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New E Type owner looking for some pointers..!


Moderators: Gordon, David Brown

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Dan Spinney

Sat Nov 25 2006, 02:49PM

Registered Member #207

Joined: Wed Nov 22 2006, 11:02PM
Posts: 2

I'm a Naval Architect living in east London, and have always interested in classic cars - at school I was involved with the REME garage, fixing up an old VW Porsche 914 that a cousin of mine had left to rot in a garden for years, but sadly that proved beyond my ability (horrendous levels of rust) and I had to sell it on for a pittance - hopefully someone was able to give it what it needed.

The reason I am now writing on this forum is that I have recently had the good fortune of coming into possession of a Jaguar E Type thanks to an uncle of mine who wanted it to go to a good home. I've driven it once (an amazing experience, it really is an awesome car) but haven't yet actually taken it off his hands because I haven't sorted a good home for it yet. I'm of the mind that I want to keep it in London (I think I've found some nearby secure underground parking I can use) because that will allow me to use it more regularly to keep it going smoothly, as opposed to finding a garage up near my parents in the country where it would not get the use it deserves.

So I have a few initial thoiughts... Should I worry that the underground parking is open to the outdoors (the drop-down gate is sort of chain link, so no control of the moisture), are there any usual pitfalls with these cars that I should watch out for, am I mad to consider keeping it in London where the driving is crazy, etc etc. Any pointers or advice would be very very welcome!!

Looking forward to hearing from any of you!! Thanks, Dan

ps Hopefully meet some of you at an event, it would be amazing to take it to a track day.

Dan Spinney
+44 (0)7713 243664
Flat 5, 14 Bladud Buildings,Bath BA1 5LS, UK

Gordon

Fri Dec 01 2006, 01:04PM

Webmaster & Moderator

Registered Member #2

Joined: Wed Apr 05 2006, 10:07PM
Posts: 27

Dan Spinney wrote ...
. Should I worry that the underground parking is open to the outdoors (the drop-down gate is sort of chain link, so no control of the moisture), are there any usual pitfalls with these cars that I should watch out for, am I mad to consider keeping it in London where the driving is crazy, etc etc. Any pointers or advice would be very very welcome!! Looking forward to hearing from any of you!! Thanks, Dan ps Hopefully meet some of you at an event, it would be amazing to take it to a track day.

Hello Dan - welcome to the forum.

The biggest "threat" from moisture is when it's in a fairly confined space, and poorly vented so any dampness is retained rather than evaporating. The door that you describe is probably beneficial in that it allows better ventilation than a solid door.

As for keeping it London, there's nothing wrong with that - you'll just have to head for the country for some better roads to enjoy!

Hope that helps

Webmaster & Moderator

www.jdc-etype.org.uk

David Brown

Sat Dec 09 2006, 09:52PM

Vice Chairman & Treasurer

Registered Member #3

Joined: Thu Apr 06 2006, 08:31PM
Posts: 31

Dan, First, lucky you, getting an E Type! To address your concerns, I agree with Gordon. Better to have well ventilated storage than a closed humid garage. I would recommend having it professionally wax-oiled to give it maximum protection.

Do make sure the storage is secure. E Types have old fashioned locks dating back to when cars were not stolen....or at least not often. Also, if storage is in an underground car storage area, do ensure access routes allow easy entry and exit with no ground-clearance problems. Most cars don't have ground clearance problems but some do. Depends upon how well the exhaust system is fitted.

I totally agree with your desire to be able to use the car. They were built to be used and are at their best when used regularly.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

David

876753

Thu Aug 23 2007, 02:59PM

Registered Member #352

Joined: Wed Aug 22 2007, 07:29PM
Posts: 4

Dan, If theft is a concern, I suggest you place a discreet 'deadman' switch in series with your ignition switch, at an underdash location and then only you know where it is, and any theives can crank all day long trying to start it with no success.

Steve


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