help in buying an XK-E roadster

Lenny

I think we talked onthe phone over the week end didn't we? I also see that you joined SFJC.. welcome...

Steve really covered it really well... i would never buy an e-type (or anything like a car, boat, etc...) on the internet without inspecting it myself.

at first glance, any of these Es are going to require full restoration at the cost of 10s of 1000 of dollars.

i understand you are looking for a driver... these are not drivers but restoration projects. nothing wrong with that but i don't think that's what you're looking for.

check the classifieds here, there is one one the second page, posted 4/9, the seller is a well known club member in South Carolina. desciption shoudl be accurate.

Pascal Gademer
72 E-type 2+2
00 XKR Coupe

Leonard,

Peter was lucky. I know many others who have bought cars on Ebay or other internet sites and not been so lucky. The MOST important issue in buying a E-type is RUST! In fact, to steal a concept from the old real estate advise -- the three most important things in buying an E-type are Rust, Rust and Rust. E-types are built without a chassis. It is what is know as monocoque construction -- the early iteration of uni-body construction. The side rails you'd refer to as "rocker panels" are actually structural. That's what holds the car up. If they are rusted out and filled with bondo, the car will literally fall apart or break in half. At the very least, it will sag and you will have all kinds of problems with doors not closing, bonnet and rear hatch alignment, and lack of rigidity when driving.

Unless you are a very experienced E-type person and inspect the car yourself, it is imperative that you have the car inspected by an experienced, qualified Jaguar mechanic who really knows E-types. A car can be patched up and painted pretty cheaply, and will look great on an internet website. But when you get up close and personal, you will find that it's a Bondo Bucket not worth spit. Most mechanical things on a car can be dealt with, and parts are available. Doing major structural body work can get very expensive very quickly.

Another thing you need to be aware of is the old "bait and switch" game. I've seen cases where someone looks at pictures that make a car look great, from a certain angle. When you see the real thing, it's a POS. Or the pictures you see on line turn out to be a different car altogether. There is no substitute for personal inspection. If you're spending $25K, $35K, $45K or more, you can afford a couple of hundred bucks for a plane ticket to go look at the thing. Or hire a VERY reputable, experienced mechanic to inspect it for you, write a report and take LOTS of pictures from all angles. These should include pictures of the ID plates, frame stampings, and engine and transmission numbers, if he can get to them.

In your area, I'd suggest you contact Dick Maury at Coventry West. Dick is a great guy, very experienced, and very active with JCNA. He may be able to point you in the right direction and is a good E-type resource.

Best of luck and let us know how you do.

Steve Weinstein, JTC-NJ
'70 XKE FHC
'69 XKE OTS

p.s. Plan on attending the JCNA Challenge Championship at Chateau Elan in September (see info elsewhere on this site). There are going to be some great cars there, and there is no better way to learn about them than to see some great examples and talk to lots of owners about their experiences.

Edited on 2011-07-18 17:24:06

Dear Lenny:
In the last 8 months I have bought 2 E Types on E Bay and they have been fantastic.A 1970 fixed head yellow series 2 coupe from Texas and a 1974 series 3 British racing green roadster.Its the latter I want let you know about.I live in Tucson and dealt with an absolute prince of a guy who is a retired but young, French baker, Cyrille (name and email edited at Cyrille's request) He is an artist,painter,furniture maker and he and his wife are wonderful.One of the many things Cyrille does is to restore classic cars and I bought this one from him for $32,000.00 completely drivable and great as is.If you are near Atlanta I would give him a call as he knows what is out there and is a member of the Atlanta Jag Club and you know you are dealing with a good person.I had both of these cars inspected by local machanics assossiated with Jag Clubs in the area before buying them.I urge however don't use the inspection services offered by EBay.They use people like PEP Boys and these guys don't even know how to open the hood let alone what to look for. Its a waste of $150.00 .I'm currently tracking 20 E Types available on EBay right now so they are out there .Let me know if you want me to Email you the list.Hope this is of help.Let me know if there are others pointers I can share with you.I have been lucky locally as I met a great man in our local Jag Club, Col. Len Wheeler who has done fabulous things for my cars as he has personally rebuilt 5 of these.I think you will find the best thing about owning one of these beautiful cars is the super people you will meet associated with them. .