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Barn Cat Found: 1967 Jaguar XKE

jag xke 1

Often viewed as one of the most beautifully designed cars of its time, this Jaguar still has some mighty good looks after hibernating in a barn for the past 30 years. This is a desirable Series 1 car, and it appears to be complete. The seller has also stated this is a numbers matching car. We have seen much worse XKE’s pop up for sale, so this one seems like a reasonable starting point for an XKE fan. It has been bid up to $14,000, but it is early in the auction. This XKE also has an available “Buy it now” of $60,000. Find it here on eBay out of Long Branch, New Jersey.

jag xke 4

The heart of this cat is present, but with little information offered as to its condition. The engine looks complete and the overall visible condition isn’t too bad. We hope that the engine is at the least “free” and could potentially be started, or rebuilt.

jag xke 2

The body of the E-Type really is a pleasant view. Although there is rust present in this Jaguar. The Rockers have some bubbling, the lower edges of the doors have some holes also. The passenger side of the car appears rustier than the driver’s side. The underbody is surprisingly clean, there is some surface rust here and there, and the pinch seams have some rust, but overall the underbody is nice. The bonnet looks straight and clean aside from some paint chipping, a straight bonnet is a big plus. The tail of the car is clean with only surface present in some of the nooks and crannies.

jag xke 3

Despite this big cat being in good shape, it appears some rodents had their way with the interior. The interior looks like it wasn’t in too bad of shape when this E-Type was parked. The seats have been chewed on a bit, but the door panels looks surprisingly nice. The Dash and steering wheel look pretty good showing a nice layer of dust, but with no apparent cracks.

jag xke 5

E-Types in the past decade have become a hot commodity, especially series 1 cars. This is an excellent starting point for a restoration, being a numbers matching car that is complete and original. Plus the color on this one is stunning. We would love to see this one once a restoration was completed. What do you all think the final hammer price will be on this E-Type? Or do you think someone is going to get sweaty palms and pull the trigger on the “Buy it now” option?

Comments

  1. Avatar Brian

    Looks Like it may have been a white car based on the drivers footwell where the carpet came down. Not sure though. Cool car. Northern car with rust though. It will be brought back I’m sure.

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  2. Avatar L.M.K.

    What a find…..Wish I found it………

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    • HoA Howard A Member

      Hi L.M.K., I agree, I should be so lucky. Who knows what the real story on this car was?

      Like 0
  3. Avatar StuB.

    Cusp car, commonly referred to a series 1 1/2. Mix of series 1 and open headlights of series 2.

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  4. Avatar Pete

    Ohio license plate means salt roads….I should know I lived there for many years😐

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    • Avatar Jumping g

      Long Branch nj is ocean front property. Seller did not mention if it was affected by super storm Sandy . I live 10 miles from here and some areas were under feet of water . HOPEFULLY this was on high ground. Cause it would be a great car to restore.

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      • Avatar waynard

        Appears is if it was completely submerged. Look at the patterns of the water drips and the left over leaves and slop. This also looks like a repaint, not original paint.

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  5. Avatar Dan

    I am willing to bet that as soon as you start poking at that body and floor pan you will have a lot of rust holes. It looks to me that it is just that paint holding things together.

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  6. Avatar Steve

    $60K BIN lol.

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  7. Avatar MICHAEL DEFONTES

    Go (even to Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale) and save yourself the pain, agony, time, and money this thing will eat up. Sorry, I’ve restored 2 or 3 cars. Never again. Even with the pie in the sky money at the B-J auction, you “might” pay what the guy paid to restore the car. You get in, turn the key and you are driving. Not 5 years from now with no end to bills. Pass

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    • Avatar Doc

      It takes a special kind of person who is willing to put in the hours and hours of time that is what is really needed to restore any vehicle. I am not that person. I agree with Michael If ya really gotta have one buy one that has already been done, but be really careful. Look under the dash! A lot of wiring mistakes occur there. Use an ice pick on the floor boards, etc. Some BJ auction cars look great until you put them up on a rack.

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    • Avatar Old geezer

      Absolutely correct. Some owners of these projects want to make the profit that should belong to the person who undertakes the pain of restoring it. Why pay 60k and restore it when you can easily buy it for less than cost of purchase and restoration.

      Too many project owners think that buyers don’t know what it cost to restore any car, much less something like this.
      Plenty of restored cars at auctions for reasonable prices.

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  8. Avatar chris

    60k? I don’t think so.

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  9. Avatar Brad

    That passenger side door, coupled with the Ohio plate, sums it up for me. I’ve bought a car like this, sight unseen, and got it home to see it was held together by the paint.

    It’s a kick in the gut I hope never to repeat.

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  10. Avatar jake

    Actual series 1 car, 1967 they mixed in the open headlights, not a series 1 1/2 car as someone stated. Series 1 1/2 cars in us spec
    had twin stromberg cards to meet emission specs!!! The rust worms tho have the car, of course any visible rust on an e type mean 3X at least more in the hiddens areas, but not to fear ever possible repair panel is available thru the usual suspects, Tery’s, XK Unlimited, SNG Barrat and of course direct from D Manners in England. Defenitiely a saveable car just depends on how deep your pockets and how good of a welder you are and def get a restoation guide to make sure doing the right things!!! Save this kitty someon, great drivers and lways attract attention when done right!!!

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    • Avatar Eric Dashman

      According to Jonathan Wood’s book on E-types, the modifications for Series 1.5 didn’t appear until December 1967 (for US models). They included the headlights, dual Strombergs and a cross-over manifold, as well as rocker switches instead of the chrome toggle switches. The Series II then added the larger front turn/parking lights and larger rear lights, both below the enlarged bumpers, along with side marker lights front and rear. They also had the new ribbed cam covers.
      The instance vehicle seems to be a late Series I (although I had always thought, incorrectly as I have discovered, that the covered headlights distinguished the Series I from the Series 1.5). Wood does talk about the 1.5 having the new headlamp conversion as opposed to the Series I. It is a bit confusing as to when the models were specifically distinguished from each other and what comprised the distinctions.

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    • Avatar SarahW

      Jaguar never had a S1.5 specification of E-Type. All E-Types were S1 cars up until the side lights were moved down below the bumpers, when they became S2 E-Types. At the same time as this happened, the headlights changed from the later S1 open headlight to the S2 open headlight. The hoods are evidently different along with a different headlight mounting too. If you look at a S2, there is a wider chrome trim behind the headlight than on this car.

      European and Canada spec S1.5 E-Types continued with triple SUs until the S2 version came out as far as I am aware. Depending on when US spec cars were built, the first change was the open headlights, and this is the change that have people referring to cars as S1.5s; next came the switch to double Strombergs and ribbed rocker covers, along with the rocker switches in the center panel. My E-Type is a US spec car built in February 1968, and has the open headlights, the twin carbs/ribbed rocker covers, and the rocker switches, but there are cars that have been retro-fitted with one or more of the earlier features, including smooth rocker covers. This cars would seem to be an earlier 1967 car that collectors would consider as a S1.5, even though Jaguar always referred to them as S1s.

      The rust is most likely throughout the car and for that reason, I wouldn’t touch it for even $10k!

      Like 0
      • Avatar Eric Dashman

        Very helpful, Sarah. That makes a lot of sense that there were no official 1.5s. Paul Skilleter’s book says much the same thing (which I checked after posting about Wood’s book) in describing when changes occurred. I was aware of the differences in the chrome around the 1.5 and II headlights through unfortunate experience. I needed the trim for my 1971 bonnet, but was not aware of the difference. A guy in Burlington, NC had a parts car (1966 or 1967) from which I bought the chrome (cheaply, I might add…this was the early 80s) and only later discovered it was incorrect. I’m sure I can sell it today when I finally get around to getting back to work on mine. Thanks again for the corrections.

        The instance car is probably worth $10-$15K in parts alone. The bonnet is worth $5K itself with all of the chrome and pieces intact.

        Like 0
  11. Avatar SarahW

    You are welcome. I have always loved the lines of E-Types ever since I saw one for the first time, but thought that they were now out of my price range. That changed last fall when one landed in my lap that had been babied since new by the jeweller owner. He only put on a documented 24k miles since new and there is no rust anywhere that I can find. I found out the hard way about rust with my ’65 Austin-Healey, so I have limited my purchases to documented southern US state cars since.

    While I would have preferred a ’65 to early ’67 S1 Coupe, but given the excellent original condition and the low asking price, I could not refuse. And I got factory air as well! I am very glad that I was as quick as I was since I know others were behind me if I hadn’t “pounced”! LOL There is currently a decent S1.5 hood assembly for sale on Hemmings for $6,700, but this yellow rust bucket would most likely turn out to be a money pit. A much better idea would be to invest in the best car that you could afford and then tinker with the jobs that need doing as needed. No more full restorations for me!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Julles

      You go girl! Nice to find another woman that truly appreciates British cars and knows their way around them. And your baby is beautiful!

      Like 0
      • Avatar Dave Wright

        A requirement to be a British car driver has always been a good pair of walking shoes and an umbrella……………

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      • Avatar SarahW

        Many thanks Julles. In my case it has become a bit of an addiction! So what do you have as your baby?

        And to Dave Wright, I used my previous 20 year old Jaguar as my daily driver for almost 10 years, and only once was I let down, due to a split rad hose. So much for your attempt at a witty comment!

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      • Avatar Julles

        Always loved British cars. The first car I bought was a red GT6+. Mini E type. My first anniversary present was a chrome valve cover, that was a husband that knew me. I loved that car and drove the heck out of it! My husband made me sell it because it had cancer. We have had a spitfire and a Triumph Stag as well. We are the beer budget british car lovers. For years I have wanted an XK 120/140/150 or an e-type but the money was never there. So what do I have now? I’m that crazy woman that bought the burned Jaguar D-type recreation to restore for $325. I can’t wait to get some things done but I have been out of work for a year now and we are having to borrow to make the mortgage so no parts until I find a job. Unfortunately, not many people want to hire a 56 year old woman who is disabled even if she has two master’s degrees. But I know God’s got a job for me so I apply to them all and trust.

        Oh and Dave I think you should also have to have a whippet or two to be a true british car lover!

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      • Avatar SarahW

        What a coincidence! My first sports car was my maroon 69 GT6+ that I used as my daily driver when I went to university. I also had a 70 GT6+ with a TR6 engine, and then my Austin-Healey that resulted in a court case that I won due to a crooked restoration company. Due to me thinking that I would never get it finished, I bought another one, a 67. Also a TR4A, a TR250, a Volvo 1800ES and now my E-Type Coupe.

        I found the write-up about your burned D-Type recreation. Wow, what a challenge while also being at a unbelievable purchase price. You sure have guts to take that on, and I really hope that you end up being successful in the long term. I am now retired and you beat me by one master’s degree. I was all burned out so as soon as I met the requirements, I made the move to make my life simpler with less stress. Now I get to play with my addiction for British sports cars. I wish you the best!

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    • Avatar Doc

      Beautiful car.

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      • Avatar SarahW

        Many thanks. I really lucked out. The planets must have been in alignment!

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  12. Avatar 68 fastback

    This and another red one turned up on Australian eBay – always a bit suss about that … Seemed too cheap even though its clearly a major major resto proposition .
    Maybe the US eBay has an option to show worldwide on eBay ?

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Van

    I was hoping to see more cars from the UK.
    Not family sedans and econo boxes, but great classics we don’t see.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Doc

    If you have a decent car you can become an Uber driver. Look into it.
    Good luck!
    Sincerely,
    Doc

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Van

    How much would you charge as an Uber in a nice E-type?

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Steve

    A little over an hour left and it’s all the way up to $38K. I hope whoever buys it either gets their money or enjoyment’s worth out of it. There is so work to do and so much to replace on this one.

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  17. Avatar Steve

    So I still had this one on “watch” but forgot about it. Just got a notification that it didn’t sell and it’s back on eBay again. Seller is still trying to get that $60K apparently. smh

    Like 0
  18. Avatar George

    I must be losing it. It seems not long ago that I saw a “looked like new to me” Jag roadster for $35K here in Oregon.

    Like 0

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