- Seller: David B (Contact)
- Location: Manchester, Vermont
- Mileage: 47,000 Shown
- Chassis #: 1S7347
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 5.3-Liter V12
- Transmission: Automatic
Few cars capture the imagination of enthusiasts like the Jaguar E-Type. Even Enzo Ferrari famously called it “the most beautiful car in the world.” This 1972 Jaguar E-Type 2+2 Fixed Head Coupe, now up for auction in Manchester, Vermont, offers a rare chance to bring one of these icons back to life. With just 47,000 miles showing, a clean title, and much of its originality intact, it’s an exciting project that could go in several different directions: restoration, restomod, or even vintage racing.
This car has a unique backstory. Purchased more than 40 years ago by the seller’s late brother while he was living in Texas, the Jaguar was partially disassembled for restoration before receiving a fresh coat of Regency Red paint. His career as an architect took him from Texas to New York City and eventually overseas, so the car, along with its parts, was shipped to his sister’s property in Vermont for long-term storage. Life moved on, and the E-Type remained tucked away in a barn, waiting for its day to return to the road. After his passing, the car officially transferred into his sister’s name, and it is now being offered here as a Barn Finds Auction.
The good news: the body remains solid overall, with a bonnet in very good condition and minimal rust beyond the lower rear quarter panels and a hole in the back seat floor area. The front frame assembly is also in very good shape. This E-Type retains its correct 5.3-liter V12 engine, factory air conditioning components, new A-arms and bushings already installed, and even a still-wrapped Ansa exhaust system ready for use.
The challenges: not all of the parts are present, the rear brakes are locked, the engine is currently seized, and the car is missing much of its glass (aside from the rear side wings). The data tag under the bonnet is gone, making it difficult to confirm whether the drivetrain is numbers-matching.
But despite those issues, this E-Type remains a worthy project. Every component for these cars is available through well-known suppliers, meaning what can’t be restored can be sourced. For purists, it could be restored to original condition; for those with a creative streak, it could form the basis of a thrilling vintage race car or even a bespoke restomod. As the seller notes, even parting it out could prove profitable, with bonnets alone fetching $5,000 to $10,000 on the market.
Offered with a clean Vermont title and detailed photos, this 1972 Jaguar E-Type 2+2 represents more than just a project—it’s an opportunity to shape a blank canvas of one of the most beautiful cars ever built. Would you restore this one to concours glory, or turn it into a custom build with modern performance under those timeless lines?
Bid On This Auction
James M bid $5,000.00 2025-10-10 10:58:31
Stephen Niznik bid $4,750.00 2025-10-10 10:51:30
Wrecks bid $4,500.00 2025-10-10 10:33:12- James M bid $4,250.00 2025-10-10 09:26:54
- Wrecks bid $4,000.00 2025-10-10 07:05:15
S3 bid $3,000.00 2025-10-10 06:10:39- Wrecks bid $2,500.00 2025-10-09 09:31:37
Gavin75 bid $1,000.00 2025-10-04 14:50:33
TEDIS bid $750.00 2025-10-04 04:16:38
Nice paint job on wiring and glad to hear that a new exhaust system will be available to bolt onto that engine that’s been left wide open to the dust and dirt and probably a couple of mice or two.
Whaddya want, it was done 40 years ago and probably by a guy named Earl .. wink, wink.
It is what it is and the sister has no control over what her brother did 40 years ago.
It’s better off here than going to a crusher …
Look what can be done in the right hands:
https://www.motorcarsinc.com/grrrowlr.aspx
Our friends at Motorcars Incorporated built the Grrrowler from an E Type FHC just like this one.
There are a ton of parts that DO come with her and I have close to 400 photos of all the nooks and crannies and all the parts.
Please feel free to hit the “Contact” button up above.
I will of course be monitoring the auction for any comments/questions.
That’s some fine car Dean and friends put together. Everything fits where it’s supposed to enhance the overall look. Beautiful!
THAT is how Jag should have done the roof in the first place!
New paint with rust on the rockers and a hole in the floor? Sounds a little back asswards .
I would imagine that the rust in the body has reared it ugly head AFTER the paint was done 40 years ago.
What about trims, glass window hardware, etc. is it needed or is it included?
Hi Stephen,
Hit the contact button up top and I can set you up with a link to about 400 photos. The only glass that comes with the car are the two rear vent windows.
The missing parts are a real problem here to begin with, but there are plenty of parts cars to be found. Interior and exterior trims can be nearly unobtainable. If, and it’s a BIG IF, the engine can be freed up, and it’s a true early production first year V12, it’s the higher horsepower high compression version. Without the missing data plate it requires serious research. The BW automatic is notoriously sloppy with a near 25% friction loss, so that needs to go away, and there’s good aftermarket choices for replacing the carbs with fuel injection. Not a cheap restoration
Not at all difficult to determine if its a matching numbers car – just order the Jaguar Heritage Certificate.
It kind of looks a little strange with XJ wheels. (AM I correct with that observation? Im not a Jaguar guy ) I love the roadsters and the original coupes are gorgeous! I was able to spend some time with one about 15 years ago. But the 2+2 change ruins the look for me. The V12 is a huge plus (if salvagable) But the automatic is a, negative. My wife drove an XKE back in the day after she gave up riding motorcycles and loved it. But it was also maintenance/repair intensive. Looks like a restoration candidate IF all the parts are there and there is minimal rust found after a very thorough inspection.
The steel wheels you see here are original equipment. They were an option (you had to pay extra!) on Ser II and Ser III E-Types.
I guess I’ll be the first to say that the 2+2s are ugly-
no, nor last.
I tend to disagree w/ya tho.
Full disclosure:
For me? any short deck areo rear, FB roofed,
long nose, low to ground, short WB, tuned suspension
performance (esp the ICE cross-flows) motor-ed is a model
to consider. “GT” or not
I ‘consider’ the jag XKE, esp as an i6 & early pack leader.
The look has been copied for years world round for reason~
The old man Enzo couldn’t imagine that the design (shape) was under utmost secrecy done from one of his own (almost). Young talented engineer from Pininfarina (or Bertone) design studios was hired, a lot of money offered and secrecy contact signed to not reveal his name or studio of the design. It’s now 10 more or less years that the truth was revealed.
A lot of coupes and 2+2s have been converted to convertibles, or does my memory fail me? I looked at a coupe body in the late 1980s, complete interior and guages, for $500. The guy was going to put it on a Caprice Classic chassis with a 454 engine, but he had found a C2 Vette and just wanted to get rid of the body. How about put the body on a 2004 or so XKR? You get a Lincoln engine that way ;)
Saw this car at the Equinox hillclimb in August
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2855794981279562
When I was a kid, I played violin. I also saw an E-Type V12, and I lost my mind, and needed one desperately.
So I made a bet with my dad: If I could play “La Ronde de Lutins” by Bazzini (which is the equivalent of every Van Halen solo on speed, but for a violin), he’d buy me an E-Type V12. He even went and got the sheet music for it.
I’m not lying when I say I couldn’t even hit the first note.
Many years later, I was talking with my dad about this, and I asked if he would have paid up if I could do it. He said “It was a pretty safe bet. And if you could play it at 10 years old, you could go out and get your own Jaguar…”
This needs to be inspected by a knowledgeable Jag mechanic/body guy. It has a ton of potential if the body is not rusted, to make it economic suicide to purchase. I have owned a 61 coupe, 69 Roadster, and 72 coupe. The roof of this 2+2 looks fine, I don’t care for the earlier 2+2 roofline, it is too high. This could be a great value, as they are fairly easy to wrench on, the only complication is the V12, but that early engine, as mentioned, is very smooth and powerful, and a blast to drive. Especially with a manual. These are great touring cars, look fabulous, it just depends on how much you want to do with your money or your hands. Certainly worth a look if the dark side of the force is grabbing you! Good luck, and thanks for bringing this XKE to BF.
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