Bidding has moved past $50K for this claimed low-mileage 1966 Jaguar E-Type convertible. As much as I love Jaguar’s iconic sports car, I’m almost becoming jaded at the sheer number of these that appear in barn-find condition – was that a prerequisite for owning an E-Type? Regardless, the seller is very confident in the claimed 12,054-mile odometer reading and bidders seem to agree with his assessment; you’ll find the Jaguar here on eBay with the reserve unmet.
The seller happened upon a stash of E-Types, according to the listing, all belonging to a long-time enthusiast owner. Two of the other vehicles had body damage that was repaired with new sheetmetal but left unfinished; it’s hard to tell to what extent the nose of this car has undergone previous repairs, but it has been repainted at least once. The seller notes the headlamp covers, bumper pieces, fender trim and other bits are all included in the sale but not attached. Out of the other vehicles for sale, this is easily the most desirable with a manual transmission and numbers-matching drivetrain.
The interior looks quite good, with untorn leather, a clean dash and preserved console. This is perhaps the most convincing photo for the claimed low-mileage condition, as it’s difficult for vintage interiors to look this sound without being restored or replaced. The seller is not a Jaguar expert and has not had the E-Type on a lift, so there’s some self-guided detective work to be done by any enthusiasts pursuing this auction; then again, this Jaguar collection from Connecticut was likely somewhat known in collector circles, so perhaps the cars have all been inspected at some point in their long-parked past.
The seller says this 1966 example is as rust-free as they come, and this underbody shot is certainly convincing. The engine is verified as numbers-matching; the transmission is not. It’s a non-runner but the seller says the engine cranks over fine. Brakes are toast, so you’re not driving this one home. Although it’s risky to buy a vehicle like this from a non-enthusiast, it’s hard to deny the high levels of preservation on display here. The auction ends Sunday, so there’s plenty of time for this one to go higher.
Sorry Jeff but I can’t agree, this looks like a poorly preserved car. The rockers have water bubbles in the paint, the hood is a mess and there are signs of rust creeping in around the rear quarter panel and rear wheel wells. Even if it is a low miler it is still going to need a bumper to bumper rotisserie restoration to bring the big bucks. To pay $50k+!!! Well as the saying goes a fool and his money soon will part ways, or maybe the more commonly known saying, there’s a sucker born every day. It would have to be a driver with a good condition well maintained status to be worth this find of scratch.JMO.
I know, I know, Crazy high price, but that’s what the market will bear. That’s what they consistently bring.
There’s a few listed here including a driver for $82k.
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/?q=1966+e+type
And, in this particular case,
How many 12,000 mile E types are out there?
Condition wise this is in excellent shape compared to some of the rusty hulks being passed off as “restorable.”
If the 12k original miles can be confirmed (and it looks like it can) then this series 1 e-type will go well North of $154,000 average price, when restored. Add the fact that Silver opalesant blue is a highly desirable color and someone will make money on this deal and they won’t be a sucker. IMHO
I’ve got one with 20K miles and it looks way better than this.
I’m starting to wonder what I can get for my low mileage Hot-Wheels cars!
There are so many barn find Jags because that’s where they all went when they died. That’s where they should stay too. If you want something you can drive more than once a month between repairs buy something else.
Looks like the perfect dream car. You walk around the outside seeing all the work to be done, open the door and slip into the not terrible interior, grip the wheel & shifter and start dreaming.
It might be a 12K mile car, but I wouldn’t buy it because of that claim. I might buy it if I thought the rust could be dealt with without major metal surgery requiring many hours of highly skilled work. It actually looks like somebody could make this deal work if the rust hasn’t taken too deep a hold, but you would need to go and look—-and bring your metal man for an expert opinion and an estimate.
The good news is that these have sold recently at auction in excellent condition for a median price of $161,500, so there might be room to do what’s needed and not be underwater.
But best to go there and actually look at it because the seller says it’s a 2+2, and it isn’t. Maybe just a temporary brain glitch made him type those numbers, but that tells me that my metal man and I would need to lay eyes on the car ourselves.
And there’s no evidence that the speedo hasn’t gone around, so I would want to do a cold compression test, since the seller implies but doesn’t actually say, that the engine turns over. If the engine does turn over and the compression numbers are all close to each other, it might be OK, but you would really only know once you started it up after a proper engine tuneup. That’s a risk, so risk control in the form of not paying too much, is needed here.
Dolphin, I believe the seller is saying there is also a 66 2+2, and a 69 convertible, not that the car for sale is a 2+2. His wording did throw me off a little too.
That is correct, there were 4 cars total. The three listed and a 53 XK120.
Thanks for the correction guys. That’s good, because it makes the car a bit less of a risk, and the seller more believable in what he says. This sale looks more appealing, given the prices that good 4.2 E-Types are bringing nowadays.
barrett-jackson barn finds!
OMG… I should have kept my Series 1.5 hard top a little longer. Sold it in 2003 for $52k and thought I was doing well.
You did very well. Much better than I did when I sold my Series 1 fhc for $28K plus extra ‘new’ parts. I could almost triple that # now…..
caveat Emptor—I see surface rust under there–need a fine tooth comb inspection…upwards of 50k plus resto—-deeeeeep pockets needed….
Good luck to the new owner!!!
I know of these cars and was chasing them. The original owner is a bit of an odd duck..I do not know the seller but do know he is close to the owner. A friend of mine was able to purchase the 53 XK120 from him about a year ago. I offered my assistance but… He obviously went with the familial connection. I dare say I would have handled things somewhat differently. They are solid, been in a concrete garage for years. The Etype pictured was buried under bushels of rotted onions. Thought I had photo on my phone, must be in my file on desktop. Looks well cleaned up too.
Talk soon
I have a ’64 with 4 times the miles in original condition that doesn’t look this bad ….some folks apparently just are storage dumb.
Wow hot chrome and gray leather… very nice
Step aside gents…ive got deep pockets and lots of love for jaguars
Sold for $80100.