Few E-type restoration jobs here
http://www.paddockspares.com/sitepage/ClassicC arsPage.html
About �7K these days
I drive a '64 MGB - it's an every day car and I've commuted in it day in day out for the last 10 years.
Depreciation's been pretty much zero and the insurance is ridiculously low, and of course there's no road tax to pay. With the increased upkeep I reckon I'm about even against running a modern car.
Tell your dad to buy not to buy an alpine but a Tiger. Basically an Alpine with a V8 engine:
http://www.sunbeamtiger.co.uk/
The guy I bought my B from was selling one and I very nearly had my head turned!