It’s hard to find a nice, original E-Type Jaguar; most have either rusted away into expensive restoration projects or have already been restored, some better than others. But this 1970 E-Type OTS (Open Two Seater) is just that — a mostly original, low-mileage car just begging to be driven! The big cat is listed for sale here on eBay, with bidding currently up to $42,600 without meeting the reserve figure. Should you consider bidding, you’ll have to figure out transportation from Vacaville, California (me, I’d drive it home, but we already know I’m crazy that way!)
As the owner of many British sports cars and a Jaguar that it took me quite a while to fix the coolant leaks, I find it ironic that the car is pictured over a puddle! Yes, I’m sure it’s left from just having washed the car, but still! Regardless, the sleek profile of the original, non-2+2 body is shown here to its full advantage. And for those who object to the whitewall tires — piffle! It’s the way it was!
I can only imagine what it would be like going out the front door and seeing this sleek silhouette in my driveway. While this later E-Type has larger tail lights and the raised, uncovered headlights, the profile that made everyone gasp in 1961 is still there. Anyone else like the Ascot Fawn paint? We’re told it’s mostly original (it appears to me the bonnet has been repainted).
With only 31,968 miles showing, the underside of the car looks like the rust-free*/accident-free car that the seller claims it to be. (*rust-free = no serious corrosion beyond surface rust in my book)
While the Cinnamon interior shows some wear, particularly on the center armrest, I would hope as much of the original leather as possible is kept. This isn’t a show car, it’s a driver — just the type of car I’d like to have. The manual transmission is a bonus!
The under-bonnet area looks pretty much what you’d expect a 31,000 mile used car to look like. While the green battery is an unfortunate choice from a cosmetic point of view, I’m getting pretty nit-picky. The seller states that an original owner’s manual with service stamps, books, a jack, a knock-off hammer, and the convertible top boot are all included with the sale. There’s also a Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate verifying the serial numbers and delivery date. What’s not to like about this great example of a driver! Tell us about your E-Type driving experiences in the comments!
One of the most beautiful car designs ever made. Nice torquey inline 6 with a manual transmission makes it one of the nicest driving cars ever made! I’ve said it before as the car industry turns to tech to entice the customer I find myself turning to classic cars for their pure substance.
The changes to front and rear lighting made the later E-Types less beautiful to some — including me — but these cars were still gorgeous.
More problematic was a drop of roughly 20 horsepower due to emissions regulations. This was most noticeable to a stopwatch, but was a bit of a shame. I prefer the look of three SUs hanging off the engine, anyway.
Between those nit-picks and the price, I can’t go for this, even if I wanted to. But it’s still a wonderful ride, no matter what, and (to me) far more desirable than later versions. The color wouldn’t be my first choice, but I could get used to it…. No whitewalls, though, even if many E-Types came with them.
Alphasud got it right: in today’s electrified, touch-screen age, the classics are the only way to go! And if any car qualifies as a total, unquestionable classic, this is it.
Honest old cars have personality perfect cars never can match. Nice car just the way it is. The whites are ok with me, for thirty years they were on everything I ever owned, including a 450 SL and a Firebird Formula. I guess plaid pants were popular too ……………
Nice car.
This seller also has the gold 63 split window Corvette featured on this site earlier today. Several other cars he recently listed on eBay have also been featured here. He looks to be a low volume dealer who has found his niche specializing in quality mid range and higher cars popular with enthusiasts.
Steve R
I would get the driver seat done and drive it home and back from vacaville ca.One or two more times.WHAT A RIDE
I’m 60 and when I was about 9 or 10 I had a chance to ride in one of these. It was so low and sleek I remember thinking I could stick my hand out and drag my knuckles on the ground. It sure made an impression on me. Through the years I’ve owned a few British machines including a 67 Spitfire and a 48 MG TC. I currently have a Jaguar XK8. Although nice, I’d trade it any day for an E-Type.
Having owned one, complete with the infamous “Dunlop elliptical wheels”,I always say ,never again, but then when ya see one like this, and I’m in Oceanside. Hmmmmmmmmmm.
It’s a beauty, not as beautiful as my 62 or 67 but beautiful. At 74 if I could afford it, and get in and out of it, I’d be driving it home to Orange county.
It’s nice looking, but how does driver seat and center console get that worn in 31K miles! Things that make you go hmmmmm….
Series II were better drivers with bigger brakes and better cooling. Great colors and trim.
What do I think of “Ascot Fawn ” ? I think it would be Burgundy or dark Blue 3 weeks after the ink dried on my check.I have a Burgundy over Oyster 69 with backdated headlights and taillights,and a concours 66 red on black.Both are coupes ,and I would like a V12 roadster.The 66 is for sale,but if I didn’t have it this would be a candidate ,even though it isnt really that clean.
Me too! I had a black ’67 Ser I coupe, and my next E-type had to be a Ser III, V12, 4 speed roadster. It’s red and sitting in my garage right now. You won’t be disappointed!
LOVE IT…..period !!!
Nicest one I have seen here.
Have loved Jag roadsters ever since I saw my first one in 1961. It was primrose yellow and I was in love! Little did I know I would own a ’61 primrose yellow XKE roadster just six years later as a junior in high school.Thank goodness for my job at Safeway! But alas, life got in the way in 1970, and life goes on. Would love to have this one even with the odd tail lights and open head lamps.