Famous-owned E-Types: where are they now?
Discussion
I seem to find that some famous E-Type owners, particularly in the past, there is little to know info about said car they owned apart from maybe a period photo of them with it. Example is Tony Curtis who apparently owned a series 1.5 roadster presumably in the late 60s. I can only find one photo of him with it, the often shown one where hes sitting on the bonnet outside Browns Lane (I think). Apart from that there's nothing else I can find abotf his E-Type nor what became of it. The reg number dosent come up anywhere on sites like xkedata. Same can be said for Charlton Heston's E-Type.
Remember that looking for many cars of this era is a hopeless task since they went to the scrapyard many years ago. Take Humber for instance; when was the last time you saw any model of that make? Surprisingly though it is estimated that 60% of all E-types still exist so that is about 45,000 out of 72,000 made.. Adam Faith had from memory one of the first ten, Bruce McLaren's #15 was sold recently, George Best's car can easily be found on the internet, and so on. Starting around 850660 in 1963 you have the 12 lightweights all of which have illustrious histories and famous owners at one time. Therre are the three low drag coupés too. I'm sure others will reply and fill in some of the gaps.
I'm familiar with most of those people having owned an E-Type. George Best's car comes up alot as does a few photos of the others with their Es, but as far as more info about said car, ie if it's still around etc, there doesn't appear to be much to go on. For someone as famous as Elton John I haven't seen any other photos or videos of him with the E-Type he owned, unless he never drove it much. Same with George Harrison. Didn't George Harrison own another E-Type? (I think it was a roadster).
LetsTryAgain said:
77 RW
That's a fairly famous one though - I know nothing about E-types but recognise that one. It was in a series of photos from Gaydon posted here the other day, and it turns up at Oulton Park quite regularly too. I've got a book about 9600HP that I must get around to reading one day.Edited by droopsnoot on Thursday 26th April 10:39
George Harrisons E-type was reg 499 HLX, currently sorned, MOT expired Sep 2015. George was a famous petrol head, his older brothers Harry and Pete worked in a car paint shop in Liverpool before he hit the big time. Harry managed the paint shop and Pete was a sprayer. When George moved to Henley in 1970 the families went with him, Harry was the estate manager and Pete the gardens manager, they both had houses in the grounds. George had some fantastic cars, some are still up in the garages at Friar Park although never used these days. I know he used to give his brothers some of his old cars, Harry was presented with Georges MkII Jag (29 XPP) in 1964, when it came time for a new clutch in 1968 he baulked at the price the local garage wanted to charge so he traded it in for a Vauxhall Ventora as it was a cheaper option! Harry was also into motorcycles in a big way, he had some vintage beauties that he restored, Pete used to paint them for him. Harry had some Royal Enfield wheels re spoked with new rims for me back in the day, a lovely family. Sadly Harry's now the only surviving brother.
Wacky Racer said:
Guessing he had it shipped over, or he ordered it US spec but collected it from factory while working over here at the time on a film etc., and had it UK registered. (The Persauders wasn't filmed here in UK until 1970-71 so it wasn't while he was over here doing that)
Edited by aeropilot on Friday 27th April 12:03
lowdrag said:
Remember that looking for many cars of this era is a hopeless task since they went to the scrapyard many years ago. Take Humber for instance; when was the last time you saw any model of that make? Surprisingly though it is estimated that 60% of all E-types still exist so that is about 45,000 out of 72,000 made.. Adam Faith had from memory one of the first ten, Bruce McLaren's #15 was sold recently, George Best's car can easily be found on the internet, and so on. Starting around 850660 in 1963 you have the 12 lightweights all of which have illustrious histories and famous owners at one time. Therre are the three low drag coupés too. I'm sure others will reply and fill in some of the gaps.
‘when was the last time you saw any model of that make’, just sold mine! 1928 14/40 saloon.Sadly the worst car that I have ever owned. Mechanical issues
Getting back to the topic, I recall the ‘Simon Day’ program featured an E Type in the opening titles.
crankedup said:
...I recall the ‘Simon Day’ program featured an E Type in the opening titles.
Simon Dee? Yes
Simon Day? I doubt it
lowdrag said:
I don't think Mike ever owned an E-type. I researched chassis 27 years back for Walter Hill and he drove it but didn't buy it. He was far too tall to fit in one.
I seem to recall that he owned at least two.The one I was offered was a green fhc from memory.
It was a few years ago and I've forgotten most of the details, green may not have been its original colour. I think Mike was the second owner, buying it from someone else well known. I did a bit of research at the time but the memory banks can't recall it all now.
Edited by mph on Friday 27th April 08:23
Edited by mph on Friday 27th April 08:24
aeropilot said:
Wacky Racer said:
Guessing he had it shipped over, or he ordered it US spec but collected it from factory while working over here at the time on a film etc., and had it UK registered. (The Persauders wasn't filmed here in UK until 1970-71 so it was while he was over here doing that)
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