This 1968 Jaguar E-Type 2+2 coupe is claimed to have been driven into barn storage and parked, emerging from its dingy confines without much in the way of rot or even a damaged interior. The seller claims this is one of those cars you can simply repaint and drive, although it’s rarely that simple. This one is listed on eBay UK for export from the United States, but it’s somewhere in New Jersey if you want to keep it here. Find it here on eBay for about $25,000.
1968 marked the first year of Series 2 production, which saw a number of design changes that still make enthusiasts cringe. Lost were the beloved clear headlight covers, and turn signals were relocated front and rear. Power was also reduced, with the engines de-tuned to comply with U.S. regulations and a conversion from three SU carbs to two Stromberg carbs, which scaled back horsepower and torque.
Another big visual change was the loss of the iconic toggle switches in the dash. These switches and the headlight covers were two of the biggest losses, in my opinion, as these were still powerful coupes but they lost some of their charisma after these changes. That being said, this particular car does look way more presentable inside than I was expecting, with a very clean dash, untorn seats (heck, they don’t even appear all that dry) and the desirable manual trans.
What’s interesting to me is that U.K. market cars didn’t suffer the same performance penalties that U.S. cars did – so why would you want one from the states? I suppose there’s a chance it’s actually cheaper to buy a car like this and swap out the performance-sapping smogged carbs, given the rapid escalation in pricing for E-Types in almost any condition. This one is seemingly a largely complete project, and the seller is correct that the price seems more than fair for the condition.
More than the changes you listed which lessen this cars attractiveness is the 2+2 enlarged and lengthened roof line/wheelbase. You can put 3 carbs on it, you can even put covered headlight lenses on, but the long wheelbase with that bulbous roof is only useful if you are very tall. These are the bottom of the food chain for the e-types. But, the 4 speed helps.
This series 1 1/2 car is just about ideal on what you would hope to find. So many things are right about this car and generally unmolested. It’s been sitting a long time on its old Michelin XAS tires just waiting to be reawakened. Wish it was in my barn!
Anyone else think the front end of the car makes it look surprised to have been found?
Interesting deal here….
Looks like it’s listed on the Ebay UK site, with price in GBP. Not the best small photos, but the seller seems to be about as experienced and cooperative as you would want someone to be for an overseas buyer.
Best to hire an E-Type expert to have a look at the car. Description seems honest but brief, so additional eyes reporting on the extent of rust in the unibody would be valuable, especially since an overseas buyer isn’t going to be doing a ‘return’ after the car is shipped across the Atlantic.
An interesting question is how likely is it that someone in the UK is going to be wanting a LHD car to pour money into, especially a 2+2. Maybe someone in continental Europe?
“simply paint and drive”–LOL—
Dirt floor barn should scare anyone. I can’t imagine what would be involved to working out the bugs from storage.price seems Inline with the stuff we have seen on here!
Good luck to the new owner.
Lucas Electrical system- Prince of darkess….
Things to ponder 🤔
Steering wheel wrong side
No emissions may require in US
No safety glass in pre 70s meaning a rock will shatter glass in you face
Body work
Engine work
Shipping cost
Fyi —having to worry if Austin powers will take and repaint your car 🤠
It’s a Jaguar Pooh Bear 🐻 and it’s driving on the wrong side of the road!!
most classics imported from the USA into the UK will end up being converted to RHD during restoration, why do we import E types, MGAs and bugeyes, try finding a project car in the UK, they all rusted away 20 years ago, also in the 1950’s and 1960’s 80% of British sports car production went to the USA, we needed the cash to pay for a bit of bother we had with the Germans,
Pat gill – Actually, you are right when you said most of the production of British sports cars came to the USA, however the better statement is that 95% of British sports car production was exported world-wide.
Trying to find something as simple as a Triumph TR-4 that was sold new in the UK, is damn near an impossible task.
In the US I worked for a company back in the late 1970s & early 1980s that specialized in Triumph TR and MG A/B cars & spare parts. We were trading obsolete Jaguar, Rover, and Land Rover spare parts back to England, in exchange for TR and A/B parts we needed, as the car dealers there had no use for those car parts. There were simply not enough late-model British sports cars there to make it worth keeping the parts on inventory.
[This was all prior to the Internet opening up access to the world.] We would find & ship unwanted [in America] parts like Jag 420G front fenders and Triumph saloon body/trim parts, and the UK wholesalers [motor factor companies] shipped us container loads of TR & A/B parts. Sometimes we got brand new Jensen, TVR, Healey & Morgan spare parts cheap, “Thrown in” so they could get rid of them! [Anyone need a pair of Jensen-Healey Rocker panels [sills] – I still have a NOS set!]
For example: I was in England in 1987, and found a large stock of Triumph TR-6 Windshield assemblies [the glass/rubber, mounted in the black painted steel frame, with the stainless trim & rubber base attached]. The whole selection was offered to me for 15 Pounds each [about $20]. Turned them down because they cost too much to ship to the US!
The Oxford & Andover general area was [for me] a hotbed for small manufacturers & suppliers of car parts, I used to go into local pubs and talk about older cars and “needing spares”. Often times I was told to contact someone who either had a selection of parts, or knew where to find the stuff. Especially MG A & B parts.
Right up to the end, MG was still buying trim parts for the “B” from small companies who supplied them in small batches. I remember being offered 50 gallon steel drums full of 3 different types of MGB plastic horn button emblems for 10 pounds PER DRUM, but I would have been required to buy all 3 drums.
The man who owned the company that made the emblems said it was cheaper to run off a large number of emblems all at once, but he didn’t expect MG to cease production so soon! Hindsight: Shoulda bought ’em!