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Series 1 Project: 1962 Jaguar E-Type Roadster

Jaguar Cars Ltd. brought out the E-Type sports car in 1961, establishing a new standard for British luxury and performance automobiles. The tourer would continue through 1975 across three series. The car was known to achieve speeds of upwards of 150 mph. This XKE is a Series 1 car, built in 1962 for the U.S. market. It comes with a “pedigree” from the Jaguar Heritage Trust. It’s being offered by a dealer in Hanover, Massachusetts and available here on eBay. The bidding starts at $49,500, but no one has yet taken the plunge.

Series 1 XKE’s ran from 1961 to 1968 and saw production of 38,400 units, 17,300 for 2-seat convertibles. The remainder were the 2+2 editions that came later in the run. Those beauties were equipped with 3.8-liter six-cylinder engines that used triple-carburation. The motor was capable of putting out 265 horsepower. The E-Type has unitary construction, power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes, rack-and-pinion steering, and independent front and rear suspension. The car was based on Jaguar’s D-Type racing car, so speed was in the automobile’s DNA. Series 1 cars can be distinguished from later models by their glass-covered headlights, small “mouth” opening at the front, signal lights and taillights above the bumpers and exhaust tips under the number plate in the rear. Thanks, Wikipedia, for the E-Type lowdown.

This ’62 XKE doesn’t come with much in the way of background information, but the seller does provide a signed statement from the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust. This certificate indicates the date of manufacture (May 29, 1962); chassis, engine, body, and gearbox numbers; exterior paint color (Opalescent Silver Grey) and interior and top colors (black). The seller says it’s being sold for restoration purposes and that the Jaguar is mostly complete.

The car gives the impression of one having been stored for many years and there is no indication if it runs. There’s a lot of apparent rust along the lower half of the body and the floors look rusty, but that may just be surface rust. Also, the undercarriage is crusty in several places. The interior looks okay except that the seats will need to be reupholstered as well as installing new carpeting. The convertible top is completely shot and will need to be replaced.

All XKE’s had a propensity to rust and this looks to be no exception. But that doesn’t prevent them from being valuable cars today. In Fair condition, Hagerty suggests $65,000, while Concours could easily transcend $200,000. Without a reserve, just one interested party could score this ’62 E-Type for under $50,000. A restoration won’t be cheap, but the buyer might end up with some equity when all is said and done.

Comments

  1. Avatar nycbjr Member

    Learned to drive stick on one in ’90, torque for days it was nearly impossible to stall! This one needs help lol

    Like 3
  2. HoA Howard A Member

    Yeeesh,,,well, you know, if a guy wants a XKE on a budget( whatever THAT is today) this is about what you’ll find. I’d have to think, by now, every XKE that was made, has been accounted for, and sadly, many, I bet, look just like this. I couldn’t imagine the logic of someone taking this on. I helped a friend restore a simple Spitfire, and that cost them a fortune. I’m too far out of the loop to know if $50g’s is acceptable for a beater like this, the seller obviously got that number from somewhere. As time goes by, fewer and fewer people will recognize the rare model it is, and an XKE will be a XKE. It sure is a far cry from that day at the car dealer in 1973, when on the lot next to the MGB I eventually bought, for $1995, was that 1970 XKE roadster for $2895. Try as I might I couldn’t come up with the extra $900 bucks, a lot of money in ’73,( I think,,, the bank officer where I got the loan, didn’t think it was wise to have a 20 year old punk driving a better car than HE had) and “settled” for the MGB with no regrets what so ever, but that’s as close as I came to owning one. Look what $50 grand buys now,,,and someone will do it, just because, it was considered by many, as the most beautiful car of all time.

    Like 20
    • Avatar Pat

      Similar tale for me. 1975, looking at A BRG 72 MGB for $3k and right next to it is a 65 bright yellow XKE for $4k. Just out of college, starting a job, needing an apartment…just couldn’t swing the jag…

      Like 7
    • Avatar Greg Lemon

      There are still a lot of e-types out and about in all sorts of condition. We had a local shop that worked on old european sports cars, inan.old Chevy dealership with a freight elevator to an upstairs storage room. Very many interesting cars there. To my surprise maybe half a dozen e-types (and Alfas and Saabs, and Volvo’s and…) most are what I would call driver status, but the type of guys that buy e-types these days would call projects. Much better than this example. So there are more than just perfectly restored cars and somewhat daunting projects out there. For whatever reason these “tweener” cars rarely seem to come up for sale.

      Why was I up there, there was a car similar to this one, white ’63, I was going to buy. Had seller talked down to $10k. I had just gotten done restoring aTR250 and the wife was less then pleased with the idea of me buying another project (I tend to get rather engrossed). So I passed and told my brother about it. He bought it in 2011 or 2012, best intentions of restoring. His job and family situation changed anda few years later he put it on Bring a Trailer, just as BaT was starting to get popular. It sold for something like $44,000 about five years ago. So anyway, price on this probably isn’t too far off market.

      Like 2
    • Avatar Steve Clinton

      Anyone on a budget should NEVER buy an XKE.

      Like 12
  3. bobhess bobhess Member

    Only thing that saves this car is a whole bunch of money.

    Like 6
    • Avatar DayDreamBeliever

      Probably even more than a whole bunch. And, someone who knows exactly what to do and where to get the needed parts.

      Like 3
  4. Avatar Steve Bush Member

    Dealer selling this seems to be somewhat greedy in his asking price as he is on a couple others he’s advertsing.

    Like 3
  5. Avatar Bultaco

    How does it have bolt-on wheels that look like they came from an old Dodge? Didn’t all early e types have wire wheels?

    Like 3
    • Avatar RayT

      That’s my question, too. I’ve never seen an early E-Type on steelies. Not once, and I’ve seen a lot of them.

      Interestingly, the spare seems to be on a proper center-lock spoke wheel….

      Just another thing to add to the cost of restoration!

      Like 2
    • Avatar Chris

      I was wondering the same thing. There is the correct wire wheel spare in the boot. I trying to work out if the changed to 5-bolt wheel hubs from a MK2 or some other Jag Saloon as I believe Chevy rims fit. Whatever the case, I have to wonder why they did that.

      Like 2
  6. Avatar Argy

    Seems like there’s plenty of dealers sitting on project XKEs right now, all priced like they’ve got the last one. I’m sure a proper restoration would be costly, but an end result worth over $200K might make sense. If you don’t need an Amelia Island trophy winner, a presentable Series I driver can still be had for less than $100K.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar Francisco

    I’ll never understand how owners of cars such as these can treat them to such horrible conditions and allow them to become rolling pieces of junk. Then they have the audacity to expect someone to pay hefty sums to correct years of abuse and neglect. There are unwritten rules of stewardship, and those that don’t follow them have no right to own beautiful classic cars. Let them buy Mustangs and Camaros.

    Like 8
    • Avatar bull

      Francisco,

      EVERYONE SEEMS TO FORGET that at one time ALL these old cars that for whatever reason have become “collectible” were purchased new for daily transportation needs with few exceptions. With more expensive vehicles such as this Jag it was the second, third and other subsequent owners who could not afford these vehicles when new who bought them used and could still not afford to properly service, care for and keep vehicles such as this Jag in proper running condition. That’s when they got parked 20-40 years ago, forgotten and now the family finds out that old POS vehicle is now worth something and we are going to CASH IN. Yet they have no knowledge other than TV of what it really takes to restore/rebuild a vehicle. All they know “I saw one on TV just like mine that sold for $X dollars” so mine must be worth that”!

      It’s the same today.

      When the original “Big Money” owner of a new Jag trades/sells the Jag it’s usually for another Ego Car that is more current in style and comfort. No way a “Money Guy” is going to be seen daily driving in the old body style vehicle of any make or model. That’s where the second, third and on owners come in with a big dream and NO MONEY to care for an expensive when new car and keep running properly.

      The result?

      The Jag presented for sale above!

      Like 8
      • Avatar gaspumpchas

        Well said, Bull! And a lot of these cars like some of the Mopars were built to go fast, and not to last 50 plus years. And all of them rusted. Good luck and stay safe.
        Cheers
        GPC

        Like 1
    • Avatar Pete

      I don’t believe the seller was the same person who allowed it to get in this terrible state. That person probably just considered it an old car they inherited or won in a divorce. They drove it till it became to expensive to fix or fuel up and left it sitting somewhere. Years later that person passed away and whomever got their hands on it sold it to the seller for 5K thinking they scored big time. But yeah I wish it had been better maintained.

      Like 3
  8. Avatar gaspumpchas

    The seller spends the description telling about his business and the only thing he says about the car is that its “for restoration”. all for almost 50 large? better check it out good if you are serious. Is this a stick or auto? Couldnt really tell. Good luck and stay safe.
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 2
  9. Avatar JohnfromSC

    I think the only XKE series 1’s I’ve seen reach $200K+ have been early flat floors. This one has a number of aftermarket parts most notably air cleaners, radiator, etc. Underchassis looks really crusty and that’s where a big potential expense lurks.

    There is a Jag club in MA that has many highly knowledgeable members that I am sure would look at this one and evaluate it for a modest fee. I used to be a member. If interested, they can be contacted at jagne.org.

    Like 4
  10. Avatar ccrvtt

    All 3 Jaguar listings from this dealer expired with no bids. There was a lot to like about the older E-type, and a LOT to be afraid of. It will get restored, we all know that. It just may not sell for $50k first.

    These prices may have been reasonable at another time, but the seller would be advised to review Eddie Murphy in “Trading Places” expounding on the seasonality of making certain deals. It’s 4 weeks from Christmas after all.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Ben T.Spanner

    Nice junkyard wheels. Some Series 2 XKE’s had steel bolt on wheels also used on the XJ6’s. In the late 1960’s we would buy Mark IX jags that needed 16 inch tires. 16 inch car tires were expensive. Truck tires were not. We used 15 inch Buick rims and tires. We could drill three holes and install original wheel covers.
    The first XKE I ever saw was driven by the President of Timken Roller Bearing in the rust belt city of Canton Ohio. I am sure it soon looked like this.

    Like 2
  12. Avatar charlie Member

    It was the year of Woodstock. We were a group of friends. A woman member of the group had a brand new pale yellow XKE, that matched her hair. She asked me to go to Woodstock with her. I owned camping gear. A match made in heaven. I had to work, and had no one to cover for me, so said no. She asked another guy from the group of friends, they got 25 miles from Woodstock and stuck in traffic and rain. They were not about to leave this car at the side of the road, and turned around, stayed in a motel, and eventually got married. So the moral of the story is that maybe you are better off NOT going with the XKE. And this one appears to be toast given the rust, but maybe find one with a good body, and a toasted engine, and mate them.

    Like 2
  13. Avatar Gerald

    $45,000 for this car? In that condition? I think this seller wants to complete their retirement fund. This car is not worth more than $20,000 in that condition, and having restored one personally, even tho the parts needed are somewhat readily available, who knows what lurks underneath when you start dismantling. Body work alone could run into the thousands of dollars, and that doesn’t even include painting. And I’m just guessing here but, the engine probably needs a complete rebuild. Along with a completely new muffler system and suspension upgrade, it needs a completely new interior. Big time $$$$$. I think the seller better reconsider his price if he/she wants to sell this car.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar danny mather

    Jag XKE most beautfull car of all time !!!!!!!!!!!! enough said dannys mustangs

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Hemidavey

    I know of one sitting behind a garage in Livonia , Mi thats very complete and has a tree growing up through it. Probably been there 20 years. Owner seems to relish owning it and turning away buyers. Weird dude

    Like 2
  16. Avatar Dr. Earl Chrysler

    My observations are that the first buyer tires of it when it isn’t the jazziest car on the block and sells it to the second buyer. The second buyer bought it because he couldn’t afford to buy it new, but wanted the ‘class’ that still went with the car, but doesn’t want to spend the money to give it the care it deserves, so sells it after a couple of years. The third buyer recognizes the inherent high quality of the car and the class-look of its lines. The third buyer has some basic knowledge about vehicles and gives the car the personal TLC it deserves to bring it back to life without investing a small fortune. The third owner enjoys it for several years, then sells it for top dollar as a first class ‘survivor’.
    Unfortunately, someone will break this chain, typically because they don’t have the skills required to perform the TLC tasks or the funds to have others do the work. Result? Barnfind.

    Like 1
  17. Avatar HARM R SMIT

    Nice complete car for the money. Resto costs done to perfection this E is worth every cent.If you are debating about the cost you can’t afford it!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Hemidavey

      I gave to call bs on that comment. I can certainly afford it , Im smart enough to know restoration will likely exceed 150K. I run a restoration shop so no bs here. A fantastic example can be bought for 125-150K. plus it can be bought and enjoyed now without waiting 2-3 years.

      Like 2
    • Avatar DayDreamBeliever

      You just have to be the seller of this Jag, or one very much like it. Not much else would make sense as the source of such a comment.

      Like 1
  18. Avatar steviealx

    roadkill

    Like 1
  19. Avatar jaker76

    First big question, why bolt on wheels and what happened to the original brakes and wires! The brakes would have to be changed out to use bolt on wheels as not available from the factory at that time! What year and model are the swapped out brakes? Who did it and what was done to the braking system aka the early style booster!

    Like 0

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