Although most post-war British sports cars are recognized as low-power vehicles that provide an engaging driving experience, Jaguar introduced a game-changer with its iconic E-Type. Now buyers could slip behind the wheel of a sports car that could effortlessly top 140mph while offering unprecedented luxury and comfort. The initial sales success motivated Jaguar to offer more luxury features and the versatility of a 2+2 option. This 1968 E-Type is one of those vehicles and is a stalled restoration awaiting the right person to weave their magic. The seller has listed the E-Type exclusively here at Barn Finds Auctions with bidding taking place below.
The seller admits she knows little about this Jaguar’s history, as it was her late husband’s pet project. Therefore, we can’t confirm its original paint shade. However, I think I can spot evidence of small areas of Opalescent Silver Blue, which makes sense since Jaguar offered the color from 1961 until 1968. The car has been entirely dismantled as part of the restoration, and I think the late owner may have addressed any potential rust issues. There is surface corrosion appearing through the gray primer, but I can’t spot any steel penetration. Stripping away the primer to remove the corrosion would be wise and is a straightforward process with the Jag in its current state. Someone has already cut away the floor pans, which is unsurprising considering how rust-prone they can be. It is unclear whether replacements are included. If they aren’t, many companies offer one-piece pans at affordable prices. It appears some glass is present, as are some trim pieces and the knock-off wire wheels. The new owner could undertake a faithful restoration, although with the project at its current stage, picking a different paint shade to personalize this classic could be a consideration.
This E-Type’s interior is an unknown quantity because it is unclear whether it includes seat frames. They aren’t visible in the supplied photos, but sourcing secondhand replacements via the usual online auction sites should not prove challenging. The dash is complete, with no missing gauges or switches. This shot reveals one fascinating aspect of this classic. It appears it is equipped with air conditioning, which may have been a later addition. Jaguar offered this option in the E-Type, but only when it introduced the Series 2. The integrated appearance suggests this was a genuine factory A/C system, which may have been dealer-installed. Once hardware like seat frames are secured, a complete retrim will be on the buyer’s agenda. Like many American classics, high-quality interior trim kits for the E-Type are readily available in the correct colors and materials. Retrimming a 2+2 is slightly more expensive than either two-seat version, so the buyer needs to budget around $7,000 for all the parts that would return the inside of this E-Type to a factory-fresh state. That sounds like a significant investment, but it should be money well spent when we tackle the subject of this car’s potential value.
Jaguar 2+2 buyers in 1968 received a 4.2-liter DOHC six under the hood that produced 266hp. The four-speed manual was the standard transmission, although buyers could follow the path this car’s original owner chose and opt for a three-speed automatic. Although the auto impacted outright performance, this classic would have covered the ¼-mile in 16.5 seconds in its prime before winding its way to 140mph. This E-Type is a mystery machine that may have a story to tell, and its engine is no exception. It features the correct ribbed cam covers the company introduced from the Series 1.5, but it breathes deeply through a set of triple SU carburetors rather than the correct twin Zenith-Strombergs. This change may have been undertaken by a previous owner and should unleash additional power. The Jag appears almost complete mechanically, although I can’t spot the transmission. The engine’s condition is unclear, but revival may not be a significant undertaking if it turns freely.
While Jaguar insists that it only offered the E-Type in Series 1, 2, and 3 versions, purists believe there was a group of cars deserving of separate status. They were the vehicles produced as the company transitioned from Series 1 to Series 2. Those Jags included some changes that defined the Series 2 but retained some of the Series 1 features. They refer to them as the Series 1.5, although they receive no recognition from Jaguar. This E-Type is one of those cars and is 1-of-1,577 Jaguar built-in 2+2 left-hand-drive form. The total E-type production figure of 72,507 cars across all models and types makes this a relatively rare beast deserving restoration. It needs love, but its lack of rust and a potential value of more than $60,000 once complete make it worthwhile.
- Location: Elkins, West Virginia
- Mileage: 89,000 Shown, TMU
- Engine: 4.2-liter Inline 6
- Transmission: Automatic
- VIN: 1E77950BW
- Title Status: Clean
Bid On This Auction
- Jeff K bid $5,200.00 2023-02-11 14:16:08
- aevum bid $5,000.00 2023-02-10 10:04:29
- eid bid $401.00 2023-02-10 09:41:23
- osr bid $300.00 2023-02-09 22:29:45
I know it was not the intention, but that first photo, looking directly at the front, every time I see it, looks like this car is vomiting its engine. Big time.
2+2. Morning sickness?
Now that you mention it, I can’t un-see it.
Yep it puked up its motor. My smile for the morning!
Man that’s a good one, but you’re totally right! Wow, what a car though! I imagine driving it would be worth the 3 years it would take me to put it all together….
Quite the poorest sales description of an E type that I have ever read . Correction , I gave up before the end….
Looks like the husband had a thing for collecting the least desirable Jags- E types 2+2 and XJS. A nice driving unit was just on BAT and only bid to 33K
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1968-jaguar-xj6-4-2/
This one would take 33K to get back on the road- too bad for the lady trying to sell off her late husband’s projects and realizing their limited value.
This E type is so far disassembled I would build a street hot rod out of it. Not to say I am a purist brought up around Jags, Ferraris, and Rolls Royces. This car is a project
I can guarantee this rebuilt will cost double the. I’d get and take twice as long. These can be challenging Project cars.
I wish the seller well. I’ve had and restored a few Jags.
Being a lover of the Holy Grail E Type, I have always felt that the 2+2 was an illegitimate abortion of the original magic. Hope it survives and someone finds their way to appreciate it????
imho
I’m in the middle of a 1968 2+2 restomod project. To say these are expensive and a lot of work to restore is an understatement. This thing makes me verp when I look at it. It would be an easy $40-60k in parts and materials doing it yourself. And you’d still be upside down. And if you have to pay for labor, forget it, head in the other direction!!! This is really no more than a parts car. You can get good money for the body and bonnet alone, and a few of the other parts here and there. But a lot of work even to sell it off as parts. I feel bad for the wife. I’m trying to finish mine so she doesn’t end up in the same boat.
A completely stripped automatic 2+2 series 2, could only get worse if it had steel wheels. Great time for a resto mod, or part it out…to build it you will be so far under water, even if you can do all the work yourself.
The engine shown is from a Jaguar MkX saloon and as set up will not fit in the E-Type. The inlet manifold here keeps the triple carbs too high to clear the bonnet. The oil pan, exhaust manifolds and cooling fan will all need replacing with E-Type specific items. Also, the carbs have a different choke mechanism to an E. The head and block will work but will be numbered as a MkX engine if that matters. Assume it will be a rebuild in any case. Before investing too much, I would want to check out the engine frames as they look like they have had quite a life.
How about that T-Bucket next to it? Body swap? LOLOLOL
If high bidder flakes, I’d be interested in this project.
Sorry I missed the auction but if the buyer backs out, I am interested.