2+2 Project: 1968 Jaguar E-Type 4.2

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.