The Jag V12 in any form is one of the world’s iconic engines, but it has strengths and weaknesses like anything else. The version that went into the E-Type has four carbs, while the later XJS version had fuel injection. Aside from lacking the obvious benefits of EFI, the Etype engine had a very early electronic ignition system, which had to be located very close to the distributor due to limitations of early 70s electronics. So it was mounted in the v between the cylinder banks, and suffered from heat failure. The cooling system was another weak spot. A Jag V12 is actually two sixes mated to a common crank. One pump supplies water to both sides, but each head has its own outlet and thermostat. The gauge sensor is on the right bank, so if the left thermostat fails, half the engine overheats with little warning. Overheating an all aluminum open deck engine is always serious. Aside from these gotchas, the engine is bulletproof.

As for weight, it’s actually simular to the iron block 6 it replaced. And while it’s no more powerful on paper, all the V12s were net HP rated, as opposed to the sixes, which were from the era of imaginary gross HP. So the V12 is a substantial improvement. Later engines had improved heads, various displacements, various compression ratios. So swapping parts can buy you performance.

Never go into an Etype project on the expectation of making money, or even remaining solvent. These cars were badly maintained in an age when no US mechanic had a clue about side draft carbs ir the nuances of British cooling systems. An the rust problems are significant. Specialists abound, but they change a lot. So go into it for the joy of owning something special, and say goodbye to all your mad money.

I would spend the money to get a rust free body before going at a car with a lot of rust. I have spent the time and effort on rust before. At my age there will not be another substantial restoration anyways. I do not mind a fairly light one. If I can find the time.

That's not true. I read of lots of cars in Europe starting life in the us.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Wouldn't be surprise if his heirs are one day selling yet another barn find.

The most interesting example of that I personally saw was this 1950 Ferrari 166MM Barchetta:



May as well post the link to my thread where I saw the car at the Palo Alto Concours in '07. The link to the barn find thread about it is in the first paragraph, and the link in that thread to the newspaper article still works:

The Palo Alto Concours: I came, I saw . . .

As an aside, the remark of Enzo Ferrari about the E type being the most beautiful auto ever was gracious but I disagree. My choice for that is the model that can be seen further down the page: the late 60s Ferrari 330GTC. Not the baddest looking Ferrari ever but just cool to my eyes. The right combo of power, visibility and plain V12 badness. That model was featured in one scene of the Movie Grand Prix.

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Yes, I believe that the Enzo Ferrari character drove it.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

He said it and I have no ideal of why. He knows his way around the world as he was a senior intelligence officer for the Canadian air force for the majority of his career we suspect. Plus he has never once commented on what he did. Other than early in his career when he was involved with helicopters. Even our daughter is quiet about whatever he did.

Now I wonder just how he got the car. He was the principle guy as only a captain or major probably way back then. For rescuing the workers on an offshore rig with a helicopter in really adverse conditions. The British rescue system could not handle. It made him pretty popular over there at the time.

We only suspect his later status because we were subject to serious security checks after he married our daughter. Even our neighbors got questioned. Plus he was almost always out of the country for about half of each year. Canada has no bases in places like Russia and other places where he was for periods of time. Or was it involved in any kind of peace keeping duties in them. He also spent time in Colorado quite often..

I just checked the current regulations and it appears to be no issue. It actually appears cheaper to return a vehicle that was originally sold there. As his was.

Other than If a car is considered too old or does not meet certain emission requirements. You cannot import it back to the UK is about the only thing I found in the import regulations . That might have applied to his statement. If that was in effect at the time we had the conversation.

Actually whatever his job was it formed a certain barrier between us. He Is a good family man. He totally retired last year so I can think of no issue that prevents me from giving an indication of his probable character. Or what he may have been engaged in.

Well regulations can change so it may have been different then or you might have to know what to ask for to get it done, but a huge number of MGs and such go back to England from the dry places here and replace the ones that melted away from the rain.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

If the cars first retail sale was in the UK may be the issue. The wording of the regulation seemed to indicate that. It only mentions applicable to cars being imported back in. Yet new cars where also exported obviously.