E-Type hardtop for 4-5 grand?
Discussion
Was browsing on eBay a few weeks back for E-Types parts, which btw even on eBay aren't for those looking for a bargain, and noticed an E-Type hardtop for around 5 grand. I don't know know why they go for but 5k is absolutely mad. Prices for classic accessories - parts, are getting more sillier than the cars themselves.
Incidentally I have an hardtop for a JPR Wildcat I have, though in no way an original E-Type hardtop (not even close); anyone know what model of car they were taken from, or where they specially made for that particular kit?. I know the Challenger E-Type used original series 1 harddtops, why the Wildcat dosent I don't know, maybe because they're too expensive or don't fit.
Incidentally I have an hardtop for a JPR Wildcat I have, though in no way an original E-Type hardtop (not even close); anyone know what model of car they were taken from, or where they specially made for that particular kit?. I know the Challenger E-Type used original series 1 harddtops, why the Wildcat dosent I don't know, maybe because they're too expensive or don't fit.
Welcome to the World of supply and demand!
E-Type hard tops are I suspect, pretty rare and hard to come by, and for some owners are a "must have item", so if they really want one, they have to pay the price.
If they think the price is too high (just as you do), then they either have to try to get it for a lower price, give up on the idea of having one, or go to the expense of having one custom made (which more often than not would cost a lot more than the price of an original part).
I've got a rare folding soft top targa roof panel for a Ferrari 348 TS/GTS/355 GTS that I'm going to put up for sale soon.
I know how rare they are, and I know how useful they are to have in the car for tall drivers who can't have the original hard top behind the seats, so based on that, I have a price in mind that I will accept for the part.
If the part was mass produced and easy to come by, or if it were not a sought after part by owners, then I'd price it a lot lower than the price I have in Mind. But "supply & demand" allows Me to ask a higher price than some owners would be happy to pay - Basically, sooner or later there will be an owner who will decide it's worth the cost to them (and I'm in no hurry to sell - I can afford to sit on it and wait if need be), and I suspect it's exactly the same for the seller of the E-Type hard top.
You think £4~£5K is crazy money for an E-Type hardtop - So out of interest, how much do you believe they should sell for?
E-Type hard tops are I suspect, pretty rare and hard to come by, and for some owners are a "must have item", so if they really want one, they have to pay the price.
If they think the price is too high (just as you do), then they either have to try to get it for a lower price, give up on the idea of having one, or go to the expense of having one custom made (which more often than not would cost a lot more than the price of an original part).
I've got a rare folding soft top targa roof panel for a Ferrari 348 TS/GTS/355 GTS that I'm going to put up for sale soon.
I know how rare they are, and I know how useful they are to have in the car for tall drivers who can't have the original hard top behind the seats, so based on that, I have a price in mind that I will accept for the part.
If the part was mass produced and easy to come by, or if it were not a sought after part by owners, then I'd price it a lot lower than the price I have in Mind. But "supply & demand" allows Me to ask a higher price than some owners would be happy to pay - Basically, sooner or later there will be an owner who will decide it's worth the cost to them (and I'm in no hurry to sell - I can afford to sit on it and wait if need be), and I suspect it's exactly the same for the seller of the E-Type hard top.
You think £4~£5K is crazy money for an E-Type hardtop - So out of interest, how much do you believe they should sell for?
The last few I have seen for sale have gone for between £1750 and £3000ish, mainly in a state which would necessitate a respray and corrective work.
There is an OKish reproduction hardtop sold by SNG Barrett for around £800, but it probably wouldn't do for the kind of completist/originalist "beard" who has dropped north of £100k on restoring or buying a pristine OTS.
And £5K+ to extend the driving season isn't bad value in that context.
There is an OKish reproduction hardtop sold by SNG Barrett for around £800, but it probably wouldn't do for the kind of completist/originalist "beard" who has dropped north of £100k on restoring or buying a pristine OTS.
And £5K+ to extend the driving season isn't bad value in that context.
Ridiculous price ! i have an as new one in my shed which i fitted once on my E Type many years ago, yes they look nice, but they scratch the bodywork, and are simply not worth the money thats being asked for them, i took it off and its been in the shed ever since... likewise a surrey top for a TR4/5, crazy money being asked for these also, but i guess all the time time people are prepared to pay this kind of money then the asking price will get even higher.
The surrey top (actually the bit I think we're talking about is the 'backlight' – the surrey top is just the canvas bit that keeps the rain out) is quite a good solution though, I think it's good to have. I've bought a hard-top for my TR on the basis that I might get to use the car more frequently in winter (i.e. I might persuade my wife into it more often). But it only cost £200 to buy. (And then the rest to be sprayed, trimmed etc... 
)
)But also be very careful. A friend bought an E-type hard top for £1,800 from Ebay last year but it turned out to be a fraud. He lost his money.
I can't find the picture now, but the greatest hard top of all for an E-type was the Ashley one and I spent 20 years looking to buy one. I've given up on it because research proved they made very few. One removed the boot lid and it turned the convertible into a great-looking and spacious GT. Here a picture of a Spitfire to give you a clue as to how it looked:-
Ashley hard top by Tony Brown, on Flickr
ETA: I found this horrible grainy photo on the 'net, but it will give you the idea.
Ashley E-type by Tony Brown, on Flickr
I can't find the picture now, but the greatest hard top of all for an E-type was the Ashley one and I spent 20 years looking to buy one. I've given up on it because research proved they made very few. One removed the boot lid and it turned the convertible into a great-looking and spacious GT. Here a picture of a Spitfire to give you a clue as to how it looked:-
Ashley hard top by Tony Brown, on FlickrETA: I found this horrible grainy photo on the 'net, but it will give you the idea.
Ashley E-type by Tony Brown, on FlickrEdited by lowdrag on Tuesday 20th February 08:31
I was desperate for a hardtop for my MK1 TT roadster some years back, in black for my red car. Obviously black will go with any colour car, so they tended to be more expensive. £1000 was not uncommon.
I spent years looking and eventually had a brainwave. I thought I would look at all black TT roadsters for sale on Autotrader that had one. I phoned the first one and she sold it to me for £325 with the crucial rear mounting points.
I couldn't get over there fast enough to collect it :-)
I spent years looking and eventually had a brainwave. I thought I would look at all black TT roadsters for sale on Autotrader that had one. I phoned the first one and she sold it to me for £325 with the crucial rear mounting points.
I couldn't get over there fast enough to collect it :-)
I love a series one with a hard top
I bought an SNG repro which apart from the headlining material (I believe) it's identical and utilises all the original chromes.
Been fitted up and I shall be fitting it to the car in a couple of weeks
I also fitted one to my S3 Etype. All in black it looks awsome
I bought an SNG repro which apart from the headlining material (I believe) it's identical and utilises all the original chromes.
Been fitted up and I shall be fitting it to the car in a couple of weeks
I also fitted one to my S3 Etype. All in black it looks awsome
Edited by vpr on Sunday 10th February 19:31
My 1998 SL320 has a Pano hard top. I believe they go for around £2K on e-bay.
Athough a little bit sought after for the R129, not extremely rare, and far more numerous than a hard top for a E-type I would suspect.
So I guess £5K dosn't sound that far of the mark ?
Old cars.... not a cheap hobby !
Athough a little bit sought after for the R129, not extremely rare, and far more numerous than a hard top for a E-type I would suspect.
So I guess £5K dosn't sound that far of the mark ?
Old cars.... not a cheap hobby !
lowdrag said:
And if you're not careful you'll find that when you take it off you'll have a nice ring of scratches on the rear scuttle where it has moved slightly!
Yup. My dad had a new E with a hard top not often fitted but caused a mark as you say. My plan will be to lay a strip of clear PPF around the body where the rubber sits but tbh I’m not worried about marks in the S1
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