junk is going through the auction houses, especially Kruse. Dealers are buying these up for cheap, and will re-sell when prices rise again. But if you ever want a cheap driver, now's the time. sucks for the seller; great for the buyer.

(I think the latest Jag Journal had mention of a Series one going for 99 grand...probably 30 thousand shy of what it should have been).