- Seller: Gene B (Contact)
- Location: San Diego, California
- Mileage: 33,486 Shown
- Chassis #: 1E15071
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: None
- Transmission: None
Few project cars generate excitement quite like a Jaguar E-Type, and this 1967 Jaguar XK-E Roadster Series 1.5 looks like the sort of long-stalled restoration that could tempt an ambitious British car enthusiast. Located in San Diego, California, this unfinished project has already had significant work done and comes with a substantial collection of parts gathered over decades, and is now being offered here as a Barn Finds Auction!
Jaguar’s Series 1.5 cars occupy an interesting place in E-Type history, serving as interim models built during the transition brought on by changing U.S. safety regulations. As the seller notes, this one is essentially a Series 1 with uncovered headlamps, and it originally would have been powered by a 4.2-liter inline-six backed by a fully synchronized manual transmission. Unfortunately, neither the engine nor the transmission is included here, so the next owner will need to source a drivetrain before this roadster returns to the road. While we aren’t typically fans of engine swaps, but a small block V8 would fit and could be a fun option.
That said, this Jaguar appears to come with a lot more than just a bare shell. The seller says the car was purchased in 1990 (they provided us with the bill of sale from 1990), and over the years, nearly every item needed to restore it was purchased, collected, and stored indoors. Included with the sale are a full interior kit, seals and rubbers, the original flip-switch dash components, and even a second full dash from a 1967 4.2 sedan. The car also comes with both the folding soft top and a fiberglass “works” cap. The seller has provided a massive number of photos to show the wide assortment of loose parts, interior pieces, trim, brake components, and body-related items.
The seller states that the car had rust in the floors and sills at some point, and those sections were repaired using Martin Robey panels. However, the outer sills and transmission panels were not installed and are included separately. As you can see in the photos, there’s still a lot of work to do before the car can be assembled, but having the major rust repairs already done is a huge plus.
A few upgrades were acquired along the way as well, including Wilwood rear calipers and rotors, an adjustable front torsion-bar crossmember, an aluminum radiator with an integral fan, and a new-old-stock rack-and-pinion steering assembly. Those extras could help offset some restoration costs, although any bidder will still want to study the photos carefully and confirm exactly what is included before placing a bid.
Paperwork is always important on a project of this scale. The seller states that the Jaguar comes with an Owner’s Certificate of Registration from Georgia, which will allow you to get a title in any State, along with a notarized bill of sale from when they purchased it. As always, prospective bidders should make sure they are comfortable with the documentation and registration requirements in their own state before moving forward.
For someone who has always wanted an E-Type Roadster but doesn’t mind taking on a restoration, this 1967 Jaguar could represent an intriguing opportunity. It is missing its drivetrain and still needs major work, but the included parts inventory and indoor storage history may make it more attractive than a stripped shell with nothing to go with it. If you’ve been looking for a classic Jaguar project, this one may deserve a closer look!
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- Adjustable torsion crossmember
Bid On This Auction
dnieuwenhuis bid $4,000.00 2026-04-28 07:19:44
Rcherch bid $3,500.00 2026-04-25 10:43:47
BlisterEm bid $2,500.00 2026-04-25 10:20:49
Not a project for someone unschooled in the marque, I’d think.
But the XK-E has been, and will continue to be, a high-water mark in automotive history. I hope it finds a really good home.
Sourcing the engine and transmission may be a real challenge. There are several other straight-6 options if a V8 isn’t good.
The seller has actually located a Jaguar 4.2-liter with a transmission in San Diego. They are working on getting us more details, so we can pass it along to the high bidder.
I have located a 4.2 engine, AND manual transmission for sale here in San Diego for $2k, and would be glad to share contact info re: same.
The early produced 1.5 cars actually had the covered headlights like the 1.0 did with the changeover occurring after the first 775 +/- cars were produced.
Does the seller have any information if there was a front end accident or is the car accident free? What is necessary for a pre purchase inspection approval?
The bonnet is crumpled up a bit, looks more like running into a curb than a collision with a car, nothing on the front framework is bent or damaged, the rusty bulkhead panels replace but nowhere on the car are crumples or ares of bondo thick enough to keep a rubber refrigerator magnet from sticking to metal. The dents to the door and rear fender were caused by the shippers since they had to push the non running car on and off the trailers accross country.
The bonnet is crumpled for what looks like curb damage and not a collision. Check all the under hood photos. Not one item in bent in any way, and you can see where the new lower firewall bulkheads have been replaced. The body has been examined with a refrigerator magnet and it attaches everywhere on the body, no apparent bondo. The dents in the driver door and rear fender were caused by the shipping company having to push around a non running vehicle.
I’m approaching 80. I look at projects like this and just laugh…
So is this titled in current CA owner/sellers name? Or is it still titled in previous GA owners name?
This care is still on a signed Georgia Certificate of Registration, with a letter of authorization from the purveyor and a notorized Bill of Sale
This Jag reminds me of watching the British TV series “A Car Is Reborn” several years ago. The host bought an XKE out of a barnyard, and did a complete restoration. Unlike some of his more pedestrian restorations, he had to get some Jaguar specialists involved to get the drivetrain sorted, and the rust issues popped up everywhere when they put the body on a rotisserie frame. The guy did an amazing job, and man, was it an incredible car when he finished it. No idea what it cost to do it all, but amazing to watch the work being properly done. Of course, being in England, he had a fairly good source of available parts and specialists to help him out. He went on to do a series of “A Motorcycle is Reborn” shows that were also fun to watch, and convinced the majority of viewers that should just take on that crusty Royal Enfield listed in the local swap and shop flyer because, see, anyone could do it with a box of hand tools and a few bits of wire.
The host’s name was Mark Evan’s, and he also did a series on the MGB, Land Rover and the Brit version of the AC Cobra, which was called a Pilgrim Sumo (wierd, but true). If you were restoring one of these cars, the show was a pretty good guide on how to do it right.
Did the Seller, or the dismantler, do anything to the IRS? I do not see any photos of this independent rear suspension which is a costly replacement.
The IRS is totally untouched, but in the parts are all new rubber seal, cover gasket and Wilwood conversion new brake calipers and rotors
Dammit. I’m getting too old for this nonsense and don’t need another project. And then, I’m just cruising through the Matrix enjoying the morning news and this gorgeous, distressed, Brit, in a short skirt waltzes by. Oh and she’s nearby. Awesome. Time to put the Marcos on sale!
Cool project for someone who knows what they’re doing and has deep pockets. Personally, I’d spend the money on a well sorted example…….and probably be saving a bunch after all is said and done.
It looks like a good project if I wasnt 81 yrs old And working on a 82 Lancia Zagato project i would take it on.
I think a 2jz would annoy the purists!
Possibly one of the best Series I 4.2 projects available. Having saved a few E type Jags, these are not for amateurs and get expensive quickly. Nothing like a finished E type vert!
This E Type is what unofficially is known as a Series 1.25. While it has the uncovered headlamps, it still has the Series 1 toggle switches and three SUs…but retains the less desirable cooling and brakes of the pure Series 1. Whatever motor is sourced, it will need to be a three SU HD8 version and not a twin Zenith-Stromberg variant, as that only started as of January 1, 1968. To those talking about a V-8 swap…your VALUE WILL BE SO LOW, YOU ARE GUARANTEED A HUGE MONEY LOSER! The E Type is a valuable classic…NOT some sort of kit car. Would you put an American V-8 in an Aston Martin or an original Ferrari Daytona?
Totally agree it would be a shame to do any other than proper stock restoration. Having located both a 4.2 engine and transmission here in San Diego, pulled from a 1965 coupe, with proper oil pan, for $2k, makes it all the easier.
I’m not a buyer as I did my one and only E Type years ago, but I wanted to thank you for your efforts in supplying needed information to your prospective buyers. It’s rare these days but I found that method sells cars.
Yep, that’s exactly what an American might do! I’m surprised that so far I haven’t seen the “Needs a SBC motor” yet!
Needs a SBC engine. Happy now UK dude?
@huck. No comment!
It’ll be interesting to see the final hammer price. Someone sees lots of parts they want/need/can’t get. Probably a restoration or Jag specialist.
This kind of stuff lives in a different bubble than your typical ‘merican iron. That’s because the finished pieces are worth well over $100K. That leaves some room for restorers to make it worth the effort.
That’s not the case for 99.9% of most cars.
Thanks to all the informed comments. I had seriously considered restoring this but my Jag expert backed out. Still need-want a project but will wait for another opportunity.
I have a 3.8 Jag engine and 4speed /w overdrive from a 67 s-type for sale at the right price? These are great cars.
I would love to have this one but age is a factor for completion.
Thanks, Tom