Rotten E-Type Project vs Restored 1961 Example – Which One Will Destroy Your Wallet?
At RM Sotheby’s in Paris this January, we found two Jaguar E-Types that perfectly expose the biggest mistake buyers still make in today’s classic car market.
Together with Richard Michael Owen, I compare:
🔥 A totally rotten E-Type project — structurally corroded, missing major components, and sold as a “cheap entry”
✨ A fully restored 1961 E-Type — ready to drive, but built with aftermarket parts and someone else’s decisions
On paper, the project looks like a bargain.
In reality, it can become a six-figure financial disaster.
Because here’s the uncomfortable truth:
A cheap E-Type shell with missing parts almost always costs MORE to finish properly than buying a completed car at a known price.
In this episode we break down:
▶ Why “project cars” are usually the most expensive way into classic ownership
▶ How missing parts silently destroy your budget
▶ What restoration invoices really look like in 2026
▶ Why buying restored isn’t always safe either
▶ How originality (or lack of it) affects long-term value
▶ And what the actual Paris auction results tell us about where the E-Type market is heading
This isn’t a romantic barn-find story.
This is real-world math.
So the big question:
Is it smarter to build from scratch — or buy a finished car and start driving?
If you’re thinking about buying an E-Type, restoring one, or investing in classics, this is a decision that can save — or cost — you tens of thousands.
Watch before you buy.