The Series 3 E-Type usually gets a bad reputation for its complex mechanical quirks, but this highly upgraded classic may yet change the narrative. The seller has addressed every reason people usually don’t buy these, saying the problematic Lucas electrics, and carburetors are gone. The cooling has been sorted, and the AC actually works. The result is a show-winning primrose-yellow over biscuit leather E- type with a rebuilt V-12 engine, fuel injection, modern wiring, and Pirelli rubber. All of this for $49,00 and you can find it here on Craigslist out of Jefferson, Georgia. Thanks go to Tony Primo for the tip.
This E-type’s V-12 has been fully rebuilt with only 687 miles on it. The carburetor-to-EFI conversion is also a key detail that separates this car from a stock Series 3. The seller sourced fuel injection from a 1986 XJS and sent the computer to AJ6 Engineering in England for reprogramming. This is definitely not random, given AJ6 actually published a guide for this swap, noting that performance, drivability, fuel efficiency, and emissions were significantly improved by replacing the four-carburetor system with an EFI from the mid-1980s XJS. Engine cooling is handled by an aluminum radiator, high-volume water pump, and dual electric fans. The seller says it holds 188 degrees and has never run hot.
The interior was also reworked with an XK120-style dash fitted with push-button start, toggle switches, and fog light switches. While the vintage-style dash controls look the part, the center console brings the car into the 21st century, with the Pioneer head unit featuring a slide-out screen, Apple CarPlay, and front and backup cameras. The biscuit leather seating also appears to be in excellent condition, accented nicely by a fresh headliner, new carpets and a custom leather tool roll.
On the outside, the Primrose yellow paint looks brilliant against the gleaming chrome wire wheels, which are wrapped in Pirelli rubber with under 700 miles of wear. The lengthened 2+2 body style also provides extra legroom and a taller windshield, making those long-distance trips far more comfortable than a tight two-seater roadster. The car also has a Jaguar Heritage Certificate to prove its origin story, but the recent first-place trophy at a local car show proves its premium. On the flip side, it’s always advisable to do your own due diligence, and a heavily modified E-Type invites a close inspection of how well the conversion was executed. The seller indicates his flip phone doesn’t text, so call if you’re interested. For just under $50k, would you happily take these reliable upgrades, or do you prefer your E-types with all their factory-correct Lucas flaws?
Sounds like seller has ironed out all the usual problem areas with these cars. GLWTS.
Lovely car, not a fan of the yellow or biscuit interior, would change to right hand drive, maroon paint work and a black interior. Powdercoat everything and underseal.
I have decent mechanical skills and I look at that engine compartment and say, ‘Yikes!’ ‘Sorted’ is the key word in the description. If it runs well the new buyer should be pleased. I have always liked the looks of the E type, but never had the desire to buy one, even when in the 70’s, you could get a decent project for $1500. These are’ love/hate’ cars over the years. While just about every British marque of the period was temperamental like MG, Rover, Lotus, Triumph and Austin, etc., Jaguar was the top! Beautiful and elegant, but beware in her day-to-day performance and attitude. There is no judgment here, just observation. Beautiful car to own, but I would not want to live with it (her) day to day. I think the E type is peaking in value (I may be wrong) just about like all other British classics. The market is dying off and young people today don’t want the third pedal or the rumble of the internal combustion motor! I’m waiting for the next EV conversion travesty which may be an E type…. I already read about the Corvette EV conversion and that was enough……Still, though, these Barn Finds are fun to read about and comment! It also keep my writing skills operating……..
There’s actually a company already doing E Type, EV conversions in Britain somewhere. Horrid thoughts
I tell this story all the time, but when I was a kid, the idea of an “E-type V-12” was so exotic to me, that I obsessed over the car. I also played the violin, so I made a bet with my dad – if I could play a piece called “The Ronde de Lutins,” he’d buy me an “E-type V-12”. He even got me the sheet music.
Hand to God, I couldn’t play the first note, it was like an inch off the staff…
Years later, I asked my dad “If I could have played it, would you have gotten me the car?”
He said “Well, I figured it was a safe bet. And if you could actually play it at 10 years old, you could probably make enough money to buy it yourself…”
I will agree that the seller thinks he has sorted the car, but the facts remain that the only v12 Jags that are somewhat reliable are the Weber cleaned /changed versions( removing all of the vacuum lines, etc. that are entirely too complex- see engine picture) with electronic ignition set up. The engine is an highly rated V12 but all of its complexities as described are a nightmare and money pit. Stick with the proven in- line 6 cylinder ….these v12s could be bought for a song years ago.
George I disagree. I have owned several V12 Jags, carbs and fuel injected, and still today own a Bosch D-Jetronic V12 and even though the car hasn’t been started in a few weeks, walk out there fire it up and drive any where. Extremely reliable. Regarding the Weber carbs, they can be a scary fire pit. Sure you could gain some performance with the accelerator pumps, but many V12s have burned up because of stuck floats or back firing through them.
The stromberg carbs, although rather choking the intake, are super easy to maintain.
In our shop, we always joked that you needed to have two British cars, since one was always in the shop. The electrical system are powered by “Lucas, the prince of darkness.”
It is, though, a beautiful looking car. As a kid I was enamored with them, too.
The 2+2 version always looks humpbacked, and that tacky flat plate holding the taillights looks awful. The pre-1968 cars, with covered headlights, are the ones to have. No doubt this owner is completely underwater on the car.
This is Gene from Jag Connection out of MN. I’ve sold approx. 250 E-types over the past 50 years and I can tell you the V12’s are no more trouble to maintain and keep running than the 6 cylinders. Both engines are extremely robust so the components that would typically fail both cars have, and have the same quantity – electrical, Mechanical, cooling, etc.
However now there’s about 1/2 dozen INEXPENSIVE upgrades we do to the E-types to make them more reliable, easier to maintain, and improve performance — oil filter adapter kit to enable you to use normal filters and eliminate oil leaks, an aluminum radiator and a KoolKat fan which now keeps the car running cool, move the ignition amplifier to the front of the engine bay to keep it cool and prevent it from overheating, GAZ shock absorbers to enable you to adjust the ride, Vredestine tires for improved performance, LED lights inside and outside, etc. etc. None of these upgrades are extremely expensive and drastically improve the E-types.
Wow, what a peach ! The color combination may not be for everyone, but I find it quite attractive.
Four speed manual with air con, equipped with wires, and a newly rebuilt engine…… who could fault any of this?
I personally owned a Sable with black leather, manual and wires in a 71 model year car. The only issues I ever experienced with it was an overheated electrical module, a cracked distributor cap, and a rotor inside which deformed and threatened to fire two spark plugs together in one shot. Those parts were available at the time in the mid 80s for under 200 bucks.
I really should have kept that 29,000 mile beauty but sold it to buy land and sacrificed a BMW ’02 in Malaga, a ’58 Impala with 348 in Tropical Turquoise, a ’76 Nova Super Sport in orange with black accents, and a Buick Wildcat of 69 vintage to complete the deal.
Yes, some serious regrets today …….
looks very nice although I would replace the pioneer stereo by a vintage system. When the engine was sourced from a 1986 XJS it sure is an HE V12. I wonder if the used the 2.88 rear axle gear ratio they used with the HE.