This 1962 Jaguar E-Type Roadster will require a full restoration, but it is a surprisingly solid classic. It has some rust issues that will need to be addressed, but it is far from being a lost cause. With spotless examples continuing to command six-figure values, this a project that is well worth considering. It is being offered for sale by a restoration specialist, so that could provide an opportunity for the buyer to have some or all of the necessary restoration work completed before they take the vehicle home. It is located in Newbury Park, California, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. The Jaguar has been bid to $20,200, but the reserve has yet to be met.
The yellow paint that the E-Type wears isn’t original. There is evidence around the engine bay that the Jaguar started its life finished in a color called Cream. The buyer will face some work with this car, but its rust issues are surprisingly minimal. There is the usual rust in the floors and the rear valance and some in the rockers. However, that appears to be about all there will be to tackle. The panels wear a few dings and dents, and there is a hole in the driver’s side rear quarter panel that will need to be repaired. The owner describes the Jaguar as being basically complete, and the trunk does appear to be overflowing with parts. However, I can’t spot the windshield, so a replacement for that will need to be found. It’s also worth noting that the interior has been completely stripped out. I can’t spot any upholstery or dash components, so restoring that aspect of the car could be an expensive proposition. A trim kit featuring leather for the seats is about $6,000, but that doesn’t include the cost of any dash items. It also doesn’t account for hardware such as seat frames, handles, etc. This is all stuff that is well worth considering.
Powering the E-Type is the 3,781cc DOHC 6-cylinder engine that produces 266hp. These horses then find their way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission. When it was shiny and new, this combination could fire the Jag through the ¼ mile in 14.6 seconds. Jaguar also claimed an “official” top speed of 150mph, but no motoring publication at the time could ever quite achieve that magical number. One magazine managed to hit 149, so I’m not about to argue the point over a miserly 1mph! This car is a numbers-matching vehicle, but the engine has been partially dismantled, as you can see. This would be an opportunity to treat that sweet six to a refresh, and given the Jag’s potential value, it should be contemplated.
The owner states that it is rare to find a Jaguar E-Type project car of this vintage with such minor rust issues, and it is difficult to argue with him on that point. We see a few project cars come across our desks here at Barn Finds, and while some of them would be classed as marginal when it comes to financial viability, some are simply beyond salvation. Depending on where the owner has set the reserve on this car, there is a strong possibility that this could be a restoration project with the potential to turn a profit when complete. Even if it doesn’t turn a profit, someone will become the owner of a classic that Enzo Ferrari once described as the most beautiful car ever built. That doesn’t sound like a bad thing to me.
The rust on another could cost $20k + to fix. Would buy this in heartbeat but it will go higher.
I’ve restored a few of these early Series I Jag E Type cars. I would easily keep all the original sheet metal and floors. This is an all original metal car and can be saved with minimal body work and repaint in the original Cream Color. This is a rare SoCal car with a rare color. Many early 61/62 Flat Floor cars were raced or abused, it is rare to find a original numbers matching car. The Beach Boys were Right!
Potential here. I agree with JBD.
A restoration would be a race against the clock. Values are down twenty to fifty percent over the past twelve months.
This brings back A LOT of memories! I restored my 62 which was also primrose and looked A LOT like this when I started! That was 20 years ago! I still have the car! That was an awesome purchase! I think I paid $13,000 for it then. Today, with Hagerty’s agreed value, it is insured for $150,000!
Use to frame off 120’s. If I was a bit younger, I would take this project. Only because it is a numbered car. I would figure 70- to 85 as the rebuild cost plus the car cost.