This 1969 Jaguar E-Type is yet another project-grade example of the desirable sports car, this one appearing to reside in very un-Jaguar-like surroundings of a messy backyard. The seller notes he purchased it out of a collection and has decided time and life will not cooperate to allow him to finish (or even start) the restoration. There is rust in multiple places and the car does not run. However, it is a manual and the listing says the color is green – British Racing Green, perhaps? Find it here on eBay located in Springfield, Virginia, with bidding over $6,000 and the reserve unmet.
Pictures taken at different times appear to show the Jaguar from when the seller grabbed it from the previous owner to the present day, where not much has changed. E-Types strike me as the kind of car that many enthusiasts realize as iconic, and are likely surprised to see how cheap it is to buy a project-grade example. However, any sense that these are easy cars to restore can quickly change once it gets home and the new owner realizes that, like most cars that cost a lot when new, there’s untold thousands of dollars in work needed just to get one aspect back to factory form – whether it’s the bodywork, interior, or drivetrain. It’s obvious in this picture that the front bumper is toast.
The interior is decent for what is a total project car, and at least looks complete. The door panels and seats all match color-wise, leading me to believe it’s at least original. The dash may not have the cool toggle switches like the Series 1 cars, but at least it’s complete (or appears to be.) The seller notes that rust is present in multiple places, including the floor pans and the lower edges of the doors. Although it is not specified in the listing, rust is apparent in the edges of the hood where it meets the body, and the body itself appears to have rot issues. While it’s not the rustiest E-Type we’ve seen, there’s still much work to be done body-wise.
The seller notes that the engine “…looks like it will run,” but I’m not sure what criteria informed that opinion. The engine does, at least, look complete, but given how little is apparently known about its mechanical health, I would just hope to be pleasantly surprised if it turns out to be free. The truth is, even for a project like this, E-Types are universally desirable, both in the states and overseas. I see plenty of these get exported, and while the rust on display here may offend some of us, there are untold markets both domestic and international that see a very restorable example. There’s no reserve, so someone will be taking this backyard cat home.
This E is a late Series 1, sometimes referred to as a Series 1.5, but that was not an official designation. It’s probably a ‘68MY registered as a ‘69. The car is more desirable than a ‘69 Series 2. However, it’s a 2+2 which brings down the value. I’d guess that it will go fairly cheap. If the rust is extensive it would cost way more than finished value to restore. It would make an excellent parts car or donor for a C or D Type replica.
sisuman, thank you, I think you answered my taillight question. I was wondering why this ‘69’ had the attractive smaller housings, and the blue ‘69’ below had the large ugly housings… I learned something today. As a 2+2, I don’t think this will be restored. They are just awkward looking. Sad to see though.
Replica better not do it all!
I suggest a name change to “Burnt Finds”
These days I just don’t anything appealing about cars in this condition, doesn’t matter what it is. There are driver grade examples for reasonable dollars if that what one wants. Parts car.
Harold and Maudify it.
Great idea!
OMG what a sacrilege
85-86 Ohio license plate….Scioto County.
Portsmouth Ohio is quite a trip to Springfield Va.
I caught those Ohio tags too. I remember buying the white/green tags “non com” for my first pickup back in the mid 80s. Ohio still has the ugliest, plainest tags in the country today lol!
“was going to use it to restore for the summer but plans have changed”
Good idea, find out early what a money pit this is going to be and get it the hell outta here.
Nothing was found. Lots was lost.
“….purchased out of a *Collection*”
Sure. In with items like the old TV, the old refrigerator, the old washing machine and/or dryer, the old window air conditioner, etc… Quite the collection of collectibles, all right. Yessir!
I think when he said he “purchased out of a collection” he meant to say “purchased it out of a junkyard “. This cat has been sitting for decades !
One word, “NOPE”
$6k? yeow ………
Back your 401K up to the car and unload it. This car is the poster child for “money pit”!!!
Be a good parts car for restoring my burned 69 2+2. My rear is fine (and I have a title) but the bonnet, roof and interior were toasted. Cut this baby up and away we go!
When I sold Jaguar parts had a customer call and ordered some badges and knobs and that type of items. 2 months later called and wanted to return those and some other trim items he had ordered and when I asked as to his reason he said “I’ve restored several Camaro’s and this is actually harder than i had imagined to restore!!” Not for the faint of heart! This looks way to far gone to be much more than possible parts car, but i have seen worse redone!!! Just better have real deep pockets! Best bet, go buy a completed car and enjoy!
@sisuman
Absolutely agree, it’s a Series 1 1/2 which would put it around 66 to 68, but definitely not 69 as advertised.
Pity it’s a 2+2 – this will definitely hurt its value, but on a positive note, it is a stick shift.
Rust is very apparent, and it may be beyond economical saving. The rust in the lower parts of the bonnet, and front edge of the sills suggest that everything below the waist is rotten – i.e. sills, boot, fuel tank, floors.
It will be a costly return, unlikely to translate to net value after restoration.
cost will depend on the exchange rate when you order all the parts from Martin Robey in the UK. Current pricing for a complete FHC body shell (they don’t offer a 2+2 shell) is $52,000 (US). Just the parts for this (based on what you can see and what is most likely based on what you can’t see) is $19,300. Fun way to go would be to get an OTS body shell at “only” $39,000 and build your own roadster.
Given the return on a “real” OTS in the $100-125k range you’d probably have another $40k in the resto so it might be worth it. If you do it yourself…
Every now and then a driver 2+2 comes up for semi-reasonable money with an automatic. I think I’d rather try my luck converting one to a Tremec manual transmission than bringing this back from the dead.
Whenever I think about getting an E-type, I revisit Bill McKenna’s restoration blog, which begins with a beautiful example of the type and ends five heart-breaking years later with a hope to have the final installment posted in a few months. It is sobering. https://www.mckennasgarage.com/xke/index.htm
My opinion from my experience with British auto are too severe! They’re money pit and nothing but problems. Even with today’s latest models they’re all money pits! It probably be a great parts car though but not for over $6K!