It isn’t clear how long this 1964 Jaguar E-Type Roadster has been sitting in this barn, but I think that the figure might be measured in decades. This is a classic that many people believe to be the most beautiful production car ever built, and to see one in this state is heartbreaking. However, it has now been liberated and is looking for a new owner prepared to return it to its former glory. Located in Los Angeles, California, you will find the Jaguar listed for sale here on Facebook. It might not be a cheap project car at $69,950, but it could potentially be worth the cost.
Now that it has emerged from the barn, this E-Type shows a fair amount of promise. The owner says that it is finished in Signal Red, but I’m not so sure about that claim. That shade wasn’t introduced into the E-Type palette until 1969, so unless the vehicle has received a repaint, this is incorrect. However, the color could be Carmen Red. This was available from the E-Type’s introduction until the end of the 1968 model year. The two shades are very similar, so this could be a simple and excusable mistake. The thing that strikes me with this car is the lack of visible rust. We can’t see the floors or frame, but the panels look surprisingly clean. If the story below decks is similar, then this could represent a straightforward proposition for restoration. Or at least as straightforward as it gets with an E-Type. All of the exterior trim is present, as are the gorgeous wire wheels. These components look ripe for restoration, so at least the buyer won’t be forced to search for missing pieces. The Jag comes with a soft-top, and it looks like it would respond positively to a deep clean. The rear window looks like it is becoming cloudy, so that would need to be replaced if the vehicle is to present at its best.
The owner doesn’t supply any engine photos, but we know that the car comes equipped with a 3.8-liter DOHC 6-cylinder engine and a 4-speed manual transmission. With 266hp on tap, the E-Type was capable of covering the ¼ mile in 14.6 seconds. Jaguar made a big song-and-dance about the vehicle’s ability to hit 150mph, but the truth was that it fell slightly short of that mark. The news here is mixed because while the cylinder head is numbers-matching, it appears that the engine block has been changed at some point. However, it does seem to be complete, which is another plus point for this classic.
Any E-Type that was ordered in Carmen Red came with a Black interior. This was not negotiable, and it is what we find in this car. To me, these early examples were the “real” E-Types. Apart from the clear covers on the headlamps, the interiors featured the timber-rimmed 3-spoke wheel, along with a full complement of toggle switches on the dash. When the company was forced to replace these with rocker switches in the Series 1½ cars from 1967, the interior lost a certain amount of its character. Once again, everything appears to be present, and it all seems correct. It will require some restoration work, but all of the trim and upholstery pieces remain readily available.
Jaguar produced 15,490 examples of the Series 1 E-Type Jaguar, of which 7,828 were the Roadster. The Series 1 cars equipped with the 3.8-liter engine remain the most highly sought, and values tend to be quite mind-blowing. They have taken a substantial hit over the past 12 months, but values are starting to rebound. That means that if this car is meticulously restored, there should be no reason why its value couldn’t top $140,000. That’s a lot of money, but it is what enthusiasts are willing to pay to own the most beautiful production car ever built.
Tune it, wash it, put air in the tires and drive it. Enjoy the driving experience rather than make another static show car.
Agreed, this car is too nice restore. It needs to be conserved. They’re only original once.
I took one of these out for a drive a guy was selling. Gutsy and I was proud to be behind the wheel. Once I got on the Hwy things changed. Scared the liver out of me with high speed trucks and cars so much taller and larger. Steering to turn around come back (rack and pinion) I though I was erasing the front tires. The petal tunnel was not for any larger foot than a size 10. Ride in the country on sleepy roads great.
Beverly Hills Car Club. Run away.
I hear people mention that sentiment often, but I haven’t heard why. Care to elaborate?
If you look at most of their cars they are rust buckets and the ask large money for them. look at the pictures carefully, a lot of rust is usually visible.
Fun to money ratio not good on this on at this price.
There are barns in Beverly Hills? ;-)
At least double the value.
If you negotiate a better price, then go for it. Lots of hours and $$ involved but this one looks worthy.
No 64 E-type did a 14.6. Put 3.08 gears in one (all stock ordered exports to the U.S. got 3.54’s ) and it will get close to 150…on a good day, with a 16 second quarter. Moss box was a piece of junk, despite Jay Leno’s opinion.
3.54 was only on 4.2 engines. 3.8 had 3.31
Thanks for the correction. I guess they were going for acceleration with the 4.2, trying to stay up with Vettes in the quarter mile.
Beverly Hills Car Club is not in Beverly Hills..its in Hollywood.I agree a sympathetic cleanup would be the way to go for me..losing that ugly rack along the way. But, as BHCC is selling this, I wouldnt spend a $ until I had gone over every inch of it….some of their cars might be great but some seem a little “sketchy”..and always top $$$
Front end is way out of line. You can’t even call the left side hood to fender fit a “shut line”. Rust?, Bent frame? This might be more than “sketchy”.
Had a series 1 yellow roadster back in high school, ’68/’69. It topped out at 145 mph. Loved that car!
Without the matching engine you’re not going to hit the top tier no matter what you do.
Beverly Hills Car Club is neither a club nor in Beverly Hills, it has a lot near LAX as well as the Hollywood location. The lot near LAX has a selection of lesser “collectables”, as with any seller of an old car, go with a knowledgeabe person, who is not sentimentally attracted to the car, to look at the thing objectively and keep your offer in line with reality. I would buy from them, or Gullwing, for that matter, but only with my eyes open, and wallet securely deep in my pocket. Almost nothing you buy from a flipper is going to be a real bargin, but if you really want a ’48 Buick Roadmaster woody, and are not on food stamps, and one of these guys has one, you will probably lose money on it, but, you will enjoy it, and the longer you keep it, the less the loss per year. That is why, for us, it is a hobby, not a business, and you cannot deduct the loss (but, you must report and pay income tax on the gain, if it ever happens).
Lovely old cars, always sad to see them like this but I won’t complain as I have a 1964 3.8 S1 E Type FHC with full matching numbers in Carmen red sitting in the barn. Owned it over 20 years and I bought it from a barn where it had sat for the previous 20 years, so it hasn’t been on the road for well over 40 years but has been in dry storage. Just a small remark some Carmen red cars came with the biege/tan interior as my car has. One day, I will find the time to do something with it !!!!!
You have to wonder why BHCC didnt do a resto on this, wondering why there are no pics of the rust prone spots. I believe there are skeletons in the closet here someplace. As AJ said looks like collision damaged. Good luck and stay safe.
Cheers
GPC
Stay away! I had an offer for my rotisserie restored Series1.5 E type OTS roadster. It was exactly half of market value. His flips are legendary to well known actors, collectors and well known buyers. My guess is he got it for less than $35k.
Recently done several E-Jag restorations and costs are too high to start with $70k project. I see many beautiful Jag roadsters sell almost every day under $100k. Cannot restore one for that money. Be warned.