Every car has its fans, even the Jaguar XKE 2+2. We can moan about the roof line, the extra weight, the lack of sporting feel – but these cars sold well when launched by the factory in 1966. By the time the Series 2 rolled around, the 2+2 was outselling the coupe, and when Jaguar launched the Series 3, the coupe was only a memory, axed in favor of four seats. Here on facebook Marketplace is a 1970 XKE 2+2 project car, with an asking price of $8500. The car is located in Milford, Ohio, and we owe Ted thanks for the tip!
The powerplant is an unidentified Ford straight six, and the transmission is an automatic. We’re not told one way or another, but I bet this car is not in running condition. Originally, the Series 2 would have had a 4.2 liter six-cylinder engine with two Stromberg carburetors, good for about 245 hp. An automatic gearbox became optional when the 2+2 was introduced but the manual was also available; a heritage certificate might reveal this car’s factory configuration. Notably, the 2+2’s body is 9″ longer than either the roadster or the coupe, imposing a weight penalty upon performance.
The interior is a work in progress – with a question mark hovering over the “progress” part. We aren’t told what comes with the car, but the seller laughably notes that the buyer “can source pretty much anything you need for the car” – he forgot to mention: at a price! I don’t even want to think what a 4.2 liter engine costs, let alone the glass, the seats, and the rest of the doo-dads required to put this Jag back to rights. But maybe that isn’t its highest and best use …. perhaps this car needs to be restored with a simple American drivetrain, or parted out?
The body needs its floors repaired, and the seller mentions “some other body work” might be required. The seller notes that he’s offloading this and “others” because he has identified a car he’d prefer to own, but I suspect reality has dawned around the significant cost of Jaguar restoration. This XKE needs a dedicated enthusiast to bring it back from the brink. All that said, the prices of 2+2s have been rising lately; a few years ago, these cars would go begging but today a reasonably solid example will sell for $30k. Is this a car that you would tackle? What’s your vision for a project XKE powered by Ford?
Someone should be banned from using tools.
Whats wrong with these people?????
There are a lot of valuable pieces when all put together in a single package add up to nothing. Far too expensive to return to original, so the only option is to part it out if you have a free space for the storage and the time to wait for buyers.
$5K would be more reasonable. The Ford 6 is a throwaway. The front subframe is silver, so while it’s probably a color change the car could have had an excursion of some sort. Get a second parts car with a buildable original drivetrain, and it could be a reasonable project. Unfortunately the Series 2 2+2 is the least desirable E Type, so either build it as a all Jag super performer or turn it into a convertible.
“It’s only original once”, and this one isn’t anymore, so without the original engine I don’t see that a donor XK6 engine would be particularly preferable to, say, putting a modern Jaguar AJ6 or AJ16 engine in this as the basis of a restomod that keeps things in the family.
Turn it into a convertible, hmmmmm, a 2+2 is 9″ longer than a convertible so not that easy to do!
Having participated in a full ground up restoration of a coupe I can tell you it’s one of the most complicated cars I’ve ever worked on. That said, resurrecting this pile of mismatched parts would require lots of money, lots of time, and a through knowledge of the XKE.
They would make more money filming the jacked T/A next to it driving over it and posting it to YouTube.
An E-type for a lot of money, needing lots, and with a Ford engine putting out half the power of the original Jag engine. What’s not to like?
What a humiliation! A Ford straight six in a Jaguar???????????
Much as I hate the genera, why does the word “rat rod” come to mind? And why am I thinking that might be the best outcome for this thing?
At least with the Ford 6? You could make it home.
Restoration of this 70 2+2 is not feasible financially. The asking price makes even parting it out a problem. The bonnet assembly alone is probably worth $5K. The front birdcage another $2500. Wire wheels $2000. If the IRS remains, it could be another $1500. The light fixtures probably $500. Gutted interior has nothing, but the dash and instruments might have value. Calipers, rotors, etc. might have value if rebuilt. If it was in my neighborhood, I’d offer $2500. You’ll wait to get your money back out of it.
BobHess is right. The unibody tub is incredibly complex. Monocoque Metalworks in Maryland might take it for a decent price. He’s a master with E-types.
It’s a shame, because the body looks solid, except for the aforementioned floor pan. Missing glass and too many pieces/parts, so restoration is out of the question. When I heard in line six though, I thought of Hurricrate engine, the twin turbo in line six new for Dodge trucks. Yeah the motor costs twice what the ask for this car is but I can dream. If you’re going to go restomod go big.
Years ago a neighbor had an old ford pickup that some local talent had installed a jaguar 6 into. I don’t believe it ever ran. Wonder if they were related?