Man builds entire Jaguar Series 3 E-Type from unused factory parts
Jaguar is making some quality vehicles right now, as evidenced by the very competent XK coupe and XF sedan. However, the XF and XK have a long way to go before they can stand up to the most famous leaping cat of all: the Series 3 E-Type. The legendary roadster lived on for 13 years, with 72,529 samples sold during that time. With a little help from a treasure-trove of brand new E-Type parts, Jaguar Enthusiasts Club member Ray Parrott made it 72,530.
When Jaguar completed the E-Type's production run, the company shipped off all of the roadster's leftover parts to one E-Type fan. The owner held possession of the cache since 1974, but old age forced him to sell off the NOS parts. A friend of Parrott's purchased the parts then sold them to him. What was included? An unused V12 engine, gear box, instrument panel, body, and upholstery. In all, 95% of the parts needed to make E-Type 72,530, including original Dunlop tires. So Parrott did what any engineering whiz with a love for E-Types: he found the other 5% of parts and built the 34 year old, all new roadster. The completed E-Type is a black V12 roadster with a tan interior. Parrott is awaiting registration of his new baby, and he even built a new high-end garage next to his home to house his five E-Types. We're guessing Ray's new E-Type is worth a pretty penny. Hit the read link below to get an unabridged version of Ray's amazing tale.
[Source: Classic and Performance Car]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
From My Cube 8:10AM (12/08/2008)
Tim Taylor?
and i bet his wife just loves him for spending all that time in the garage....pretty dang sweet tho
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geo.stewart 8:27AM (12/08/2008)
8 months? wife will get over that with some nice jewelry.
Cant even begin to imagine the thrill he gets every time he is behind the wheel. Not only driving a pristine E-type but one you built from scratch yourself.
idk how much he spent but he will make a fortune if he ever needs to sell it.
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Hank 8:31AM (12/08/2008)
Nice.
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3seriesisking 10:10AM (12/08/2008)
Very nice indeed.
It's refreshing to see a little determination once in a while so congratulations to the gentleman who made this happen. I can't imagine the amount of personal satisfaction he must get for working to complete such an amazing task.
inteller 9:13AM (12/08/2008)
my god this is completely sweet. I wonder how many other cars you could do this with? I'd like a '60s Tbird.
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inteller 9:17AM (12/08/2008)
one other thing....GET THIS CAR ON TOP GEAR!
Franz 12:22PM (12/08/2008)
Top Gear? I wouldn't let those bastards anywhere near my E-Type. LOL
BVC500 9:15AM (12/08/2008)
Some guy did this too with a 300SL Gullwing.
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Alex 9:31AM (12/08/2008)
"...the most famous leaping cat of all: the Series 3 E-Type."
no, no, no, the series 1.
i'm being picky i know, but the series 1 is the one that set the world on fire and is the most famous of the three.
regardless i am completely jealous of this man
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Eric Liberatore 10:14AM (12/08/2008)
A man in Wisconsin built a Lambo Countach in his basement and had to demoslish a wall of his house to get it out.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1083186/Man-builds-Lamborghini-cellar--needs-digger-drive-out.html
(I submitted this article to Autoblog twice but they never posted it. Maybe I missed it or they don't like The Daily Mail)
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Rich 2:29PM (12/08/2008)
Who *does* like the Daily Mail?
jon.newsome 10:26AM (12/08/2008)
A series 3 E-type is the most famous Jag of all? I doubt it.
What about a C-Type or a D-Type, Series 1 E-Type, SS-100, XK 120 through 150, etc.. etc. All are more significant that a series 3 E-Type that was (at the time) seriously dated with very questionable build quality.
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cxv 11:03AM (12/08/2008)
Awesome. Enjoy your E-type.
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crispy 10:41AM (12/08/2008)
I wonder if he kept all the Lucas electricals?
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speedball3 11:53AM (12/08/2008)
This reminds me of that Johnny Cash song, "One Piece at a Time," where the guy builds his own car from parts he took from the car factory (spanning from 1949 to 1973). =) But in this case, the guy does much better than the guy from the song.
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Ray 1:05PM (12/08/2008)
That's awesome! I'd love the chance to get to drive a "new" classic.
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Lee 11:17PM (12/08/2008)
Impressive.
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