In the world of roadsters, few cars have remained so significant for so long as the Jaguar XKE. It helps that this is easily one of the most beautifully-designed cars ever made, and to this day, few models have rivaled it. Like most iconic vehicles, the earliest versions are the most desirable, even if they are not the most powerful. While later cars may add horsepower and features, it’s rare that the subsequent versions ever get as close to the raw beauty that the earliest cars posses, representing the shortest gap between what the original designers worked up in sketches and reality. This Series 1 E-Type is listed here on eBay with a matching factory hardtop for $42,500.
The seller, Gullwing Motor Cars, doesn’t give us a lot to work with in terms of photos. It appears to be a correct car in many ways, with the stunning ensconced headlights (later deleted per U.S. safety regulations – what a tragedy), 15-inch wire wheels with knock-off hubs, and the correct upper-mounted taillights (moved below the rear bumper on later models.) We’d love to see the interior with the classic toggle-style switchgear and other instrumentation that was toned down in subsequent generations. The hardtop is a significant item of value here, as recent sales show $10,000 and up is not uncommon, with much higher numbers possible in the pandemic bubble era.
The 4.2L inline-six was (and still is) an impressive unit, emitting 265 horsepower and 283 lb-ft of torque. The E-Type is one of those machines that was designed and executed properly at all levels, save for the classic issues with British electronics. The powerful engine, striking styling, and simplicity of the lineup (coupe and convertible, with the 2-seater and 2+2 option sprinkled in) showed that you didn’t need a deep model lineup to bring customers in if the base product was good enough on its own. This E-Type does not have its matching engine any longer, but he seller claims the replacement is still “correct.”
British Racing Green over black is about as ideal of a combination as you can come up with for a classic E-Type. This has been a funny market as of late, with many sellers not letting their cars go after not hitting reserve. The best of the best can still clear $100,000 with the right presentation, but many others are stalling out in the $80-$90K range. Is this simply a pause in the market or an more permanent reset for cars over a certain age? I love the E-Type like many others do and suspect it has resiliency similar to a long-hood 911, but right now, this may be a tough sale at the asking price.
Headlight covers have some sort of problem, no interior shots, and no underside photos to check on the British rust rodent. Wonder what Gullwing knows about this car that we don’t.
The ad says the E-Type is “awaiting restoration,” so expect the worst. I’ve never seen an inexpensive restoration on one of these cars, and this looks like no exception.
An expert could tell us if the hardtop is a factory option or not. It doesn’t look like any “factory” lid I can remember seeing. The bonnet looks to be unlatched, or is a sign that something is decidedly out of whack. Since the passenger-side door seems not to fit correctly, I believe the latter to be the case.
In short, I suspect “Gullwing Motor Cars” doesn’t know too much about the car. They probably snagged it for peanuts, dragged it onto a trailer, and attached a pretty hefty markup.
Did one XKE in the ’80s and said I’d never do another one, and I haven’t. Price is nuts.