E-Type as daily driver?
Discussion
Definately possible,
you may find you miss the modern luxuries - power steering, air con, effective brakes.... Even syncro-mesh on 1st if you want an early one.
I suspect you will need a very good one for it to be reliable and I would expect to be wielding a rust proof spray/injection kit annually.
If you are serious rather than just dreaming then there are lots of resources to taop into for the common failures and improvements suggests.
Lots of sensible reasons not too, but lots of people here will appaul if you do.
you may find you miss the modern luxuries - power steering, air con, effective brakes.... Even syncro-mesh on 1st if you want an early one.
I suspect you will need a very good one for it to be reliable and I would expect to be wielding a rust proof spray/injection kit annually.
If you are serious rather than just dreaming then there are lots of resources to taop into for the common failures and improvements suggests.
Lots of sensible reasons not too, but lots of people here will appaul if you do.
Cars like being used 
In the summer months, I drive the Stag 3-4 times a week, even take it to work, and it loves it. The suspension stays lubricated and doesn't squeak, the engine gets more responsive, and it actually stays more reliable than only using it one every week or fortnight.
I wouldn't want to run it through the winter though with all the salt on the roads, otherwise I'd be needing new sills and floors every five years.
In the summer months, I drive the Stag 3-4 times a week, even take it to work, and it loves it. The suspension stays lubricated and doesn't squeak, the engine gets more responsive, and it actually stays more reliable than only using it one every week or fortnight.I wouldn't want to run it through the winter though with all the salt on the roads, otherwise I'd be needing new sills and floors every five years.
I don’t know much about E-Types as they are sadly out of my league financially, but I would have thought that the same principles will appy as to any other car of the era (I drive a 1970 Volvo Amazon all year round).
Get a LOT of rust proofing done – inside sills, doors (mind those drain holes, now) and every other nook, cranny and space you can possibly imagine on the car.
Make sure there are no water leaks... a lack of moisture in the car will mean you won’t experience bad misting up problems.
Keep the ignition components, battery and charging system in good order to avoid the dreaded whurr, whurr, whuurrrrrrr, click (I call it the Winter Symphony in M-Minor) on a Monday morning when you’re late for work and don’t need the hassle.
Accept the fact that you don’t really need all the modern luxuries & gadgets that modern cars are festooned with and you’ll be fine.
People get far too precious about their classics – cars need to be used. Personally, I find the idea of a filthy, salt & grit covered E-Type quite appealing. Drive your car, enjoy it, and revel in the envy of the identikit diesel German barge brigade.
Get a LOT of rust proofing done – inside sills, doors (mind those drain holes, now) and every other nook, cranny and space you can possibly imagine on the car.
Make sure there are no water leaks... a lack of moisture in the car will mean you won’t experience bad misting up problems.
Keep the ignition components, battery and charging system in good order to avoid the dreaded whurr, whurr, whuurrrrrrr, click (I call it the Winter Symphony in M-Minor) on a Monday morning when you’re late for work and don’t need the hassle.
Accept the fact that you don’t really need all the modern luxuries & gadgets that modern cars are festooned with and you’ll be fine.
People get far too precious about their classics – cars need to be used. Personally, I find the idea of a filthy, salt & grit covered E-Type quite appealing. Drive your car, enjoy it, and revel in the envy of the identikit diesel German barge brigade.
Olivero said:
How crazy would I have to be to consider an E-Type as a daily driver?
It wouldn't be my only car but would be well used.
Are there 'upgrades' that would make the whole idea more realistic/practical?
Why do you think it wouldn't be realistic or practical? Many people use classics day in and day out. So no reason an E-Type can't.It wouldn't be my only car but would be well used.
Are there 'upgrades' that would make the whole idea more realistic/practical?
Electronic ignition might be worthwhile for less hassle but can't really see anything else.
I have prepared E Types for commuting use for clients, always happy to do so as the car is superb for the job, well at least the coupe is, the roadster is not water tight.
You can subtly modernise a series one or two coupe with the following, without in any way spoiling the car:
Proper cooling fan, properly controlled.
A modern alternator conversion as all the standard ones struggle to produce a charge with the cooling fan running in traffic.
Decent electronic ignition. Modern starter motor.
To complete the package the clutch should be upgraded to a later diaphragm one.
Spray the engine frame, bonnet/wing flanges and front suspension with BMW style engine bay protection wax. Do the same under the back, mind the discs! When servicing the rear brakes, fit a remote bleed pipe.
All you then have to do is fit some decent adjustable shock absorbers all round and you have a commutable track day alpine tourer - perfect.
You can subtly modernise a series one or two coupe with the following, without in any way spoiling the car:
Proper cooling fan, properly controlled.
A modern alternator conversion as all the standard ones struggle to produce a charge with the cooling fan running in traffic.
Decent electronic ignition. Modern starter motor.
To complete the package the clutch should be upgraded to a later diaphragm one.
Spray the engine frame, bonnet/wing flanges and front suspension with BMW style engine bay protection wax. Do the same under the back, mind the discs! When servicing the rear brakes, fit a remote bleed pipe.
All you then have to do is fit some decent adjustable shock absorbers all round and you have a commutable track day alpine tourer - perfect.
My thinking is that it makes most sense to keep the car on the road 9 months of the year. For three months of the year it wouldn't be used, this way I avoid the worst of the winter weather (especially ice/snow) and it also gives me a chance to tinker each year. I am handy with a spanner and have worked on old cars in the past.
The idea is to improve the car slowly where needed and when it doesn't change the overall character. So, yes to AC and better brakes, possibly change to more modern ignition system, and a big no to an engine transplant. What I would want to end up with is a car that is better function wise than when it came out of the factory but not necessarily faster. I would hope the biggest improvement would come in general reliability.
Good to hear the main recommendation for weatherproofing/under seal, this will be done first!
The idea is to improve the car slowly where needed and when it doesn't change the overall character. So, yes to AC and better brakes, possibly change to more modern ignition system, and a big no to an engine transplant. What I would want to end up with is a car that is better function wise than when it came out of the factory but not necessarily faster. I would hope the biggest improvement would come in general reliability.
Good to hear the main recommendation for weatherproofing/under seal, this will be done first!
Flatinfourth said:
I have prepared E Types for commuting use for clients, always happy to do so as the car is superb for the job, well at least the coupe is, the roadster is not water tight.
You can subtly modernise a series one or two coupe with the following, without in any way spoiling the car:
Proper cooling fan, properly controlled.
A modern alternator conversion as all the standard ones struggle to produce a charge with the cooling fan running in traffic.
Decent electronic ignition. Modern starter motor.
To complete the package the clutch should be upgraded to a later diaphragm one.
Spray the engine frame, bonnet/wing flanges and front suspension with BMW style engine bay protection wax. Do the same under the back, mind the discs! When servicing the rear brakes, fit a remote bleed pipe.
All you then have to do is fit some decent adjustable shock absorbers all round and you have a commutable track day alpine tourer - perfect.
Thanks for the detailed info, this is just what I was thinking of so great to hear what is most useful.You can subtly modernise a series one or two coupe with the following, without in any way spoiling the car:
Proper cooling fan, properly controlled.
A modern alternator conversion as all the standard ones struggle to produce a charge with the cooling fan running in traffic.
Decent electronic ignition. Modern starter motor.
To complete the package the clutch should be upgraded to a later diaphragm one.
Spray the engine frame, bonnet/wing flanges and front suspension with BMW style engine bay protection wax. Do the same under the back, mind the discs! When servicing the rear brakes, fit a remote bleed pipe.
All you then have to do is fit some decent adjustable shock absorbers all round and you have a commutable track day alpine tourer - perfect.
Alpine Tourer is the car I need and am aiming for.
exkay said:
How many of these guys actually "OWN" E Types i wonder ? some funny old ideas coming out.
One of the best cars in the world, without a doubt, had both mine forever and never get tired of driving/looking at them, every day i still marvel at them both.
Have you done much (other than general maintenance) to keep them going?One of the best cars in the world, without a doubt, had both mine forever and never get tired of driving/looking at them, every day i still marvel at them both.
exkay said:
Obviously there`s oil changes,plugs and generall stuff to do, but really they dont need a lot doing to them, i find that there easy to look after.
An e type can be easy to manage as a weekend car, but sitting on the wild west way in the pi@@ing rain in A november evening rushour in a fogged up S1 coupe with lights and wipers on, overheating because the whirring bent ruler won't cool the radiator unless you rev the engine to stop the thing discharging the battery, and if you do rev it the bent ruler really wont keep up! So, you sit there lights and wipers off to get the fan! That's the reason so many older cars have ammeters remember... So you can choose! In fact, had all the same symptoms, and fixes for a Ferrari 365 last year. All of this stuff is amusing on a weekend outing, but not if you have to get back in the following morning. My set of upgrade choices fixes the whole lot, without spoiling the essence of what is a simply beautiful piece of engineering and styling.
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