This 1968 Jaguar E-Type Series Two 2+2 with automatic is on eBay in Denton, Texas with a $20,000 minimum bid. The price isn’t higher because a) a 2+2 automatic is the least desirable specification; b) It’s a Series Two when covered-headlight models are coveted; c) It’s a project car that’s been sitting since 1997. On the other hand, this Jag is considerably tidier than the normal project E-Type with stories attached. The paint is a rich maroon (it was repainted just before being stored), the interior upholstery looks decent and, as the seller notes, much of the “heavy lifting” has been done. The larger 4.2-liter engine is under the hood.
The 2+2 was introduced in 1966, intending to be a more practical sports car with a nine-inch-longer wheelbase and more headroom. But both those changes made it less physically attractive (as did losing those covered headlights). At least this one escaped the assembly line before the rubber bumpers. The auto trans is unfortunate.
The owners are forthcoming about what happened after they rescued this car from a north Texas garage. They flushed the fuel system, cleaned the carbs, and installed a new fuel pump. They got it running (mostly) the right way, by pulling the plugs and putting oil in the cylinders. Let’s hope they turned the engine over by hand a few times before cranking it to build oil pressure. With new plugs it started up on all cylinders. Starting fluid is necessary to get it going, so there’s a choke issue.
It’s unclear why they didn’t also change the oil and filter—that should have been job one. But they did work on the brakes, and fixed a transmission issue that kept it in park. A receipt for the rebuilt automatic (in 1996) comes with the car.
“The Jag now starts up decently and goes into gear and park well,” the owner says. “I have driven it up and down my long driveway and the transmission shifted properly. Now you can pull the Jag out and back in your garage while developing the car to the next level. This would make pretty straightforward father/son resurrection, or with buddies.”
This is an ’68 2+2, serial number seven from August of that year, the owner says, and it can be driven onto the new owner’s trailer. Now for the bad stuff: “It will need new cooling system hoses, belts and heater control valve, and new body rubber. Carpet is older, but can wait. Rocker panels show some rust and repairs. Floors are fiberglassed, for now: it is a boat hull.” The rear brakes need going over, the fittings greased, and new tires. The jack is missing, as is the upper and lower windshield chrome. The handbrake needs to be installed properly.
Apparently, leaking brake fluid took a toll on the floorboards. That’s probably the biggest hurdle and biggest expense in getting this on the road.
Here’s the pitch: “This is…the best-looking [E-Type] available in this price range, and the color is awesome! It has factory AC and chrome wire wheels and is a matching-numbers engine car! This is a rare Jaguar!” Does the stated option to install a small-block Ford indicate a lack of confidence in the venerable overhead-cam 4.2-liter Jaguar six? There are 100,000 miles on the odometer, a lot for one of these.
A 1968 E-Type Jaguar is a coveted vehicle, averaging $73,137, says Classic.com. But this one has the demerits as stated, both in terms of needs and specifications. One of these made $39,000+ at an auction last July. But it was nicer.
I’d drive it….the Porsche 914 of Jaguars.
Looks like a good deal with good potential for higher returns when everything is fixed
Beautiful car… however for me, I’m sorry…. How can you drive one of these with an automatic!!
All the parts are readily available to retrofit a factory 4 speed or a more modern 5. And while you’re at it, replace the Solex carbs with SU HD8’s, or a proper setup of triple SU’s.
The twin Zenith-Strombergs SEEM to be a downside but they are not, when working correctly. What really reduces the power by 19 bhp is the hot exhaust cross-over pipe. DON’T replace the two Z-Ss with two HD-8 SUs, as the car won’t run properly when hot. Triple SUs or Webers will be OK but not really necessary. The Zenith-Strombergs atomise the fuel much more finely than SUs and they work in conjunction with a far more aggressive distributor…and are thermostatic…and thus do the job of 3 SUs, even if it all does not look as cool as a three carb set-up.
Somebody stop me! First, and foremost, it would be like me to want the 2+2 with automatic. I and would have to think many would actually prefer that. Also, so much negativity on the B-W automatic, fiddle faddle, the B-W automatic was used in more cars worldwide than any other, I think. Not the best, but certainly not the worst. The list of usage is impressive, including Rolls Royce. I will tend to agree, a stick shift Jag sure compliments the car, but the automatic would seem to cater to a wider audience, especially with money. 2 bids apparently blows that theory. I’m no Jag expert, but I think the ’68ish was one of the best. In-line 6 less finicky than the V-12, and I’m very surprised on the number of viewers, and only 2 bids. $20grand? What was that unfinished Charger, $75grand? Sign of the times, I suppose, when a Dodge Charger is supposedly worth 3 times this beautiful car. I, and perhaps most others are realizing, we have no business with a used Jag these days. Shame, isn’t it?
I wouldn’t feel too sorry for the E-type market, Howard … nice examples routinely trade well into 6 figures on BaT!
I remember when these came out- motor choked down with those Strombergs, automatic trans and a bloated look like a beautiful woman suffering some disease. They were not well received then and still not now. I often wondered what one would look like if a hot rodder chopped the roof 2″ – this one is too original for that treatment though.
Look at my above comment concerning the Zenith-Strombergs. They are a much misunderstood carb, to put it mildly!! People spend MANY THOUSANDS on triple SUs or Webers, only to find NO DIFFERENCE except cosmetic! The only time triple Webers make sense is when the compression and cam lift are increased…but when kept standard, the Z-Ss do the job nicely, despite looking punier.
Agreed- I think it is more of a visual disappointment looking at the Strombergs compared to those triple SU’s and then the dulling down of the cam covers with those ribbed units just reduced the overall impact of opening the hood. The loss of 19HP and the added weight of the 2+2 and an automatic took away the feel of the E type.
These always struck me as odd, the 2+2 I mean. I like them from the rear but the ¼ profile, meh.
Cart-versus-horse department: There is a phrase in the description: ‘floors are fiberglassed: for now, it is a boat hull’. Rusted-out body tub, anyone? Old joke, ‘nothing more expensive than a cheap (fill in name here). We can cease speculating about carburetors while that sinks in.
I just can’t enjoy the looks of these compared to the roadster and coupes.
The proportions just look wrong. I would have to have a 4 speed as well.
Not that I would kick one out of my driveway.
As noted, the price seems about right for an auto 2+2 project, and as Tompdx noted, roadsters and coupes are pretty far into six figures.
SOLD for $25,300.
22 bids.
If the seller was thoroughly straightforward with their description, somebody got a bargain!