E Type - Cooling and Reliability

[Randompunter74]

Hi all, I am going to get an E Type when the wife and I move to Australia in a few years and wanted to understand them a little more and get a birds eye view from owners.
I know the Series 1s are the most desirable, but also the most costly. I love the shape of the series one and am not a fan of the later 2 +2 as the back end is pretty ugly. I also need reliability, so what upgrades are recommend? There are so many models and prices are all over the shop. Any recommendation?

[Randompunter74]

Just found this online, sort of answers my questions on which one to buy.

http://www.classicandsportscar.com/news/csc-featur...

[piquet]

col cat fan with shroud, ali upgraded radiator, hoses and water pump in good condition you'll be fine, i've driven mine through central london rush hour on one of the hottest days of the year without a problem. The original fans were terrible combined with lack of maintenance is the reason behind the overheating legends.

I've read that article before, a couple of points. if you're going to leave the car standard then the 4.2 over the 3.8 holds true, but almost no one does. The upgrades fix the 3.8s weaknesses, plus the 3.8 interior looks better and the engine is more fun to drive.

i've had a 2+2, the coupe and finally roadster. The 2+2 looks ungainly and doesn't handle as well but is the most practical. The coupe is the best looking but since they're only really driven on nice days my experience was everytime I was out I was hot and wished I had the roadster. The coupe although in theory has a bigger boot it rapidly obscures the rear view and because of the boot hinges can be difficult to use all then space.

If you're going to just drive it in the summer like 99% of these cars are, upgraded 3.8 roadster every time, if you're tall make sure you don;t go for the flat floor version for some reason they're more expensive but have less leg room, weirdly people think they're cool but have no idea what it means

[Randompunter74]

Thanks for the that. Greatly appreciated. I am looking to use it for mini break weekends with the wife when we move to Australia. Weekends in the Hunter Valley, which is why I was thinking Series 1 FHC. I was a little concerned that the convertible wouldn't have enough space for bags you know.. even though weekend ones.

I saw this in the UK (although sold now) and thought it would be a good combo of FHC and Convertible with the roof.

http://www.fernhurst-tvr.co.uk/car-details_classic...

[piquet]

luggage wise you'd be surprised how much goes in the roadster, i used to run a company that made fitted luggage called bespoke luggage, they're still out there somewhere, there really isn't much in it, the full roadster set was something like 5 bags plus there was still additional space, i'm pretty sure someone copied the designs and made cheaper versions. Its not the lack of space, its that the spaces are stupid shapes

I've never had a webasto but I've never heard good things about them, they end up leaking and its really not even close to the roadster experience, personally id always go for a coupe without one

[a8hex]

piquet said:

if you're tall make sure you don;t go for the flat floor version for some reason they're more expensive but have less leg room, weirdly people think they're cool but have no idea what it means

If you're tall, then go to a dealer and try sitting in one, you might be in for a nasty surprise.
I can drive a Series III with a sun roof by cocking my head to one side slightly so that the top of my head goes in the the well of the sun roof. I've never sat in a Series 1 or 2 FHC without having to tilt my head at an impossible angle that I couldn't live with. With the OTS the windscreen rail is at my eye height so I then have to decide whether to stretch up a little and look over the top or scrunch down and peer under the rail.
Once upon a time I was 6'.
Perhaps one day Anno Domini will shrink my spine to a level where I can drive an E-Type comfortably.
There are solutions out there, the seats can be lowered to make more head room.

[Randompunter74]

Thanks for the advice. Good to know.

I am 6ft so I will go and sit in one and see what happens. Sounds like the Roadster might be the way to go then. Nightmare. That was my initial choice but after reading articles many recon the Coupe was the way to go.

Thing is, I only like the shape of the Series 1. I cant stand the lights on the Series 2 and 3. I am not sure if its possible to change the lights on a Series 2 or 3...to close them to look like the Series 1 or not without any cutting. I would only do it if it were easy to replace the light lens. Not really bothered what purists might think, if its a simple lens and cover change then rock n roll.

[piquet]

Randompunter74 said:

Thing is, I only like the shape of the Series 1. I cant stand the lights on the Series 2 and 3. I am not sure if its possible to change the lights on a Series 2 or 3...to close them to look like the Series 1 or not without any cutting. I would only do it if it were easy to replace the light lens. Not really bothered what purists might think, if its a simple lens and cover change then rock n roll.

if you're talking about the front lights, you can get kits to convert the front lights to faired in for series 1.5, 2 and 3

[Wacky Racer]

I'd go for a 4.2 Mk 2 Roadster around 1968/9 for practicality personally.

Anything much earlier than 1965 can be a total money pit, having said that they are the most desirable in most enthusiasts eyes.

Roadster every time though, irrespective of year.