E type.

[martin]

I know there are some E Type fans on here, there's a brilliant article about them, involving Norman Dewis, in the latest "Practical Classics" well worth a read. Martin.

[Princejohny]

Good article Martin. Good magazine as well. Been my fav car mag since I bought the first issue back in 1979. Bought it cos it promised a rebuild of a Frogeye Sprite on the cover and I'd just bought one. Don't think Stags were regarded as classics then!

Johny

[robertt1948]

I know there are some E Type fans on here, there's a brilliant article about them, involving Norman Dewis, in the latest "Practical Classics" well worth a read. Martin.

Hi Martin,
Like most of us we've always fancied an E Type. Therefore, in October last year my wife hired one for us for the weekend in the Cotswolds. It was a white Series 111 drophead V12.
I think to say I was very disappointed would be a huge understatement. I think the problem lies in our satisfaction of a Stag. The E Type is 1950's technology but looks superb! It's uncomfortable, no stowage (can't travel on holiday with luggage), awful wandering brakes, I didn't feel happy at speed, even in a straight line never mind trying to corner, a bonnet you can only open if the road you're parked on is flat and horizontal, a bugger to start in the morning (takes about 10 minutes before you're firing on all 12), terrible win noise with the low screen,the list goes on. As I said, I think I've been spoilt by the Stag. The steering's good, the brakes are good, loads of stowage, feels safe at speed, comfortable seats, electric windows.
I didn't want to be disappointed but I was. Good job I had the experience before I had bought one which has always been a possibility. I likened the Jag to a TR3 with a very big engine.
Robert

[StagManiac]

Robert, it sounds to me as though the example that you drove was below par. E-types are lauded as great driving machines by most folk. Perhaps the tracking was off or there was some brake issue or the tyre pressures were off. And the engine should have started and run fine from cold - even with Strombergs! Four of them!

There was an excellent feature in Classic Cars (IIRC) too - several articles, back-to-back. I enjoyed that greatly. I don't often buy Practical Classics. CC had an article featuring Norman Dewis too, as well as a track test of Jackie Stewart's old racing E-type. What a car!

I remain a loyal Stag fan but could possibly be persuaded to move my Stag along for an E. It would need to be an early-ish roadster or possibly an FHC. A 2+2 would be out of the question. I find them to be ugly. An E alongside the Stag would be the best, for me... Better buy a lottery ticket...

Paul

[martin]

Hiya Robert, I incline to agree with Paul, your rented one must have been a poor example, however, never in a thousand years could you say they are worth what they cost ! even the V12s with their terrible electrics and lower prices are too much. It's a stunning, iconic, beautiful design, and nobody in their right mind could say they're anything less, but the E Type is a millionaires toy, the one thing they are supposed to do well, go fast, they don't do well at all, they're scary, the brakes are poor, the Moss gearbox is a nightmare, and the Jabekke car was specially prepared so that it would do the magic 150mph. It's grandfather, the D Type, did 190 mph. I love them dearly, but I'm a realist, with absolute honesty I can say I would not part with my Stag for one. Sorry for the literary wandering, but a fascinating subject. Martin.

[StagnJag]

The E Type is not for me. I guess I am in a minority, but I don't really like the way it looks, especially the saloons. Give me a Stag any day.