This 1969 Jaguar E-Type is a Series 2 example that is equipped with the preferred manual gearbox. It has some needs, as the bodywork is rough and the interior requires full restoration. The seller has listed it as a no reserve example, and notes he retrieved it from a private collection as part of an estate sale. Like so many other classic car discoveries, it appears it was in the queue for a restoration that never got off the ground. There are some details that point to it at least being highly original, even though it is a large project. Find it here on eBay where bidding is at $6,460 with no reserve and located in Florida.
As the top photo may indicate, the previous owner had big plans to restore this classic E-Type alongside his other projects. Photos of spare parts show the back glass will come with the Jag, which may indicate the prior owner was in the process of disassembly before health or age issues took over. The seller notes the driver’s window is missing, probably still hidden in the prior owner’s shop. Rust issues are not insignificant, with photos showing significant rust-through in the trunk floor and along the lower edges of almost all panels. The hood is noted as being loosely mounted and not attached.
The interior is well past its expiration date, with the seats and door panels needing the most help. The headliner looks OK as does the carpet, but who knows if it sat outside with that window missing? The dash looks decent, along with the original steering wheel, though an aftermarket head unit sits in the dash. The E-Type is one of those cars that almost anyone would have a hard time resisting the urge to buy if an opportunity presented itself, but it’s a costly proposition to restore a basketcase like this. While it’s not past the point of rescuing, the likelihood of it being done in a short timeframe and for reasonable money is nill.
Fortunately, it does appear to be a largely complete car. The drivetrain is accounted for, but not running. The interior, while a mess, is complete. And the bodywork, with all of its holes, hasn’t been hacked up (though it does look like a few coats of paint are on there.) The seller has a history of snagging project-grade examples of cars and motorcycles that almost every enthusiast can appreciate, and provides extensive photo documentation to point out the Jag’s flaws and many trouble spots of rust. With no reserve, is there enough temptation here to try and restore this very tired E-Type?
Ha! The photo at the top of Jeff’s post was deleted from the seller’s Ebay listing, probably because too many people had the same thought I did: “Hey, what about that red Impala?”
The photo is not deleted, its mixed in with all the 170 photos below the description.
Yeah the 58 was sweet!!!
One has to love a Jag to embark on the long and very expensive restoration. I think BMW reimagined this car when they designed the Z3 coupe or what enthusiasts call the “shoe”.
Man from that angle, the front of the Jag. looks immensely long. Big fan of 58’s like em better than a 57 any day.
I’m more interested in the red 1958 Impala sports coupe on the other side . How can you get some information on it? It’s just beautiful!
My family built the car from the ground up back in the early 1990’s, then restored it again in the early 2000’s. We did everything from the paint to the interior ourselves. It has a 396 in it with ice cold ac. We use to drive it from Florida to Ohio and everything in between, going to all the cars shows. It was pictured for the center fold of Street Rodder Magazine many years ago and unfortunately hasn’t moved since. Mainly because we started a Porsche 356 restoration and a couple of other cars and motorcycles. Its on the list to get it back out into the world but yes not for sell. I did sell another one I had a few weeks ago, it was pictured here on barnfinds.
Interestingly enough it appears that the 2+2 nomenclature is conspicuously absent from this ad. In the old days these coupes were categorized as either 2+2s or the much more valuable low coupes. The low coupe has only a cargo shelf with no rear kinderseats. 1971 was the last year of the aero low coupe.
In 1972 with the introduction on the V12 Series III cars gone was this rear 2 person coupes. The 2+2 cars had a longer wheelbase and were ass heavy
Ass heavy?!?! I like to think of mine as “well balanced”…
the jag? meh. but hold the phone, whats up with the ’58 imp?
Please change the title of this post: this is not a fixed head coupe (FHC). It is a 2+2!
Thanks!
A friend had one of these E-Types. I was fascinated with the rear disc brakes, which are mounted inboard on the rear axle instead of being on the hubs.
to change the pads is a 20 minute job. Pull the back seat cushion out, remove four bolts, pull the pins on the calipers, use a large pry bar to seat the pistons, pull the old pads out, install new pads, put the pins back in and close up. (this is the same procedure for any IRS Jag).
To replace the rotors or service the calipers, drop the rear end.
The first time I did it on my E Type 45 years ago I spent three days trying to figure a way around dropping it. Surrendering, I had it out in about 3 hours, serviced in 2 and back together in another 2 and drove it home that night.
Gee…the book was right…
SOLD for $8,465.