3.8s CKD from South Africa on E bay.

[cass3958]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1966-Jaguar- ... Sw0LldjM~o

Claims it is fully restored and wants £22k for it but he then adds "Fully restored, minus paint job" ?????????

How can it be fully restored then????

If you look at the paint work not only is it chipped and scratched but all the sills are rotten and the lower front wings. You can actually see the sills bulging out. There is rust all around the front windscreen, the scuttle flap is a different colour and the wire wheels need refurbishing. There is rust everywhere we would expect to see rust on a rusty car and we know what lies behind that surface rust. Yes that's right more rust. I hope he does get £22k for it as it will show our cars are going up quicker than we thought.

The Latin phrase "Caveat emptor" comes to mind though when I see rust in the sills. To finish what he has started ie. the paint and bodywork he is looking down the barrel of a loaded shotgun with the guy holding it asking him for £15k minimum so that puts the price up to £37k. I don't think so.

Trying to contact him for more details and to see if it is on the register.

[cass3958]

So I get an Email back from this guy selling the S Type which reads;

I'm assuming you want to know the work that's been done. Here's the list. It's quite extensive!

Water hose
Rear pinion oil seal
Antifreeze
Clutch master cylinder
Clutch lit Borg & Beck
Clutch flexible hose
Master cylinder fitting kits
Brake flexible hoses
Brake caliper kits
Brake caliper piston kits
Complete Brake master cylinder reservoir
Brake master cylinder
Brake master cylinder fitting kit
Brake pipe
Clutch and brake fluid
Exhaust centre support
Brand new fuel tanks
Brand new fuel pumps
Fuel filter element
Fuel tank bungs/filters and seals
Carburettor rebuild kits
Carburettor float
Fuel tank sender units
Filter cup seals
Brake servo
Bled brakes and clutch
Lubricated and freed stuck valves
Points and condenser
Reset carbs and timing
Exhaust fire rings
Starter spring
Exhaust clamps
Regulator

I just need to change the brake and side lights over & fit new battery and she's like brand new again!

I wish I knew that this list is all you need to do to a car to give it a full restoration before I started mine. Would have saved me a fortune.

[NigelW]

"I just need to change the brake and side lights over & fit new battery and she's like brand new again!"

[NigelW]

I couldn't leave this one alone so had to message him and ask for some photos of the engine etc, this was the reply:

Ni Nigel,

I've maybe been a bit over zelaous with my wording. It's had a hell of a service. Not really restored.

The body has been solid from day one. There is surface rust on the roof, but that's about it. No welding of the body work has been undertaken.

All panels are original.

The engine and gearbox were both seized, so they were freed. The brakes have been been fully refurbished.

It features prominently in a book on Jaguar S Types by James Taylor

I only have small photos of it - not the actual book I'm afraid (attached)

I only have images before work has been carried out.

I also have images and videos of the work being done on a USB stick.

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So there you have it, "Caveat emptor" as Rob says.

[cass3958]

Nigel I had the same reply along with the following information.

Frame number is B1B59409DN (as per the V5)
Engine Number is 7B647448 (as per the V5)

This car was manufactured in the UK and exported to South Africa, then re-imported circa 1993.

Silver is the original colour

I have checked the register and this RHD 3.8s is not on there so I have sent the details to David. I have also checked the James Taylor book which I have and yes it is detailed in there. There are some nice photos of the car from before it started to go down hill. I think he is a little ambitious when he asks £22k for it not trying to put it down as it does have history but it is not worth more than £10k and I certainly would not offer anything over £6k for it bearing in mind the work that needs to be done to it. Changing those lights over might cost a fortune.........lol..
When he stated

No welding of the body work has been undertaken.

he should have added "YET"
Seriously if the engine and gearbox were both seized and have been freed but no further work done what damage has been caused to them. When he says

There is surface rust on the roof, but that's about it.

he obviously needs the services of one of my guide dog puppies as even I can see the rust coming through on the sills and around the front window frame in the photos he has posted.

[cass3958]

So to continue the owner also has this S Type for sale on https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1109979 at £23495. Same description in that advert apart from the added.

"I also have an extensive array of images during restoration."

Photos of what? Someone doing an oil change!

In the last email to me after I asked about the seized engine he has stated.

I'll ask for clarification regarding the engine and gearbox. It will only need a re-spray for sure. There's a chap locally who is a Jag specialist. He's just overhauled my friend's E-Type and it looks the business.

The work has not been carried out by myself, but by Trevor at Gable's Garage locally to me. He knows his onions.

I really wish him luck in selling the car for £23495 but what does that make mine worth? £50k!