2010-09-20 20:44:27 | pauls writes:

Ebay item 9/20/10
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Opening bid $15,000, no reserve, no bids yet 6 days left in auction.

Sellers description:
1974 E-Type Roadster 5.3 V12 Series III Vintage Race Car Project

Here is an unusual opportunity to finish a truly grand race car. The hardest work has been done (and done correctly with all the right parts) by a life-long Jaguar collector and racer. Certain constraints and other life issues have forced the owner/builder to offer this car to the market in its nearly complete, unfinished state. The owner has drawn upon a deep wealth of knowledge and experience with Jags of all types to put together the best components for a reliable, safe and competitive vintage racing machine. It was built for himself, with passion and the intention of being raced and kept for life; it shows in every detail of the construction.

This project began with a rust-free monocoque tub, which was meticulously reworked on a rotisserie and fully seam-welded for maximum stiffness and strength. In all, it represents about $30,000 in investment, plus an unbelievable 3000 hours of expert shop time to rework the body, rebuild/re-work the suspension and rebuild the motor. No shortcuts were taken and nothing was rushed, the project having been begun fifteen years ago!

Consider the detailing: The very rigid carbon fiber bonnet (stronger than steel, and weighing in at an incredible 33 lbs, versus 184 for the stock item). The all Heim-jointed and nickel-plated suspension. Most components, including the rear half-shafts and the front sub-frame, were powder coated for beauty and durability. The rear haunches have been widened about 4” to cover the increased rear track. The results are all steel, and blend seamlessly. Then, the extra mile was trudged to meticulously cut and rework the rear bumper pieces to blend into the flared bodywork; about 20 cuts and welds in each piece, painstakingly finished (they are only taped on for the pictures; they are arrow straight despite appearance!). In the boot is a smoothly integrated set of trick cooling ducts for the rear inboard brakes, exiting at the rear license plate area for best extraction and a subtle appearance. It was all built to compete, yet retains the tradition of brutal grace that makes Jaguars so special. The beautiful tuned headers pipes have equal and optimal 31-inch lengths, feeding into twin straight-pipes (per side!). The headers exit through neatly finished cut-outs in the body work and they have small cross-pipes at the correct point.

The engine is a fresh 5.3 dry-sump, rebuilt from the crank up, and never fired-up. It must be mentioned here that NOT included in the sale are the impressive Webers in the photos, along with their manifolds. Car will be sold with proper original-type Strombergs in good condition. If desired, buyer can negotiate separately for purchase of the Webers, manifolds, and a ton of extra parts for them (jets, needle valves, emulsion tubes, etc., etc., all in NOS condition. Buyer will also have the option of purchasing separately the “spare” engine. This second engine, a very high-performance V12, unassembled, is a complete kit that includes all bearings, gaskets, Carillo-type rods, Aries 13:1 forged pistons, and more. Estimated power for the second engine: 500hp.

Car rolls on true 3-piece Gotti wheels, 9.5 x 15. These are classics themselves now, and have a genuine vintage look that suits the car very well. The centers were powder coated in black and new bolts were used. There are extra Gotti centers, in different widths, that come with the car. The Goodyear Blue Streaks are older and should be replaced for racing.

Stored for fifteen years, the overall condition of the car appears nearly new: Paint and general condition of all the finished portions show no wear, except for a small dent at the cowl on the right side, just behind the bonnet shut-line (visible in photos). Still on paper is a matching “V12” decal, ready to apply to the 'passenger' side door. There is no rust on the car anywhere.

A partial list of components fitted this car follows:
25 gallon fuel cell ; Weaver 4 stage dry sump pump ; Mooneyes 5 gallon oil tank ; Aluminum radiator ; Tilton gear-reduction starter ; light-weight alternator ; Custom made chromed upper water rail ; Carbon fiber hood (comes with a stock grille with stick-pin); Tilton adjustable brake system ; AP front calipers (correct per production specs, listed as an alternative) ; JFZ 4 pot rear calipers ; 12x 1.25 vented rotor disc brakes front and rear ; Racing torsion bars; 375# (x4) springs used for rear ; Six (6) Koni aluminum double adjustable coil over shocks used (4 in rear) ; Rubber mounts eliminated everything replaced with Heim joints ; Drag links corrected to eliminate bump steer ; Rear differential integral with rollcage ; 3.54 gear ratio limited-slip diff ; Kirkley aluminum layback racing seat ; Original Smiths tach with Stewart-Warner 2.5” ancillary gauges (oil temp, oil press, water temp) set in a custom crafted aluminum panel ; Wink mirror ; 9.5 Gotti 3 piece wheels, spare wheel halfs ( six 6 1/2 inch, two 7 1/2 inch, two 8 1/2 inch, two spare center caps) ; 5x5 bolt pattern hubs used with 3/4in. lugs ; Rear brake ducts installed to cool inboard brakes (2x 4" ducts and 2x 2.5 inch ducts directed to rear license area) ; Rear trunk floor replaced to provide maximum ground effects and extraction of hot brake air ; All seams continuously welded for maximum chassis strength ; NAS/grade 8 bolts and hardware used thoughout ; Suspension nickel plated ; Rear axle shafts powder painted ; Front sub frame powder painted.

If you have read this far and looked at the photos, you can see that there is a helluva lot of quality machinery here, offered at a low opening bid price. There is no reserve beyond the minimum bid price, and no low-ball offers will be entertained.

This car requires final assembly and finishing. It will NOT be driven onto your trailer and raced next weekend. It is a project for a knowledgeable and experienced adult; others need not apply! The successful bidder will buy a huge head start in sourcing nearly everything (the BEST of everything) necessary to have a unique, competitive, zero-mile race car that has the potential to eviscerate the competition with blistering torque and a well-developed chassis. The awed stares and gaping jaws at the sight of this beautiful cat will be the icing on the cake!

VIN# UE 1S 25554 ; Body# 4S 8424