Many classics can be described as handsome, but very few have earned the tag of achingly beautiful. The Jaguar E-Type OTS rightfully deserves that title, and this 1970 Series 2 takes it to a higher level. It has clocked a mere fifty miles since undergoing a meticulous restoration. No aspect of this car escaped the owner’s attention in their quest for perfection. However, a lack of recent use has motivated them to move it to a new home where it can be driven and appreciated. The E-Type is listed here at Barn Finds Classifieds in Lafayette, California. The seller set a price of $90,000, and with values climbing strongly, the new owner could drive away in a car that is not only one of the most beautiful ever produced but a classic that could be an excellent long-term investment.
Regular readers will be aware of my passion for the Jaguar E-Type, especially the OTS variant. Few cars have created the sensation it did when Jaguar removed the covers on March 15, 1961, at the Geneva Motor Show. Enzo Ferrari has been credited with describing it as “the most beautiful car ever made,” although this quote has never been confirmed true. It remained in production until 1974, with the Series 2 released in 1968. The seller purchased this beauty from its previous owner, who had commenced its restoration. The process continued from 2017 until 2022, with the Jaguar dismantled to the last nut and bolt in the quest for perfection. The body and frame were media blasted, with the panels returned to a laser-straight state before receiving a coat of Regency Red paint. This shade joined the E-Type’s color palette in 1969, remaining available until production ended. Photos don’t do this Jaguar justice because its presentation is exceptional. The paint reflects its surroundings like a mirror, while every piece of trim and chrome was refurbished before being reattached. The wire wheels are in as-new condition, and the glass is spotless. With so few miles covered since the specialists involved in this build downed their tools for the final time, it is easy to understand why there is nothing to criticize.
Purists considering the investment potential of this E-Type will be pleased to know it is a numbers-matching vehicle. Its engine bay houses the magnificent 4.2-liter DOHC straight six that sends 266hp and 283 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. The drag strip is not an E-Type’s natural habitat, although the ¼-mile ET of 15.1 seconds proves it is no pushover. However, the top speed of 144mph confirms that these classics genuinely shine when pointed at the open road. It is also worth remembering that these aren’t a one-trick pony. Independent suspension on all corners and four-wheel disc brakes guarantee they handle and stop superbly. Jaguar aimed to produce a total package, and journalists and owners agreed they achieved that goal. The panels and paint weren’t the only aspects of this classic that received attention during the build. Every mechanical component was restored, rebuilt, or refurbished to ensure the car was a turnkey proposition. It has only clocked fifty miles since work ended, leaving the new owner to break-in a vehicle that runs and drives perfectly.
You didn’t think the interior would escape the current owner’s attention, did you? It has been totally restored, with new Black leather that looks supple and inviting. The Regency Red and Black paint and trim combination is one of the most desirable offered during E-Type production, meaning this gem will tick the box for many prospective buyers. With so few miles clocked since the restoration ended, it is unsurprising that the presentation is perfect. There is no wear or physical damage, and it is guaranteed this interior will receive favorable comments at shows, a Cars & Coffee, and from casual passers-by in the street. There are no aftermarket additions, and the car retains its correct pushbutton radio for in-car entertainment in the unlikely event the new owner tires of the tune sung by the beautiful straight-six.
Jaguar created the E-Type to compete head-to-head with European exotics from manufacturers like Ferrari. The ace up its sleeve was that despite offering comparable performance, it did so at a significantly lower price. If you have never driven an E-Type, you have missed one of the motoring world’s greatest pleasures. I have, and although over three decades have passed since, the memory is vividly clear whenever I close my eyes. The E-Type, especially in OTS form, is one of the few classics that has posted ongoing value gains, even when the market struggled. That trend shows no sign of slowing, making this a potentially excellent long-term investment. Hmm, exceptional driving pleasure and investment potential. I can’t think of a downside to that equation. Can you?
You know, growing old is all about reflecting on what an amazing( or crappy) life you had. This site bolsters that to an extent with the “visuals”. I hope it does for others too. I had an amazing life, with only half a handful of regrets. One of the earliest, was in 1973, I landed a foundry job( now a Meijer food store) that paid a whopping $4.25/hr. Up considerable from my Target gas station job of $1.77. Living at home, the money burned a typical hole in my pocket, and the Opel Rallye, a nice car btw, just wouldn’t do, so a car hunting I went. With a hankerin’ for British roadsters, the AH 100-6 of my brothers sealed that fate, a dealer on the S. side of Milwaukee, “Sports & Foreign”, had every sports car you could think of, mostly British. On the lot, was a 1970 Jag just like this, only Pee Green. Price? Are you sitting down? $2895. Right next to it, was a ’71 MGB,like new, $1995. Try as I did , the bank would only lend a 22 year old punk $2grand. My old man for the rest? Pfft, he wanted me out of the house. I couldn’t raise the extra $900 bucks for the Jag, a lot of money in ’73 and “settled” on the MGB. The MGB was NOT one of my regrets, but passing on the Jag was. What a find here. It’s beautiful and don’t make the same mistake I did, go for it!
Great comments. Up to this point I can’t think of any cars, even the ones that I dearly love, that have upstaged the XKE. Did the same thing as Howard except I couldn’t afford the MGB sitting next to the MG Midget.
It was around 1973 that I bought my MGA 1600 Mk1 for £100.00 in poor but just running condition, a few weeks later I was offered an XK120 but that had body issues, a Mk2 Jag engine and was £200.00, I declined it, and later was offered a 1966 4.2 E type coupe with some rust but that was a whopping £600.00, no way, anyhow I was still paying off the MGA at £10.00 a week! still have that same MGA………….
Was the engine and transmission rebuilt?
Can you understand what it said about this E-TYPE .
ITS BEEN FULLY RESTORED AND EVERYTHING WAS REBUILT OR REFURBISHED
SO OT LIKE IT JUST ROLLED OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE.
$90,000 here and $70,000 on evil bay and there doesn’t appear to be a reserve nice car and its one of the few jaguar I would consider owning but at those numbers its way out of my price range for a toy that would have to sit outside in the weather.
Although the car appears in flawless condition, it’s priced maybe on the high side by $10K. EType prices have followed the sudden retreat of collector car values, and Series 2 cars are always less desirable.
But I would swap out the Solex’s fora set of triple SU’s, add the aftermarket covered headlights conversion, and drive every day I could.
The year of Woodstock, a female friend with hair that matched the pale yellow on her new XKE convertible that her daddy had bought her for graduation from college, asked me if I wanted to go, I had camping gear, we were friends but not lovers. I said “no” because I had to work. So she asked another guy in our group of friends, who went. They never got there, too much rain, no safe place to park the car (they were often stolen back then), shacked up in a motel, according to the guy, hit it off, got married later on. Not sure I regret it or not! A beautiful car complete with beautiful woman.
I had a NEW 65,4.2,XKE,,,
Loved that auto,,,spent
a lot of money on keeping
it great shape,,,held on to it
for 25 years,,!!
If anyone needs information
or advice on early E-types
I invite them to contact me
in NY call me:
718-530-8879
I have parts knowledge on all
E-types,,,,1961 – – 1967.
Great write-up, Adam. I’ve had the great pleasure of owning two E-types: a Ser 1 coupe, and a Ser 3 roadster. The coupe was a restoration project I bought in ’97 for $9,250. It took about 4 years to restore, then I drove it for another 20 years. I did a minor mechanical restoration on the Ser 3, but mostly just enjoyed driving it. They are wonderful cars indeed and get smiles and waives wherever you go. The best was a standing ovation the Ser 1 received when my wife and I parked that beautiful black coupe in front of an outdoor restaurant!
Finally, something for a well healed owner that gets their kicks backing out of an enclosed trailer they pull with their giant pickup. Not my cuppa, but to each his or her own.
Overall, this is a very nice E Type, but I would not say it is perfect. Giving a Series II car early Series I uncomfortable, incorrect and non-adjustable “clamshell” seats, helps contradict the concept of getting the car as an investment. The car is also missing its chrome frames around the tail lamps, that serve to visually transition the lights to the bodywork. Series III cars don’t have them because the bodywork was enlarged to blend straight into the aforementioned tail lamps, but all Series II cars came with them.
This car is missing its big, central emissions cross-over pipe, which is not a bad thing given that it reduces power, but whether this car has the original 9:1 compression, or the reduced 7.9: 1 that came towards the end of 1970 is not mentioned. If the last digit of the engine number ends in “-9_it means the desirable compression. If absent it means the reduced power.
As an investment the car would be better off with its original twin fans and not the modern, cheaper aftermarket ones. It is easy to say that the modern ones are “better”, but the originals were a huge improvement over the Series I “lawnmower blade” single fan and did not give problems when the car was serviced regularly and correctly. As a matter of fact, the Series II E Type was the first car in the world to feature two electric fans! It was also the first car in the world to feature standard brakes with triple callipers…and made of stainless steel to boot!
As long as we’re being nit-picky, let’s not forget the incorrect shift knob, and empty tool roll. You’re right, those incorrect seats are a disaster. But yes indeed, this is a very beautiful Jag! GLWA ….
The sale does include re-upholstered series 2 seats that match the interior. The fan system is, in some respects, necessary as cooling is important. The owner, Kent
The sale does include re-upholstered series 2 seats that match the interior. The fan system is, in some respects, necessary as cooling is important. The owner, Kent
Kent: I am not sure what you mean about those aftermarket fans being “necessary”. My ’69 still has its original white fans that have never been rebuilt–still with their original cloth-covered wiring. They continue to run flawlessly in heavy, hot summer traffic, 54 years on and counting…which attests to the fact that if these cars are cared for competently, they are good quality for their era.
I am glad that the next owner gets the correct adjustable seats with the headrests. If the car is also to be an investment, the next owner would be wise to both buy a replacement set of chrome tail lamp frames as well as reissued, correct replacement electric fans. Good luck with the sale and I hope it works out well for you and the buyer.
I also bought a basket case ’67 XK-E OTS. Hard to say which memory stands out more. The 2 year job of restoring it (at least so it was roadworthy) or the joy of driving it. But it sure garnered looks whenever it was parked.
Also on E-BAY
https://www.ebay.com/itm/134844221872
First time I saw a Jag was my next door neighbor, a pilot out of Patrick AFB around 1965, who drove a powder blue model. We caught him coming home with a very tasty blonde beauty dressed in the 60’s mod style. We were teasing them and accused them of being lovers, which cracked them up. We were like 3 to 6 yrs old. I think our irreverent banter was the result of watching too much Rowan and Martins Laugh In or The Dating Game or perhaps Tom & Jerry(?). Whenever I see a Jag I remember that and wonder what became of them. Hope he made it thru the war and married that sweet thing!
Two words: Lottery Car! If I hit the lottery, I’d be on the phone in a heartbeat! But since I’m still poor as of this writing, I’ll have to be content to gaze lustfully from afar! But if such an expert as Enzo Ferrari says it’s the most beautiful car ever made, who am I to disagree? There’s a Powerball drawing tonight, so if my ticket pays off, we’ll be in touch, LOL!
Kent: I am not sure what you mean about those aftermarket fans being “necessary”. My ’69 still has its original white fans that have never been rebuilt–still with their original cloth-covered wiring. They continue to run flawlessly in heavy, hot summer traffic, 54 years on and counting…which attests to the fact that if these cars are cared for competently, they are good quality for their era.
I am glad that the next owner gets the correct adjustable seats with the headrests. If the car is also to be an investment, the next owner would be wise to both buy a replacement set of chrome tail lamp frames as well as reissued, correct replacement electric fans. Good luck with the sale and I hope it works out well for you and the buyer.
I’ll check with my restoration shop and see if he still has the original fans. Thanks for the help. K
I see these and here the stories and honestly I was for the most part a typical inner city kid. Cars like this were in richie rich ville. One did run into the rear of our 71 Impala. The Impala required a new bumper. Anyway, imagine working a wrecking yard in the 80s and tired old crap thats owners left at the foreign car repair or were tired of seeing it in the driveway of their upscale house call the junk man to haul it away. Yup, atleast a half a dozen. I was young, I had a 59 Impala convertible and a few others, inboard disc’s, Lucas electrical….no thanks. Many received the small block chevy operation but in the end yes. I put a few through the press after the local English geeks plucked whatever from them and yes at times it is one of those car things that haunts me.