The Jaguar E-Type was described as “The most beautiful car ever made” by none other than Enzo Ferrari. Who wouldn’t lust after all those curves? This particular example is a two-owner low-mileage 1968 Jaguar E-Type. It is a California car with a rust-free body and it just came out of long term storage. Find it here on eBay in Santa Monica, California with bidding at $19,100 and the reserve not yet met.
This E-Type is a ‘Series 1.5’ car, an unofficial designation indicating that the engine and interior differ from earlier cars in small ways that better adapt it for sale in the US. The most obvious external difference is the exposed headlights on this car, but in other respects the body is just like the Series 1 cars. The odometer shows just over 46,000 miles and the interior looks remarkably well preserved for a 44-year old car, facts that are consistent with the seller’s claim that the car was last driven in 1978.
The engine bay looks clean and tidy, with only light surface rust on some steel parts. The seller mounted new tires all around to facilitate moving the car, which is described as requiring TLC and “unknown mechanical work”. The Stromberg carbs seen here are one of the adaptations for the US market, and helped the car meet growing demands for lower exhaust emissions.
With excellent Series 1 cars reaching $100K and beyond, a car like this with many Series 1 characteristics but without the big price tag could make sense providing a buyer is willing to take on a car that has been sitting for 34 years. Whatever the mechanical outcome of the purchase, one thing is certain: the voluptuous shape of these E-Type fixed-head coupes is in a class by itself.
If Sir William Lyons had built fewer of these, and charged more for them, they’d be million dollar cars now.
I still remember the first time I saw one and the two times I drove one. The second time I almost bought it. That was in 1971, it was a red 68 roadster with chrome wires. Oh, well.
LOVE the look of the Jag E-Types!!
Sexy, Powerful, and Sophisticated!!
…
(I still remember helping a buddy of mine reinstall the engine in one of these.
“Tight” doesn’t begin to describe the fit, but the squashed fingers and a small amount of blood loss served to leave a vivid scar permanently engraved in my memory.)
They look best in a dark colour like this, or gunmetal. Gunmetal/Maroon would be awesome. Mine is yellow which isn’t so great (bought a long time ago when they were cheap), this example gives the inspiration to re-paint.
Absolutely beautiful. Only thing you could improve on the stock version ( to me ) is a full race version with a tad of flair fenders, a V-12 and a boat load of header exhaust pipes, ala Group 44…..awesome!
Intoxicating, class & elegant are words to descibe Jaguar. In my opinion no other manufacturer can use all three. A Bentley Continental GT comes close.
Even has a/c.. Way cool option on the coupe.