We have covered a lot of E-Types on Barn Finds, coupes, and roadsters alike, and the one commonality I have noticed is that they’re all projects just like this Katonah, New York resident. While I find that somewhat surprising, this is a 56-year-old car, as they obviously all are, and a sixties vintage British car needing a major redo at this point in its life cycle isn’t unusual. No, the surprise is usually the unexpected – the not-apparent items that will need expensive attention. So, are there any hidden issues with this T.J. discovered Jag project? Let’s take a look and find out.
This XKE looks like a Type 1 and it’s a coupe but not a 2+2 (no back seat). The exterior is a bit banged up but it’s not too bad overall. The listing makes mention of some included parts but the images mostly do the talking. The finish is rough though it doesn’t appear to be overly afflicted with rust. That’s not the case with the floor pans, however, though the seller has replacements included with the sale. The bonnet looks like it has been primed, unlike the rest of the body, and that may indicate affected repairs or a part that is not original to this car. The trim and shiny bits are present and intact, they’re just not shiny anymore.
A non-runner, this Jag’s tilt-up hood reveals a 246 HP, 4.2 liter, DOHC, in-line, six-cylinder engine appended to a four-speed manual transmission. There is no reference to the engine’s condition, other than the listing’s non-running descriptor, though the image indicates it’s likely incomplete. The seller states that he can’t verify mileage so the engine’s actual use is unknown. There’s no word alluding to parts replacement or a previous rebuild undertaking.
As for the interior, well, there’s the matter of the floors that have already surfaced. The seats are ratty looking but they’re not completely decomposed. Images of the instrument panel are not that clear but all of the gauge and switch gear openings appear to be occupied with no sign of any vacancies. As to whether everything works, one would have to inquire. The non-operative engine will make determination difficult. The boot section’s wood structure appears to be sound – it doesn’t look like water intrusion or general rot has had a negative impact and the spare tire cover is still where it belongs.
OK, what to think of this Jaguar XKE project? I’ll cut to the chase, the seller wants $39,500 and I’m not feeling that – way too many unknowns here. Yes, I’m aware of the market range for a late ’60s XKE, but almost 40 large? That just seems outta line in this case. The listing is here on craigslist, please take a look and let me know what you think.
This has knockoff nuts on the wheels and headlight covers.Which I am pretty sure 67 was the last year for these items. 1968 federal mandates was side marker lights and the knockoffs as well as headlight covers were a no no.
I think that it is a type two 1968 with a type one bonnet. It’s got three windshield wipers and rocker switches on the dashboard.
I suspect that back when old XKE’s were relatively cheap cars Somebody put a series one hood on a series two car. I would imagine that the knock off swap was even easier.
If I had a 68 XKE and saw a earlier car in a junkyard with a good bonnet on it back in the 70s I probably would’ve done the same thing
Scratch the three wiper thing, i was thinking of another British car’s revisions for 1968.
It’s a Series (series not “Type”) 1.5. That is an unofficial designation, but widely understood to be the “tweeter” E-type. It has Ser 1 tail lights, and Ser 2 rocker switches. And you are indeed correct, that is a Ser 1 bonnet. It should have uncovered Ser 2 head lamps.
Bonnet is faded paint not primer off a Series 1, rest of the car is Series1.5 which is a transitional model with sealed beam uncovered headlights,, rocker switches, 2 carbs instead of 3, but still small series 1 tailights.
Yep, if truly a 68 then it’s a Series 1.5 with a Series 1 bonnet. Price is a bit strong for a New York state car in salt country that is already acknowledged to have rust issues.
If the floors are gone there’s more rust in places like the rear quarter panels that E types are known for. The reason the nose has been replaced is likely that it had a lot of rust too. Unless you’re really into and love to do metal work it’s a hard pass. Other than the value of the number plate it’s not worth the trouble.
The carbs and intake are not present, but a set of triple SU’s and intake are easily available. If it was a twin carb car, why would you want to replace those? Car otherwise appears reasonably complete if rough. I’ve seen worse cars asking 20 thousand more. The rocker switch center console was the first production change in the transition to the Series II version, sometimes called a 1.25. I would rate it a buy if you have the experience, resources and time.
Too many question marks: rust, engine, transmission, trim, glass, wiring, and more. This would take $100,000-plus to restore properly. Even just getting it together and running as a RatJag would be expensive. The seller is fishing.
as stated, S1.5 with an S2 bonnet. Also note, there was a difference between the 1.5 and 2 bonnets as well when it came to the headlights. The chrome finisher on the 1.5 is smaller/shorter on the 1.5 than on the 2 and if I remember correctly the chrome ring around the headlight is “finer”… more delicate looking. But don’t hold me to that one…
Definitely a 1968 Series 1.5 with the easy stuff – hood and wheel nuts – replaced as Series 1. Other differences are the instrument panel with rocker switches instead of toggle, distributor vacuum removed, 2 Strombergs instead of 3 SU’s. Price seems a bit high for its condition.
It wasn’t that long ago when this was a 3950$ car.
Almost 40 large gives most pause given its conditions .However rust flakes have sold for huge money … end of time sales. Irrespective of unknowns, this will sell even faster, somebody who wants it bad enough, and can finance the huge sums needed for the restoration will buy it .
20k car at best and no more.
Yes, this is a Series 1.5 (unofficially) with a Series I bonnet. It would appear that the engine is also Series I, because the ’68 “1.5” came with the ribbed cam covers for better heat dissipation. While some might like the Series i bits, they are also a double-edged sword, in that this car will never be numbers-matching. Thus, regardless of how nice the restoration, it will never achieve full-value status. The rocker switches will also always be a reminder that this is a transition ’68 “1.5”. Whoever buys it should get it for a better price than the asking price, which is in the roadster range for what you get, because this FHC (coupe)is never going to be more than a driver.
Thank you for that comment about the valve covers. I kept looking at them and thinking that they should have had the black ridged ones on it but wasn’t sure enough to say so.
The seller is in fantasyland WRT the price. If they were to part it out, they might make that much in time, assuming the tub is not filled with rust, but even then it would be a stretch.
I’d want 20k back from that 40k for me to be interested. Let’s be honest. These are not rare per se. There are still heaps around and a better deal to be had than this one.