There’s no replacement for displacement boasts the seller of this 1972 Jaguar E-Type for sale here on Craigslist, and when there’s a V12 lurking under the hood here his point is kind of difficult to dispute. Jaguar began producing the E back in 1961 with a series of great autos to follow, with the final Series 3 cars debuting with the ’71 model and running through 1974, after which production was halted. This one’s had a considerable amount of mechanical work performed already, so if you’ve got some good metal talents it might be an excellent project for you to take over. The Jag is located all the way up in North Ferrisburg, Vermont, and comes with an asking price of $29,850.
Probably the most surprising aspect about this listing is that no photo is provided from under the hood of that V12, but we do get to view a receipt from nearby Palmer’s Garage detailing a host of replacement parts they’ve installed dating back to 2014. The seller tells us he found the Jaguar sitting in a barn and took it from a non-running condition to a vehicle you can proudly drive, with some more good news being the engine is still the original numbers-matching component. A couple of issues mentioned are a leak around the oil filter housing and some shaking when the car hits 50 MPH, but simply balancing the wire wheels is believed to be a remedy for the latter.
The car seems to be pretty much complete on the outside, and if you’re just looking to have some fun it really doesn’t come across as all that bad from a distance. But as you get closer several blemishes appear on the body, with a few attempted repairs that just didn’t quite make the grade. Some areas highlighted are the front section of the hood and also the driver’s side quarter panel, where it looks like some filler was slapped on followed by a spray coating from a can, so whenever the next owner decides he’s ready to take the exterior to a higher level there will definitely be body straightening to deal with.
One detail of the 2+2 that always makes me chuckle is that it’s billed as a 4-seater, but when you look inside and see the confines for the rear occupants it’s about as cramped as sardines in a can and makes me feel claustrophobic just staring at the back, even though I’ve never experienced that particular phobia in real life. But overall I love the design of the interior and dash layout, with the driver’s seat probably showing the most wear here but even that’s probably sufficient for a while if it’s just a driver you’re after. This one seems to already be in a decent place mechanically, and not in a bad spot to move forward with on the bodywork. What are your thoughts on this E-Type?
Could be a good buy for someone who knows how to work on these cars. On the other hand, someone who is going to pay retail price to have all the work done might leave his or her shirt in it, given that it costs as much to fix a roadster as a 2+2, yet the 2+2 will never be worth much more than half.
Jaguar Clock in New Jersey can convert the clock to a quartz unit that will give you accurate time for decades. I wish the seller and buyer good luck. This Series II is definitely worth restoring and preserving.
ERRATA: I meant to say Series III !
I live in Vermont about a half hour from this car at its location in Palmers Garage. I had seen this car over a month ago and it looked like a nice project and was very straight. E types are out of my price range but I still like to enjoy them. The young guy who is in charge there is a nice guy and a ‘straight shooter’. I spent some time with him. I would deal with him if the right vehicle of my choice was in his possession.
In regards to the main description, a 2+2 in British terms, usually means 2 adult and 2 kids!! That back seat is never much to gawk at. I have had a few MGBGT’s with a ‘supposed back seat’. I have always removed them and made an enhanced cargo area! Now a true 2 seater that you can carry something in!!
It looks like someone tried to use lead to make repairs and just globed it on. You need an exhaust system and good respirator to use lead. Jaguar wire wheel need special adaptors to balance them. Otherwise when they tighten the wheels in the machine the hubs distort. Or there could be broken spokes. Wire wheels are in the $500+ range.
Well worth the time.
Timeless. Challenge. Not for everyone but perfect for someone.
These fetch quite a nice price sorted and driving. This one would be best done finishing the suspension, brakes, wheels, tires, engine fuel and ignition properly tuned, new clutch etc yes a tad expensive. But do it all to experience ACTUALLY DRIVING that V12. The few properly running Jags with that engine are usually too nice to absorb a scratch or pitted paint from road debris. This is the one you get running, shifting, handling and stopping like it’s ready for 24 HOURS OF SEBRING. Unlike the later XJ coupe of the 80’s with the 12, this is significantly lighter and better handling.
It’s all out of my league but I’m guessing Leno would make it a daily driver type ride before deciding to make it too nice to enjoy.
There were 72,000 E-Types built in 14 years. They aren’t getting more plentiful.
This will be a great car for the right person, hopefully it will be improved and preserved.
After owning five of these cars, I can truthfully say ‘enough already’. Good looking? Yes, and it stops right there. Born to rust, and literally slapped together to get them to market is not the best method to build customer loyalty. My brand new one was far from perfect, even by American standards. Lots of downtime with problems that never happened on a domestic car.
Were the mechanics American V-8 mechanics or Jaguar-trined specialists who knew how to tune/repair these cars?
Most were automatics by this time, so this is a bit rarer. The actual time of production matters, as the early V12 E Types had a noticeable bit more HP. Of course, given the age and visual cues, sooner than later a future owner is going to be going through the car and upgrading the engine will be on the table.
There’s no replacement for displacement?
E-Type V12 is 5.3 liters and 314 hp (per fastestlaps.com). My FD-series Mazda rotory is 1.3 liters and 255 hp. That’s 59 hp/liter vs. 196 hp/liter.
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:-)
Yes, but have you ever driven a Jaguar V12?
Even in its detuned US configuration, coupled to its awful we-put-the-slush-in-slushbox BW automatic, it loves the open highway.
Have you ever driven an FD RX7? 2700 lbs with 50-50 weight distribution, twin sequential turbos, an 8k rpm redline and an engine that begs you to take there with every shift? Ditto.
Nice segway, from jag to my Mazda in only a few incomplete sentences.
Reminds me of this little rotary engine with only 196power/liter when my electric Tonka truck can run over Legos.
The jag looks great but the post about the hassles of ownership is too real.
Worked across the street from an independent jaguar repair shop in Greensboro in the early 90’s. The same 50 cars gave him 80% of his business. Owners just accepted these were not cheap cars to own and drive…like moths to the flame.
Richard & Jay, let it go, boys. You’re comparing cars that are polar opposites from different eras. They’re both great and both should be appreciated by any real car guy or gal. My passion is XK120-150 Jags and my son has built a Cinquecento Abarth that spits out much more power. So what? They’re like comparing “chalk & cheese” but, again, both are great. I’ve not had the pleasure of seeing/hearing an all-out rotary on track which is probably good as my hearing is already damaged, but I have seen/heard Jag & Ferrari V12’s wail at LeMans and their music is magic.
In the early 80’s had 2 different 74 XJ12L’s with the carbed 12. An average mechanic like me can easily work on these engines. I test drove a 72 manual 12 cylinder E type back then and just found it floaty and didn’t love the somewhat bloated look of the Series 3 2+2. Asking price then was $8K and I passed. I had paid $4700 for my first XJ…
Somebody who always wanted one will get this one for around $25000 and be happy as a clam. The two plus two is the least expensive to buy and will give you the same headaches as the other two models, but behind the wheel, you are in the same car for a lot less money. All the tire-kickers on here are not buyers. Just trolls with nothing better to do.
Somebody who always wanted one will get this one for around $25000 and be happy as a clam. The two plus two is the least expensive to buy and will give you the same headaches as the other two models, but behind the wheel, you are in the same car for a lot less money. All the tire-kickers on here are not buyers. Just trolls with nothing better to do.
Agree. Old Jags are fairly simple once you understand them. Then they are fun and easy to work on. I’ve owned over a dozen Jags, including a Ser 1 E coupe and a Ser 3 roadster. I’m an average mechanic, too, and managed to keep them all running and driving without having to resort to a professional more than a handful of times. If you like to tinker under the bonnet, parts are plentiful and these become inexpensive to own.