Ferrari or E-Type Jag?

I have a spectacularly well restored '66 series 1 convertible. The work was done by Tom Krefetz at Classic Showcase in Oceanside CA (classicshowcase.com).
He will find and restore a XKE to any level you desire. The cars are much better than original, drive beautifully and are really the most stunning design ever.
My E Type is really the pride of my collection and I would get rid of everything else before the XKE. It is a much better car than the Dino, and certainly better than my 365 GT 2+2 of the same era.

 

Alex,

You bring up a very good point. The E is not only a better car than the Dino, it's a much faster car than the Dino.

 

how about a nice xkss replica?

 

I've been involved with Jaguars for many years. I currently own two -- a '72 E-type 2+2 (V-12) and a '70 XKE FHC (4.2L 6 Cyl.). Both are good drivers, not concours cars. They are both reliable, start and run well, and look great. I just added an '84 Mondial QV to the stable, my first Ferrari.

You can't compare an '80s, '90's or newer car to the "old" technology of the E-types. For their time, they were great cars, and still are today, provided you don't buy a rust-bucket. Rust is the single biggest problem with most old cars, and particularly so for the XKE, since it has a monocoque body, and rust in the sills can cause structural damage. But there are a lot of good, rust free cars out there, and you don't have to spend $85K to find one. A good solid driver in an OTS (open two-seater) can be had for $35K to $45K. For $25K to $35K, you'll find one that is solid but needs some work. Compared to more modern cars, the E-types are a snap to work on, and parts are readily available and not expensive (compared to Ferraris).

I love the Ferrari, and expect this is the first of several I'll end up owning. But I'll always have an E-type. It's just a very special car and for my money, there's nothing out there like it.

My $.02.

Regards,
Steve W.

p.s. My '72 E-type is for sale. It's a 2+2/coupe in excellent shape. Anyone interested, let me know.

 

Terry:

The MMMA actually owns and displays several cars. They include a Cisitailia, Prost's 100th victory car, and the Jaguar. For many years they were in storage in the showroom at Classic Coach. As far as I know they are still there.

 

Got one you want to sell?

 

I recall my circa 1972 Guinness Book of World Records listed an E-Type as leaving the world's longest skidmarks during an accident. Probably the most vivid account in the entire book, as he was just flying at too high a speed in not best of conditions. FWIW, the only things I recall from that guide are the tallest man, aforementioned Jaguar and the most expensive car - Bugatti Royale.

If anybody's interested, beautiful Primrose 4.2 synchro Coupe
http://www.heritageclassics.com/jaguar/66etypepri/Page.html

 

No doubt about it, Classic Showcase cars are definitely on the north side of the pricing range, but they have their cars at every major auction (Barrett Jackson, Monterey, Palm Beach, Palm Springs) and auctions are where the buyer chooses how much to pay. Classic are building great cars for that market niche that cares more about quality than current price. That type of car, over the medium to long tem (15 years or more) will gain value. The cost and effort required to restore an old rust bucket yourself is simply not worth it when there are excellent professional restorers in business doing a perfect job.

Classic are reviving my old 365 GT 2+2 and when it's all done I will have a perfect example at maybe $20K to $30K over a typical driver available today. Most people will think that's crazy, but I don't.

I'm into my cars for the long haul and the sheer pleasure of owning and driving them. There are simply thousands of stories of "if I had only bought that SWB in 1969 for $29,000 but it was too much at the time...."

 

Actually, they are out there. Csaba Csere of Car And Driver fame owns a Jaguar E-Type Convertible and takes it to the TRACK. They are good drivers cars, you just have to find a good one.

 

no, i wish but autosports design in ny does.

 

Try these guys, although the Dollar will not work in your favour...

http://www.eagleetypes.com/page.aspx?theLang=001lngdef&pointerid=169345dwprEOVViTRLd8xXbHBDHGbzge

They make the best E's in the business, either as standard or enhanced with modern brakes etc. They will make you a real driver's E type, to your own spec.

I swapped a 3.8 flat floor E for a 328 back in '99. I paid top money for the E type as a fully restored example only to find it was made of chicken-wire and filler. Not a happy story, but once sorted it was a great car- you'll love it!

As with Ferraris, get any car checked over by someone who is an E type specialist as they can have major probs.

Robert.

 

Good resource here:
http://www.jag-lovers.org

15 E-Types For Sale Here:
http://jagads.jag-lovers.org/browse.php?id=8

E-Type buyers guide and price guide:
http://www.jag-lovers.org/e-type/shopping.html

hth,
Jon

 

That's what I thought: the GTO a rip off inspired by the E type (staring at my models I realized that)
also the first BB (Boxer) was a copy/answer to the Countach.
BTW E types look much better as coupes rather than roadsters. although convertibles must be a lot more fun to drive I guess.

 

Countach/Boxer... that's arguable, methinks.

Bertone Carabo = Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 Stradale, Concept vehicle introduced at 1968 Paris Salon influenced Lamborghini Countach (first unveiled in '71), including scissor doors.

The Ferrari P6 prototype was introduced in 1969.

May be worth another thread, rather than "taking over" this one.

*Resumes drooling over E-Types*

 

I was 7 years old when my Father brought home his new 1966 Jag E-Type Roadster. Car was black/red and had the optional removable hardtop. He drove the car as a daily driver for 12 years, which in South Alabama without air conditioning was a feat in itself. I learned to drive a manual transmission in that car. It broke my heart when he sold it. I still have the original keys for it. The only Ferrari I have driven that was near its age was a 1971 365 GTB/4. There was no comparison between the two. The Ferrari was in a different league all together. I tried to get Dad to buy the Daytona but couldn't talk him in to it. The asking price was around $35,000. Oh well.

 

I had a 69 XKE coupe as a daily driver from around 86-89 and loved it. Yes, it took a lot of sorting out and yes, it stranded me many times (although I was normally able to resurrect it on the spot). Given the age and lack of computers, it is pretty easy to work on. I dropped the engine a couple of times, once to install a clutch and once for some other issue I can't remember. Since there is a strong following, parts are generally pretty easy to come by. I would highly recommend one.

 

Aston had a DB4 GT that also looked to be pretty tough to beat. The lightweight E-type had better aerodynamics than the GTO but didn't handle as well.