Stored in a barn for 30 years, and then kept for nine, this “pair” of E-Types are ready to be combined into one and put back on the road. The car and parts car remnants are stored in Collegeville, Pennsylvania and are being auctioned off here on eBay. Bidding has surpassed any reserve at this point and is at $7,100 as I write.
The seller tells us that they have already repaired some of the rust, mainly in the spare tire well in the boot. There’s plenty more to repair, but some of the body has already been media blasted, and the car comes with new quarter panels and floor boards that you can install.
The yellow car was wrapped around a pole and most of the body has been scrapped. However, this bonnet awaits installation. It looks pretty nice, although there may have been some metal work done in the very front.
The parts that come with the car seem to be stacked somewhat willy nilly on the floor of the shop. The seats actually don’t look bad, and there are certainly a lot of parts here, but gosh, this is one heck of a jigsaw puzzle to put back together! E-Types are pretty complex automobiles, and having parts from two cars mixed together might not help either.
Here is that wonderful XK lump. While not state of the art by 1969, over twenty years after it’s introduction, it was still a substantial engine, even when somewhat strangled by only two Stromberg CD175 carburetors (the same ones used on TR6’s & TR7’s). Perhaps you prefer the automatic transmission as seen here; I can tell you that I’d rather have the manual, especially with overdrive, and the car would be worth more with a manual. That being said, if bidding stays below $10,000 this could be a pretty decent buy, and who knows, you might have some extra parts afterwards to sell on eBay! What do you think?
I don’t understand why people take apart cars and put the parts all over the place without labelling them. I can’t even remember where I park at the mall sometimes, let alone knowing what a coffee can full of bolts was for :)
Either way someone should piece this cat together. There are a lot of resources online to help a resto like this… but don’t be surprised when it’s finished to have a few parts left over that you can’t figure out where they went!
My father owed several E-Types while I was growing up. They are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful designs to ever grace the roadways. On the flip side, they are one of the most horrible cars in the world to own. Electrical gremlins, rust problems (even in California where I grew up), mechanical problems and ridiculously expensive replacement parts.
I loved those cars as I was growing up an I was one of the few people around that could properly balance the three SU carbs. When everything was tuned and working properly those cars would just sing… for a little while. Then it was back to the shop to tune and balance again.
My dad called them “tinker’s cars” and that was being quite charitable.
I would NEVER consider buying one but if someone were to reproduce them like they did the Cobra’s I would consider one.
They do reproduce them using origonal templates but modern engineswith direct port fuel injection brakes and ancilliarys
Hefty price tag though
Looks like an adult jigsaw puzzle. I just hope all the pieces are there.
( one heck of a jig saw puzzler I put back together ) the car is pretty much assembled those are extra parts. And if this were my project car there would be no way I’d sell off spare parts. As for the car it looks to me like a lot of the hard work is already done and judging by the look of the shop and the wear on the equipment this seller is an experienced tradesman. Nice find e types are one of my favorite British cars.
I sold these cars new in 1969. Everything JIM L says about them was true then and true now. We used to tell potential buyers ” If this going to be your only transportation do not buy this car as it will be in the shop more than in your driveway.” That was emphasized with women because they will shriek more than men when the car fails. Having said that, you can not help but love them. When they were working they were fast, fun and oh so elegant to tool around in. The heaters were a joke in Wisconsin so, you needed a buffalo robe to drive in winter and a lot of patience when below Zero to warm motor up. It was called “waiting for it to come off the peg”, as opposed to firing your V8 Camaro at 30 Below and driving off 12 seconds later.” The real scary one was the reluctance of the oil pressure gauge to move when engine lit. In 1969 that bonnet assby just bare in the crate with no trim in primer was 850.00 U.S. FOB to dealer. Retailed at about 1500.00
ZS carbs work great. Learn how they work, maintain them and they are no problem. Nothing simpler to restore if you do ALL the steps. The throttle shaft seals perish and replacing them almost always corrects lean issues. E types are expensive to restore. Artificially inflated by unscrupulous parts houses. Nothing like the drive though. And Lucas electrics are bine simple to troubleshoot and repair. Try rewiring V12 bimmers and then talk to me about british wiring. Easy peasy stuff. The metal work is the tough part. Rust is an issue for sure. Start with good bones if you can.