We’ve certainly seen plenty of recreations in the sports car world, and Jaguars are among the most frequently copied. But this 1962 E-Type appears to be a thoughtful concoction to pay homage to the iconic lightweight racecar, the E2A. It presents a strong conundrum for the next owner who would have to weigh continuing the unfinished conversion against returning it to stock form, now that prices for early E-Types have rise dramatically. Find it here on craigslist with a $105,000 ask.
While I do not claim to be a bodywork expert, what we can see in the photos seems to show a fairly clean execution. Now, that’s looking big picture, at the nicely integrated taillights and the details with how the trunk lid rises to match the driver’s roll bar. This could be my eyes playing tricks, but I feel as if there’s an uneven line or two around where the trunk lid intersects with the body and the same for the door fit along the bottom, but it’s impossible to accurately judge the quality of the work from here.
The Jaguar wears a very cool set of centennial license plates from the state of Missouri, but now resides in San Diego. Although I can’t quite put my finger on how, the center console has been modified from stock. The factory seats also appear to have been swapped out for a set of tighter-fitting racing buckets. The seller mentions that this may be an ideal candidate for vintage racing, and an argument for completing the lightweight-look conversion. Doesn’t the world already have too many restored E-Types?
While the seller says the Jaguar has been “woken up” and is in running condition, it will still need further servicing (no details offered) and a set of tires before it can do either road or track. The motor appears to have sidedrafts, and I’ll bet it makes a wicked noise when fired up. Personally, I would continue with the race car tribute, and look to enter the Jagaur into any SVRA event I could find! How would you go about completing this E2A replica? Thanks to Barn Finds reader Michael for the find.
Nice find. The console has been widened, lengthened and covered with what I’d guess to be vinyl woodgrain. The original cover should be a small diamond pattern aluminum on the console and the dashboard. The seats are correct for a ’62 roadster.
If some one buys this car and wants to switch back the console, I’ve got a spare aluminum console for sale! Let me know if you’re interested.
It would be very costly and time consuming to restore. I like it the way it is…indeed there are enough restored E types.
Silly looking thing. Go back to original.
I think the windshield needs to go for a c-type look
It’s cool and all but am I the only one slack-jawed at the asking price? 100K for this?
Greetings All,
E2A had a different look, technically more of a DType that evolved into an E.
Definitely a different grill opening, no wheel arch lips that I remember in the Cunningham livery?
The owner must have started to do a boy racer and then decided to use E2A as the reason for this.
Far too much money.
Greetings All,
The quality of the work can be judged…..
Explain the dash and console along with the accuracy of the body mods.
The answer is there and it’s not good.
This might be a tribute car, but as Ross said there are many differences between it and the real E2A….no external bonnet latches, LHD instead of RHD, no fin on the headrest, different wheels, etc, etc…and that’s just what you can see from 10 ft away.
The buyer would need to be OK with all those differences and the possibility that the next buyer might not value the car at the $105K ask price, so there’s risk…
OTOH, recent auctions have seen intact ‘62 E Type convertibles sell for a median price of about $160K, so if this one is in decent condition it might be worth having as a toy for now…and you could always restore it back to stock since there’s some financial room to do that, based on the current market value of a good ‘62 convertible.
And the $105K is asking, so you might get it for less. But you would need to confirm the condition, especially since there’s no underside shots.
Decisions….decisions….
People do some very peculiar and foolish things. What in the world was someone thinking when they set out to build a “replica” of a “lightweight” by adding weight to a stock car and ending up with a car obviously heavier even than the stock original car that they started with? Not only has someone all but destroyed an original early E-Type but they have ended up with a clown car, an embarrassment to themselves, and an insult to Jaguar. I could go on to list all the ways in which this joke of a car falls short of its intended goal but I’ve made my point so I’ll let it go.
O Live and let Live, Get over it.
I am “over it” Joe. and obviously so was the builder of the car represented here because he (wisely) quit and walked away from it. Lots of luck with the price.
Gotta agree on many points. I am currently building my own E2A tribute car out of my burned 69 2+2. First turning it into a OTS then the finishing touches of the headrest and windscreen. Yeah I know its not accurate or right, but what do you do with a burned out 2+2? Kudos to the builder and from the looks of it, was headed in the right direction.
“………………. but what do you do with a burned out 2+2?”
Sell off all salvageable parts to people who can put them to good use, then scrap the rest – or sell the whole thing as a parts car or rebuilder. That’s what I’d do and then I’d go out and buy myself a decent car and try not to set it on fire.
Sounds like you are a “would do” kind of guy and Bill is a “does do” kind of guy. I have rebuilt, built and modified enough cars to know how much work and dedication is required and I have a healthy respect for anyone who pursues a vision.
Good for you. Then I’m sure you know how important it is to pick your “visions” with care.
Dirk – house fire took care of the last part.
Cooked the E, burned up a 57 3.4 Mk1 Jag, 62 Austin Princess 3 liter Mk 2, 76 Zink Z-12 FV and a 65 Zink Z-4 Sports racer. Did lots of body/fiberglass damage to the 68 Zink Z-8 VSR, 74 Zink Z-12, 74 Porsche 914LM and Son-in-Laws Eclipse that were in a nearby building that they at least got the fire out 1/2 way through it (when they found out there were magnesium parts in the building they turned off the water).
I bought the E July 21, 1975. I am not going to give up on it that easy…
It seems as if it’s already worth quite a bit of money! Leave it as is surely you won’t lose any?
Go Speed Racer, go Speed Racer, go Speed Racer, go!