Good Heavens! a 1967 Jaguar E-Type with only 20K miles? How’s that possible? This sort of thing happens with a little old lady from Pasadena who only drove her Dodge on Sundays or a muscle car bought in the ’60s only to have its owner go off to war and not return. But a Jaguar E-Type? Most unusual, but here it is in all of its glory. Located in Southampton, New York, it is available here on eBay for a BIN price of $159,000.
Yes, I did say $159,000 and I usually shy away from reviewing an automobile (yes an automobile, not a car at this price point) because I don’t know what to make of it or how to gauge that number in terms of the vehicle’s existential value. But I’m just reporting the news. The Jaguar E-Type, or XK-E as the U.S. bound examples were known, was produced between 1961 and 1975 and in fifteen years of production, approximately 72,000 rolled off of the Coventry assembly line. This E-Type roadster is considered a Series 1 (1961-1968) and is one of the 17K copies assembled. Additional body styles offered included a fixed-roof coupe and a 2+2 variant.
The seller states that “This car is in amazing original condition with 1 high-quality repaint. Body is straight and has great gaps. Paint and chrome are excellent” – that would seem to be the case. It has had one owner for 40 years and has been maintained by a classic car expert. It is a magnificent specimen, though stored properly, even an original finish can last 50+ years. Nevertheless, this XKE has retained its original shade of “Primrose” and a “heritage certificate” is available that verifies the authenticity. The only questionable thing of notice is the red-stripe tires. While they look great with the primrose finish, are they correct for an XKE of this era? Perhaps a Jaguar aficionado can weigh on on that observation.
The interior is finished off in black leather and it is oh-so British and positively like new. There is not a spec of anything present that shouldn’t be and everything that is supposed to be there is there. British sports cars from the ’60s have interiors that are generally cramped, spartan affairs, though their Smiths’ gauge laden instrument panels are always a treat. But a Jaguar XK-E is not your everyday MG or Triumph and its cozy, accomodating interior reflects its vaunted position on the British sports car totem pole. The assumption is that all of the instruments and switch-gear operate as intended but there is no specific mention via the listing.
Under the bonnet of this XKE is a 4.2 liter, DOHC, in-line six-cylinder engine fed by triple SU carburetors. The power rating is approximately 265 gross HP and that power is delivered to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. The seller claims, not unsurprisingly, that this Jaguar, “runs exceptionally well!” My experience with Jaguars of this era is that top-end breathing is where they really shine. While hooning around one day in the late ’70s, (don’t try this at home) I decided to stop-light an XK-E with a ’77 Camaro Z28. That Camaro, with 3.73 limited-slip rear gears and a B/W Super T-10 four-speed manual, would pull out of the hole with gusto. But at about 75 MPH it would start to get winded and that Jag was just coming alive. We ran out of road before the XKE could get around me but the cat driving the car, who was replete with a woolen tweed cap, finally caught up to me at the next light and told me in such a proper way that he was going to “Inform the Authorities” about me. I suggested that he make sure to include himself as part of the shenanigans and then I wound it up, as that Z28 would do so well, and lit on out of there, bits of Goodyear Steelguard radial tread flying every which way. Big, adolescent, stupid fun but I bet that XKE had some serious deep breathing and sonic speed attainment capability given the proper and safe road conditions.
Yes, it’s a ton of money but it’s in keeping with where Jaguar XK-Es of this vintage, condition and mileage trade. And when or where will you find another as magnificent as this example? The listing includes a very thorough pictorial, please check it out. It would be great to hear from readers that have owned an XK-E, perhaps you could share your experience? Now, I gotta go look for old Z28’s…
Let me first say I don’t care what this E-Type costs, because a) I can’t afford it, and b) if I could afford it the listing would already be gone. Everything about these grabs me, at least when they’re in good shape: the sound, the performance, the handling, and especially the design. I wouldn’t choose “Primrose” as the ideal color, but I’d settle.
I’m quite sure these were originally fitted with Dunlop tires, and they didn’t make a red-striper that I know of. Not even sure if they made wide whitewalls, though I do recall seeing a couple of E-Types so equipped back in the day. Plain ol’ blackwalls look best on these cars, if you ask me.
The current 20K on the odo would quickly become a fond memory if I could get my hands on this….
Very nice writeup, Jim. And a great, great car!
This car makes me think impure thoughts. So So pretty
Toggle switches, leather seats, and wire wheels. What a glorious combination!
Find a beater …and give it the full electric conversion.
The Victoria and Albert Museum was running an exhibition on historic automobiles prior to the COVID lock-down and in the entrance they had the gorgeous electrified E-type droptop driven by Meghan and Harry on their wedding day. I was lucky enough to see it the week before everything closed down.
Although I prefer the coupe, the E Type has been one of my favorite cars since I was a kid. Especially with the 4.2 liter engine and the full synchro 4 speed. Like RayT I can’t afford it but would love to own it. Enzo was right when he called it the “most beautiful car ever.”
For me, the colour red has no right to be on a tyre of any car. Just horrible. Thanks for bringing back the “edit” option guys.
I think the red stripe tires are Michelin XAS which would be a correct period upgrade( in the eyes of some). Myself I would love to have one of these no matter what color or tires it wore. Nice car.
One of those “regret” moments in life, we all have them. Let’s go back to that magical year of 1973. I was a young punk a year out of HS, had a decent foundry job,( $4.50/hr, almost $27/hr. today) I wanted a sports car, to replace my tired ’68 Opel Kadette Rallye. I found , at a dealer, a ’71 MGB, with hardtop, with 19K miles, $1995, and right next to it, a 1970 XKE, like this, $2,895. Going for a loan, ( my 1st ever) all I could get was the $2g’s for the MG. $900 more bucks back then, was a lot of money, almost $5,500 today. Try as I might, couldn’t get the extra bucks, and “settled” for the MG, which I had no regrets about, putting almost 1/4 million miles on it until it broke in half, but I always think, what if?
Ok! Two of us went the same way for cars in those days. My first car in 1973 was a ’68 Opel Kadette, followed by a ’67 MGB and others until 1984 with a ’69 E-Type. THE one that got away was a ’67 XKE JUST like this one for $2,400 in 1981 that Navy Federal Credit Union would not approve a loan for because their guidelines would not ok such an amount for that old a car.
Despite the friendlier full synchro 4 speed, the earlier cars with the 3.8L are preferred. This one, having experienced a repaint, is IMO aggressively priced, as the XKE market has softened a bit.
Howard. Well reading your story you probably would of ended up with a Jaguar that eventually spit in half. It just would have been more fun of a 1/4 million mile and probably a bit more expensive on the maintenance. Gotta love those MG’s.
If the claim of 20k miles is correct, how is this an engine that a guy should even drive? I’ve always heard that an engine needs to be run in order to avoid deterioration from inactivity. Anybody else have this concern? This was a great write-up!
If everything in the listing is true, you have no need to worry. Go ahead and buy the car!
Good to know, the check’s in the mail!
If this Jag is as good as the pictures appear and the story holds the price is pretty fair. You can’t buy a derelict and restore to this level and save any money.
I have had numerous E Types. These cars never came with red lines. Dunlops were the brand. SP Radials the tire. At $150,000 it is a little high,but there are not many 20K originals out there.
Ah, definitely a Sporty Motacah. Beautiful example, you you guys think this seller will get that huge pile of Benjamins for this one? Good luck, in the so called class of BJ and Me Cum auctions. That’s where his price is. I guess when you are in Southhamption Long Guy land, price is no object. Good luck and stay safe.
Cheers
GPC
Without a doubt, one of the most gorgeous cars ever designed. And I’m a sucker for the convertible. If only I had the bucks……
I had owned a lot of British sports cars from the time I was 15 (Austin Mini Cooper S for $25.00). And I finally sprung big when I was in my early 20s for a 1967 XK-E convertible…basketcase for $3000. It took me almost 2 years but I finally had a presentable daily driver. I had another car with the redlines though. A 1967 Corvette convertible 427/435. I bought it used and it had those tires.
The red-line tires do look great with the Primrose body, but they are not “correct” for an E-Type from an authenticity perspective. These tires came from the factory on the Triumph TR6 in the same 185-15 size, so people have been putting them on E-Types for decades. They just weren’t factory original to the Jaguar.
I love these cars. Had a yellow ’61 with the 3.8 in high school back in ’68. Traded my ’67 Mustang 6cyl/3sp straight across. All the V8 guys could get me on the short run, but out on the highway, I could overtake them easily with a top end of 145 mph. Wish I was rich and famous, I would pick this up in a heartbeat!
I believe the Series One Jags ran from 61 – 67, and the Series 1 1/2 was a single series model in 1968. In order to get out a new model for the 1968 year, Jaguar used some features from the Series One and incorporated some of the newer concepts from the Series 2 Jags yet to be introduced. The front turn signals were still located above the front bumper, but the 68 had a crossover pipe in the engine, dual Stromberg carburetors, rocker switches on the dash instead of toggle switches, and this was the first year for the uncovered headlights. Also, the wire wheels didn’t have the “eared” knock offs like earlier models, but had the knock offs in which you needed the “eared” adapter placed over the 6 sided “nut” to get the wheels off.. Since my 68 E Type was manufactured in August of 1968, there could’ve been some earlier models that were listed as Series 1 models until the Series 1 1/2 came out.
1968 was not the first year for uncovered headlights. The early 1967s had covered headlights and in mid-1967 jaguar began the gradual transformation to Series II, with uncovered lights being the first noticeable change, but all other series I features, including the 3 SUs, remained (hence the unofficial “1 1/2” designation). Early 1968s continued the transformation to series II with twin Strombergs, etc. To my mind, the early 1967 is the best E-Type, but it seems the ’61 brings the most dollars. I have owned two, a ’64 coupe back in the sixties and my current 1966 coupe. The red-line tires are not a big deal but vintage Dunlops are available.
A beautiful car!!! But at that price I’d much rather buy 4 or 5 muscle cars that are drivers and leave the show car to the rich and famous!!!
These old Jags are truly a beautiful car as Mr. Ferrari said. This rare find should be wrapped or donated to an auto museum. If I could afforded I’d be scared to drive it anywhere with such a “pristine looking car!
“I was cruisin’ in my Sting Ray late one night, when a XKE pulled up on the right”,,,coolest song ever!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDrhUAVGG-c
Howard I was thinking the same thing, still have the Drag City album I got for my birthday, 1964!! Best hotrod album ever. Best musicians in the business, best producers, and jan and dean. Good stuff!!! Stay safe.
Cheers
GPC
Speaking of guys going off to war, that was exactly the case in 1971when I had the chance to buy one EXACTLY like this, even same color, for $3000. I was a senior in high school and you can imagine both my bank account and dad’s reaction to this. I bought a ’59 Ford instead, for $35, and used it for a year but eventually owned a ’66 S Type Jag with right hand drive.
Excellent write-up and great story, Jim.
One of my dream cars also, though I prefer the coupe.
Indeed one of the most gorgeous cars ever made, though the XK-SS is even nicer, imo, but cost about 5 times more.