Wildcat Roadster
Discussion
Hi Brian,
That's a good question. I have a JPR Wildcat roadster (in old English white) that belonged to my late father. When he bought the car (as a project) it came with a Wildcat hardtop which is black, which I still have with the car. I had a go at selling the car last year but didn't have much success due to one person offering what I thought was a silly sum.
I don't know how much Wildcat hardtops are worth as they very rarely come up for sale, though i can't imagine them being 5 grand like an original E-Type hardtop would cost. The one I have is rather dusty looking, so could probably do with a repaint. It was never put on the car as my dad used the car during dry weather (when it would run fine that is).
Hopefully this year I will put the Wildcat up for sale, with or without the hardtop.
That's a good question. I have a JPR Wildcat roadster (in old English white) that belonged to my late father. When he bought the car (as a project) it came with a Wildcat hardtop which is black, which I still have with the car. I had a go at selling the car last year but didn't have much success due to one person offering what I thought was a silly sum.
I don't know how much Wildcat hardtops are worth as they very rarely come up for sale, though i can't imagine them being 5 grand like an original E-Type hardtop would cost. The one I have is rather dusty looking, so could probably do with a repaint. It was never put on the car as my dad used the car during dry weather (when it would run fine that is).
Hopefully this year I will put the Wildcat up for sale, with or without the hardtop.
Hi, so would you sell the top? When i first got my Roadster bout 10yrs ago there was a company building said hardtops for just over £300 but i lost the phone number and cant remember name of the company plus dont think they exist anymore. Mine too is old English white and has spent most of the past 10yrs in the garage waiting for repairs/electrics but now finally found someone who knows old stuff and sorting it out.
So.. hopefully/finally will have it on the road for this spring. Anyway where are you? as would be cool to come see yours and maybe get some ideas on whatever if thats ok. Anyway your hardtop, itll be going to a good home so what do you think? cheers Brian.
So.. hopefully/finally will have it on the road for this spring. Anyway where are you? as would be cool to come see yours and maybe get some ideas on whatever if thats ok. Anyway your hardtop, itll be going to a good home so what do you think? cheers Brian.
At the moment I'm undecided whether or not to sell the hardtop with the car or separate. I'm not aware of any company (either present or past) that made/sold hardtops for the Wildcat, though someone involved in the Wildcat Owners Club (for instance Derek Argyle) may know.
The Wildcat I have has, sadly, been sat unused since about 2015 after my dad laid it up and decided to use his Tiger kit car (which was sold last year) and a Reliant Scimitar instead before he passed away. The Wildcat seemed to have quite a few problems mainly engine and gearbox issues which were never fully resolved, and I've been told the engine is seized (I'm no mechanic so don't know but the local mechanic we know seems to think so). The engine is a V6 Essex from a previous Scimitar he owned which he scrapped just after he bought the Wildcat in 2010. The original engine was a 2 litre Pinto.
I'm in Wigan, Lancashire. Where are you located by the way?. Were you a member of the Wildcat Club? I know the club no longer exists so I'm told. You're more than welcome to come and look at the Wildcat. Is yours a Q plate too?, I know most of em are.
The Wildcat I have has, sadly, been sat unused since about 2015 after my dad laid it up and decided to use his Tiger kit car (which was sold last year) and a Reliant Scimitar instead before he passed away. The Wildcat seemed to have quite a few problems mainly engine and gearbox issues which were never fully resolved, and I've been told the engine is seized (I'm no mechanic so don't know but the local mechanic we know seems to think so). The engine is a V6 Essex from a previous Scimitar he owned which he scrapped just after he bought the Wildcat in 2010. The original engine was a 2 litre Pinto.
I'm in Wigan, Lancashire. Where are you located by the way?. Were you a member of the Wildcat Club? I know the club no longer exists so I'm told. You're more than welcome to come and look at the Wildcat. Is yours a Q plate too?, I know most of em are.
Hi Brian,
Speaking of Wildcats, you wouldn't be interested in a pair fibreglass Wildcat bumpers by any chance?. I still have the original bumpers that came with the Wildcat. They were taken off the car when my dad bought a set of stainless steel front and rear bumpers that were custom made to fit the widened rear of the Wildcat (a company based in Taiwan called Harrington Group). The fibreglass bumpers were once chromed but that has now faded away. They are fairly good condition.
Speaking of Wildcats, you wouldn't be interested in a pair fibreglass Wildcat bumpers by any chance?. I still have the original bumpers that came with the Wildcat. They were taken off the car when my dad bought a set of stainless steel front and rear bumpers that were custom made to fit the widened rear of the Wildcat (a company based in Taiwan called Harrington Group). The fibreglass bumpers were once chromed but that has now faded away. They are fairly good condition.
Hi. No thanks I've got a set of s1 which I'm modifying to fit. I am looking for left side headlamp glass and metal frames. Plus possibly a soft top as mine has shrunk a bit due to age n weather..I do have a v12 exhaust the one one with 4 pipes off the back box plus middle box. Also S3 back bumpers with over ideas if you know anyone interested.
No probs. I think you'd be best going to the Jaguar parts specialists such as SNG Barratt, David Manners, Martin Robey, etc (or ebay) for the headlight glass as I don't know where you would find ones that where used on the Wildcat (I'm assuming they used glass for a real E-Type). Same for the softtop, unless there are cheaper kit car versions available that will fit a Wildcat.
Sounds like your Wildcat is to be a custom made car rather than one based on the look of a real E-type. My dad always intended to get the Wildcat to look as close to a real S1 E-Type roadster as he possible could. I know there are one or two custom-built Wildcats around with large American engines in them.
Would love to see a photo of your Wildcat.
Here's the one I have. Taken a few years ago.
Sounds like your Wildcat is to be a custom made car rather than one based on the look of a real E-type. My dad always intended to get the Wildcat to look as close to a real S1 E-Type roadster as he possible could. I know there are one or two custom-built Wildcats around with large American engines in them.
Would love to see a photo of your Wildcat.
Here's the one I have. Taken a few years ago.
Hi mine is same as yours but a lot tattier needs loadsa cleaning up n work. Have just got electrics sorted but now got to swap engine over. Interior is a mess due to monkeys who say they can do work instead left it outside all winter so everything got damp. Thing is I'm on the sick n don't have much money to play with so on bit of a tight budget. If you decide to sell yours how much do you think you would be looking for although what I am looking for at mo is a hardtop so would be very interested in yours. What is your mobile number I'll try send some pics. Cheers Brian
If I decide to sell the Wildcat I dont want to let it go for less than 5 grand. That's what my dad paid for it in 2010 when it was just a 90% complete project that had no wire wheels, SS bumpers, chrome, new windscreen added (the one that came with the car later cracked so he had to find a replacement, which a firm in Manchester (I think) just happened to have one for an E-Type). Although the engine is in a bad way (so I'm told) and interior will need improving, and some microblisters are present on the rear.
Where are located if you don't mind me asking?.
Where are located if you don't mind me asking?.
Hi 5k sounds reasonable but would try get the engine sorted first. Mine was 1600 quid and it's worse now than when I bought it bought 10 yrs ago due to monkeys. Like you I'm no mechanic but know when someone is taking you for a ride n I've been there too many times. Just hope this time isn't another one. I'm in Doncaster visiting mother so only bout 80mls away if you fancy a visit. Don't worry I'm not a rain coat trainspotter whatever but would be interested to see what your dad managed to achieve.
£1600 sounds very cheap, if I'm being honest that's too cheap for a Wildcat, unless you bought it from a kit. There's nothing really I can do about the engine, and as I said others more knowledgeable than myself have said it is seized, probably through being stood over several winters and not being started regularly. The car wasn't performing all that well before it was taken off road, mostly gearbox issues. I've no use for the car but don't want it to go for next to nothing. It was insured for 16 grand a few years ago. There have been one or two Wildcats that have sold for around that kind of money, albeit better running order. Challenger E-Types are fetching upwards of 20k plus, even more. Just a pity Wildcats don't seem to fetch much, but I suppose it's down to originality and using Jaguar parts and running gear that makes a difference. If you want a real E-Type these days you'd need to sell your house. But who wants all that rust and expensive fuel costs?.
Hi sorry for not getting straight back to you I keep getting cut off by piston heads? ? I got in touch with a guy in Wales who was selling all his chrome so that he could replace with new. He spent 15k on chrome and another 30 on bodywork to get it back to factory finish. Cars gonna be worth bout 250 when done . Mental eh. Yeh etype s crazy money but yeh honest I paid 1600 for my wildcat. Personally I think they look better with the wide back end.what wire wheels have you got there?
Hi,
I don't know how you can spend 15 grand on chrome for an E-Type, or any other car for that matter. If it's worth £250,000 now then it must be a very rare model, something like an early 3.8 litre external bonnet lock.
The wire wheels on the Wildcat are stainless steel, bought from MWS (Motor Wheel Services). The centre wheel hubs dont have the Jaguar lettering on them and are just plain. I don't know why my dad didn't opt for Jag ones as they weren't that much different in price, but I suppose at the end of the day it's a meant to be a kit car not the real McCoy. The wider rear doesn't bother me (though it's difficult getting around the car in a very small garage with the rear end poking out), but I've never been keen on the bulging front of the Wildcats, of which this one does have; they lose that curve a little IMO. Some Wildcats don't have this widened front for some reason, even though I've heard they are supposedly built using the same Ford running gear, suspension etc.
Edit: I've just heard that the company that made Wildcat hardtops is Honeybourne Mouldings. Is this the same company you were talking about?.
http://honeybournemouldings.co.uk/jaguar.html
I don't know how you can spend 15 grand on chrome for an E-Type, or any other car for that matter. If it's worth £250,000 now then it must be a very rare model, something like an early 3.8 litre external bonnet lock.
The wire wheels on the Wildcat are stainless steel, bought from MWS (Motor Wheel Services). The centre wheel hubs dont have the Jaguar lettering on them and are just plain. I don't know why my dad didn't opt for Jag ones as they weren't that much different in price, but I suppose at the end of the day it's a meant to be a kit car not the real McCoy. The wider rear doesn't bother me (though it's difficult getting around the car in a very small garage with the rear end poking out), but I've never been keen on the bulging front of the Wildcats, of which this one does have; they lose that curve a little IMO. Some Wildcats don't have this widened front for some reason, even though I've heard they are supposedly built using the same Ford running gear, suspension etc.
Edit: I've just heard that the company that made Wildcat hardtops is Honeybourne Mouldings. Is this the same company you were talking about?.
http://honeybournemouldings.co.uk/jaguar.html
Edited by Jukebag on Saturday 16th February 21:37
Edited by Jukebag on Sunday 17th February 10:28
Hi what the guy told me he had all bumpers . Wheels. Trim everything rebuilt by specialist in Germany I think n that's where 15k went. Anyway re your hardtop again have you any ideas are they specifically made for wildcat or will etype fit? I can get a new etype (not made by jag but exactly the same) hardtop without fittings on ebay for 500quid but still don't know if it will fit my wildcat.
To be honest, I don't really know if a real E-Type hardtop will fit a Wildcat, probably wouldn't I would say but not sure. I'm not sure where the hardtops for the Wildcat came from, whether they were specifically built for that kit car are where already existing hardtops for another classic that were used for the Wildcat. I suspect they were built by JPR cars from scratch.
As for genuine looking e type hardtops, youd be lucky to find any that are sub a grand; most of them I've seen on eBay (unless I'm looking in the wrong place) are listed for around 2-3 grand in reasonable condition that often need some attention. Ones that are brand or in very good nick are about 5 grand lol, I know it's ridiculous. To think you can buy a Wildcat version, as good as imo for as little as £300, just shows how much of a ripoff Jaguar parts are, especially for an E-Type. I know the purists will disagree.
Also, the company I linked also sell fibreglass bonnets for E-Types for £1125.00. Try finding a steel bonnet for any E-Type series for that kind of money. I've heard it costs about 10 grand for a complete steel bonnet from the Jaguar specialists. That's crazy money.
As for genuine looking e type hardtops, youd be lucky to find any that are sub a grand; most of them I've seen on eBay (unless I'm looking in the wrong place) are listed for around 2-3 grand in reasonable condition that often need some attention. Ones that are brand or in very good nick are about 5 grand lol, I know it's ridiculous. To think you can buy a Wildcat version, as good as imo for as little as £300, just shows how much of a ripoff Jaguar parts are, especially for an E-Type. I know the purists will disagree.
Also, the company I linked also sell fibreglass bonnets for E-Types for £1125.00. Try finding a steel bonnet for any E-Type series for that kind of money. I've heard it costs about 10 grand for a complete steel bonnet from the Jaguar specialists. That's crazy money.
Edited by Jukebag on Sunday 17th February 13:27
Edited by Jukebag on Sunday 17th February 13:38
Just for peace of mind, I thought I'd show you a few photos I just took of the hardtop in its current state.
As you will see, the latches are rusty so will need replacing. There is quite abit of dust covering which is due to it being stored so long. Not immaculate condition of course.
As you will see, the latches are rusty so will need replacing. There is quite abit of dust covering which is due to it being stored so long. Not immaculate condition of course.
Ah!! Got a message from Jack the guy who runs Pistonheads resonance I keep getting blocked because I'm a new member. Anyway all should be ok now. Yeh cheers for pics. Have been in contact with Honeybourne and they still make tops . 585 complete and ready to fit which is pretty good if it fits . They reckon it will as WC are same as S1 seating area but can adjust if not too big a job. Thing I am bit concerned about is door windows on WC are smaller unless for some reason mine don't wind up as far as they should. I'm leaving my mother's on Friday to go back to Bath so if you do want to sell your top will need to know how much n pickup asap. I did offer 400 but looks like it will need a bit of work so what do you think?
Ah!! Got a message from Jack the guy who runs Pistonheads resonance I keep getting blocked because I'm a new member. Anyway all should be ok now. Yeh cheers for pics. Have been in contact with Honeybourne and they still make tops . 585 complete and ready to fit which is pretty good if it fits . They reckon it will as WC are same as S1 seating area but can adjust if not too big a job. Thing I am bit concerned about is door windows on WC are smaller unless for some reason mine don't wind up as far as they should. I'm leaving my mother's on Friday to go back to Bath so if you do want to sell your top will need to know how much n pickup asap. I did offer 400 but looks like it will need a bit of work so what do you think?
Thinking about it I'm not sure if it's worth it considering the shabby condition it is in and what id probably get for it. I suspect it would cost a small fortune to have it resprayed. Are the ones you have enquired about from Honeybourne Mouldings like the one in my photos? or are they different and like one from a real e type?. Very good value for an hardtop can considering what it costs for an original looking E-Type hardtop.
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