1966 Fixed-Head Coupe Project – SOLD!
Well, I FINALLY found her a good home – wait, scratch that, a GREAT home! This project is going to a Father & Son team in Florida – we will be dropping it off in late February when we head down there to pick up ANOTHER E-Type project! These guys just finished a ’65 MGB restoration as “practice” for their dream car – a Series 1 E-Type!
“I can’t BELIEVE this old girl is still here!” – Chuck to Brent, yesterday…
WHAT ARE YOU GUYS WAITING FOR!?! This is a GREAT Series 1 E-Type project!
It has been a REALLY busy Fall and Holiday season here, and I have alot of irons in the fire. Our storage facility is about 7 miles away, and while we need to add and remove E-Type parts from there often, most of the time I ask Brent to swing by there on the way to or from lunch, and he just keeps packing all the E-Type stuff I drag home into there one load at a time…
Well, yesterday we both went over to move things around, and apparently it’s been a LONG time since I’ve been there personally! Immediately, 2 things crossed my mind:
- Holy Cow!!!! – There is ALOT of stuff here!!!
- Oh My God!!! – I keep forgetting about this Coupe!
One of you guys should have bought this car by now – it is a GREAT project car!!! I just keep forgetting that it is over there and I’m not a real pushy salesman I guess… But every time I go over there, the large pile of REALLY nice components for this car is just inside the door, and I just can’t believe someone has not snapped this up yet!
I’m pretty sure I know why, though – it’s an “ugly duckling” in its current condition. You just have to see through that – that’s why I put the photos of the completed coupe in this post. PLEASE don’t make me drag it back out, drop the main engine pieces into place, stick the seats in, clip the NOS rear wings on, and bolt on the bonnet, and then sell it on eBay in the first 3 hours! I don’t want to waste time assembling the car further just so the next guy can take it back apart first thing!
I need space and I’m ready to deal! The price is reasonable and I’m ready to find her a good home! This is a Series 1 E-Type – what everyone wants! And as a 4.2 it has a bigger engine, better seats, better brakes, and better transmission!
AND – I am able to sweeten the pot now a little bit with some better engine components. Just a couple of weeks ago, I bought some leftovers from a customer whose car came with alot of “extras” from a parted out E-Type coupe. The extra engine had a crack in the block, but he did remove the crank, rods, flywheel, harmonic balancer, etc., and this stuff is BEAUTIFUL. It is greased and wrapped in Saran wrap, and I am going to upgrade this project with this much nicer rotating assembly.
Here is the listing – it’s a New Year – stop wasting time and get into the E-Type game!
Overall Info – This is a 1966, Series 1 Fixed-head Coupe. It is a non-numbers matching project car that is complete, but also completely apart (although it is currently loosely assembled into a roller for transport.) This car was originally Opalescent Silver Grey with a light grey interior. It was built in late-December of 1965. I purchased the car earlier this Spring in Quebec, Canada, and imported the car into the US with all of the proper paperwork. This car now has a clear US title in my name from the state of Maryland.
Aside from the engine and gearbox, all parts included are from THIS car – it was just disassembled for restoration by a previous owner, and like so many other E-Types, it never got any farther than that… Because it is so complete, I’ve decided to find this car a new home before I start assembling other E-Type projects available later this year, so that I’m not tempted to start robbing parts from it – and let me tell you, there are some GREAT Series 1 E-Type parts here!
Body Shell – The monocoque body shell is original to this car and still carries its original doors and rear hatch. It has never been in a major accident. It is coming out of Canada, so it does have the typical Northeastern US rust, and will need “the usual” as far as body repairs – full floors, inner and outer sills, all sill closing panels and gussets, new boot floor, and repairs to the rear wheel arches, etc. The monocoque has been partially dissected already – the rear wings have been removed. This makes the shell look VERY daunting at the moment, but this is actually a blessing in disguise.
The car comes with two NOS (new, old stock…) rear wings (valued at $1,400 EACH) – meaning that you will be able to replace the entire rear wing for a clean, perfect rear wing versus the usual coupe curse of the rear wheel arch patch. AND – while the rear wings are off, there is great access to all of the internal panels! It also comes with an NOS boot floor. It can be sold as-is, OR as a package deal that includes EVERY SINGLE panel you will need to reuild the body shell and bonnet.
Bonnet – The bonnet is complete, but it does have rust and filler – pretty common… It is restorable – with patience and our repair panels – some off the shelf and maybe some custom pieces, you can definitely restore this one.
Engine & Gearbox – because this is NOT a numbers-matching car, it is available WITHOUT the engine and/or trans if you like. Maybe you have access to another engine and trans, an old race motor, or “something else”… The engine that we have for it is a correct 1966 E-Type engine, but it is completely apart. It was disassembled in the past to be rebuilt and like the rest of the car, that never happened. In the process of that, all items to be replaced were discarded, so there are no bearing shells, pistons and rings, etc… So you will receive the block, crank, rods, complete (and still assembled…) correct period head with cams, smooth valve covers, timing cover, water pump, pulleys, E-Type oil filter housing and oil pan, etc. The gearbox is a correct 1966 full-synchro, close-ratio E-Type unit – completely apart. OR – we have another 1966 full-synchro, close-ratio gearbox that is still assembled and beautiful inside if you would rather upgrade to that one…
Suspension and Steering – the complete front and rear suspension – and all steering components – are original to this car, in good restorable condition, and currently loosely assembled to make this car a roller.
Interior – all of the interior pieces are original to this car – it’s all there and everything under the upholstery is in decent condition – covered metal panels and seat frames are not rusted, etc.
Electricals – the entire dash is still in the car with all of the gauges and toggle switches in good restorable condition – it is all original to this car. Some (if not all) of the wiring harness is still intact, but you will want to replace that anyway. This car DOES have the rare Triplex heated rear window – the switch and escutcheon is on the dash, and the rear window glass with thin embedded wires is intact.
Chrome – MOST (if not all) of the original chrome is present and in good, straight, restorable condition.
MISSING! –
- Intake manifold and SU carbs (we DO have a complete set of 4.2 XK Webers and manifold available…) – it DOES have the complete air cleaner assembly, including air cleaner trumpet plate, fiberglass snorkel, and air cleaner canister. The original SU carbs and intake are available new now, and due to the cost of restoration and polishing, most of the shops I work with are buying the whole setup new now anyway…
- Radiator – I recommend a new aluminum unit…
- Exhaust system beyond manifolds (of course…)
So there it is – one 1966 E-Type Coupe – “all there and ALL apart” – “it HAS everything, but it also NEEDS everything” – hey, just trying to be honest. They’re scary all apart like this to the untrained eye, but you have to take it apart anyway to get started, and don’t worry – it’s all there. AND – we have TONS (literally) of E-Type parts now, so if you do run into something that’s missing down the road, just call and we’ll send one out – for free of course. PLUS – you can also take peace of mind in the fact that if you purchase an E-Type project car from me, you get “tech support for life” – no kidding, call anytime.
What all this means is that the car is REASONABLY priced – give me a ring and we’ll talk!
Based on my calculations, this car was built right around New Years 1965-66 – it is a PURE Series 1, 4.2-liter E-Type Coupe with all the trimmings – covered headlamps, toggle switches, triple carbs, full-sychro CLOSE-RATIO gearbox, the better brake pedal box with the booster, the good comfortable seats, heated rear window – for a Series 1 coupe, it just doesn’t get any better than this! All you have to do is come and get it and spend a little time out in the garage over the next few years!
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- NO – This is NOT it! I pulled this photo off the Internet to whet your appetite – and in case you need some extra help visualizing the car when completed. Because when I look at the following photos, THIS is what I see! (maybe that’s half my problem…) BY THE WAY – my compliments to whoever does own this beautiful E-Type – Silver has always been my preferred color for a coupe!
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- THIS is the car that is available. The monocoque is straight and “solid where it counts” – forward bulkhead, rear chassis legs, good tunnel, and a straight roof. This is a photo of how she looks today – partially assembled as a roller.
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- We should be able to mount the bonnet for transport, but I would REALLY prefer someone coming here and picking everything up as-is, and the price will reflect that.
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- Everything is straight and sound – the frame rails look decent and useable.
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- The LH door is off but we have it and it is the original door from this car – that can also be mounted for transport if necessary.
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- Everything is straight as it should be back here – no apparent collision damage.
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- The rear wings being off is the ONLY reason this E-Type is still around – people are scared of it in this condition. I’m telling you – don’t be – the NOS rear wings that come with it are PERFECT – I just checked them to confirm, and they were SO good that I patterned them to refer back to them on future repairs!
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- Here’s another shot of the current state – don’t forget, it also comes with an NOS boot floor.
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- Here’s the bonnet – poorly restored in the past with too much filler, but you can tear it all down and start over – God knows we do it here ALL THE TIME!
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- Another shot of the bonnet – sitting patiently up on the shelf waiting for you to come pick her up!
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- Frame rails are all there – the chassis number is stamped into the original picture frame, and the left and right frame rails are straight. Overall, this all looks good and useable.
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- The entire forward bulkhead is rust free and damage free – this is the most important part of any E-Type shell when you are asessing condition, and it is perfect on this car.
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- The second most important area is here – the rear bulkhead and rear chassis legs – also straight and rust free.
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- Everything in between and below the midline will need to be replaced – which is pretty much true of ANY E-Type project car you are going to undertake. We can supply everything you need here – including our hidden subframe kit.
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- The tunnel is solid, and while it might need a couple of small patches in the very bottom of one or two panels, it is OK – another BIG plus! All of the gauges and dash components, including the steering, are original to the car and in very good restorable condition.
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- While the bottom of the shell is rusted away, the upper regions are in great shape, and this car HAS been indoors since it was disassembled – as evidenced by the dry cardboard glove box insert.
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- Another photo of the original dash components.
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- Doors are original to this shell and straight, but will probably need repairs in the bottom of the inner shell and new skins.
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- Rear hatch is also original to this shell, rust-free, damage-free, and has the very rare and EXTREMELY hard to get “triplex electrically heated” glass.
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- The bonnet is messy, but restorable with alot of TLC.
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- There is rust in the wing-to-center flanges and these will need to be repaired with new pieces we will make for you here.
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- You will need a new lower valance (they almost always do…), but the wings, center section, and both inner valances are salvageable.
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- The complete IRS unit is intact and original to this car. Since the car came from Canada, it COULD have a special ratio, but is probably just the standard 3.54 posi-lok unit.
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- All braking components are also original and present – this has the later style pedal box with master and booster – a BIG improvement over the 3.8 bellows unit…
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- Front uprights and brakes – these are now assembled and on the car loosely so it is a roller.
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- More Suspension and steering pieces that are now temporarily installed.
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- Lots of parts – everything is there, don’t worry. And if it’s NOT, we’ll add it in – we have plenty of parts to ensure that this is a 100% complete project.
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- More original tidbits that you won’t have to scour eBay for…
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- The car does NOT have the intake and SU carbs – they are the only thing missing aside from the radiator. It DOES have the air cleaner assembly (fiberglass snorkel not shown, but it IS there.) We can supply a set of tired 4.2 XK Webers and manifold to be restored…
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- Fuel tank is either good or can be repaired, it has not had fuel in it for a LONG time, so you can stitch in a nice patch on the bottom if needed. PLus, the pickup and sending unit are there.
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- More interior tidbits, including rare interior door pull handles.
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- Lots of parts and pieces – it’s all there…
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- Good door window channels, and complete boot floor boards with ALL of the hard-to-get luggage rails.
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- GREAT Series 1 4.2 seats – these are worth a small fortune in today’s market… Plus good solid and straigh interior cantrail trim – also hard to find.
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- All chrome is there – this is straight windshield and rear hatch surround chrome.
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- COMPLETE Series 1 heater – with original squirrel cage and original fan motor.
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- These are NOS rear wings with a VERY LIGHT coating of surface rust – otherwise, they are excellent. And they’re old and I’m pretty sure original Jaguar panels – probably worth their weight in gold!
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- Rear bumpers, gearbox cover, etc.
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- Also included is this NOS boot floor – again. light surface rust, but otherwise excellent.
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- The entire interior is stripped out, but it is ALL there!
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- Here is the head that we have for it – another ’66 head, complete and in good restorable condition.
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- Here is some of the EJ close-ration full-sychro trans – it is all there, and some of the gears are new and still in the packing wax!
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- So there you have it – a small amount of vision, a medium amount of money, and a large amount of work will get you into the E-Type game! And while everyone seems to want a roadster, no one argues with the fact that the coupes have better lines! THIS is NOT the car above, but there’s no reason the car we are selling can’t look like this! And when completed, you can take pride in having built your own Series 1 4.2-liter E-Type coupe – a car that, when completed, has ALL of the BEST features that E-Types ever had to offer! Don’t wait – call quick – I’ve said it again and again and again – they go QUICK! – Chuck
