Not So Pretty Kitty: 1963 Jaguar E-Type Shelter Find

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I look at this car and wonder what possessed the owner to store it like this for what undoubtedly has been a very long time? If we believe the odometer, it’s been stored since 33,423 miles! Unfortunately, despite being a matching numbers and desirable early car, there’s a lot of iron oxide included in the deal. It’s been hiding out in Bayonne, New Jersey and is listed for sale here on eBay, where it has not yet met the reserve as I write. Thanks to Jim S. for this submission!

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It’s still a beautiful shape, isn’t it, although it genuinely pains me to see it like this. I love the covered headlights on the early E-Types. This isn’t one of the very first with the separately attached hood vents, but it’s still an early car with the lines unaltered by later safety regulations.

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It would have been really nice if a license plate had been left in place so that we could guess how long the car has been off the road.

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Here’s a surprise: the seller has put the car on a lift after towing it out of it’s resting place and has included those pictures as well. Up until this point of viewing the auction, I had dreams of surface rust. As you can see, I was very, very wrong. You aren’t supposed to be seeing the battery in the right picture!

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These should be the early, non-adjustable seats (I think they are) and that gear lever is attached to the early “Moss” gearbox. That box isn’t known for smooth shifting. You can find out more about the characteristics of the first generation E-Types here and general E-Type shopping tips here.

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If this is the original engine, it’s the 3.8 liter version of the famous XK inline 6, in this case with triple SU carburetors. No indication is given as to whether the engine is free or not, but I would assume a full rebuild in this case regardless. You’re going to have everything in the front out anyway to repair the body damage. Somehow, just getting this one back on the road without helping the cosmetics doesn’t appeal to me, although you would have a huge crowd around the car at the upcoming South Central British Car Gathering if you brought this project to the event! What do you think this original but poor condition project car is worth? I know you can purchase a later E-type in far better condition for similar funds–I think that’s the way I’d go–but how about you?

 

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. JW454

    40K and hasn’t met the reserve? These must go for some big money. It will cost 80K to restore. I hope it’s worth it to the buyer.

    Like 1
  2. Van

    You know John Lennon had it wrong.
    Happiness is a warm Jag.

    Like 0
  3. L.M.K.

    What a shame !

    Like 0
  4. hhaleblian

    It will go for big money. Though the Jag market has appreciated nicely I think they are poised to really take off.

    Like 0
  5. junkmanMember

    I would take for nothing, spend $70k to restore it, then sell it for a loss “pass”. It’s hard to believe that the British can live in a land where it rains 300 days a year and build cars that rust if you so much as spill a cup of tea on them. Amazing!

    Like 0
    • hhaleblian

      If the all in price to buy this is $70k and another $70k to make it purty there’s still money to be made. I’m telling ya early e’s are undervalued. Just look at Ferrari’s and Aston’s of the same vintage. I may be the village idiot, but maybe not. But hey I just bought a 67 2 door Toyota for $6 g’s. So I’m most likely the former.

      Like 0
      • Adam Wright

        You are the village idiot, I know you that well….

        Like 0
      • hhaleblian

        Adam, you’re wright again. But remember you only hurt the one’s you love!

        Like 0
  6. MikeG

    Pictures viewed to the tune of “Dueling Banjos”.

    Like 0
  7. derek

    I’m guessing $60-70k will win it. It’s a complete, honest barn find and worth almost as much as the one BHCC has for $89k (but would probably take $80k.)

    Like 0
  8. Bob_s

    Hi All,
    This may be a late 1962 E-type verses being a 63. The reason I say that is because the ashtray in 63 have little wing add to the top of the ashtray frame. That way they wouldn’t be put in upside down on the line. The barrel seats move for and aft but do not recline at all.

    Some claim that the 3.8L engine is a freer revving engine than the 4.2L that started with the 65 model.

    Like 0
  9. angliagt

    Sad to see these end up like this.Makes you wonder how it
    ended up like this.
    I just talked to a guy that I’ve known for years.He has a ’67 –
    light blue eType convertible that’s been sitting in his garage for YEARS.
    He won’t restore it,but won’t sell it either.

    Like 0
  10. hhaleblian

    If the original color is opalescent blue with a red interior, I’m in love and a gonner.

    Like 0
  11. Curtis

    You can’t begin to restore this one correctly for 70 or 80 thou even if you do most all the mechanical, organization, and assembly/dis-assembly yourself. These cars are way more complicated than you imagine. Even if you had good ones to start you could restore 5 MGAs in the time it takes to do one E-type. Additionally these have appreciated to the point now that they are expected to be at a pretty high standard. Much of what you see here can never really be right and will have to be replaced, not restored. I do so hope somebody does save her though as the old girl has endured more than enough neglect.

    Like 0
  12. Rob

    Yep, I agree with Bob_s, it’s a late ’62.. close in comparison to a ’61. Check out these examples in Hemmings, there’s a ’62 that needs restoration for $89.5K, and a ’61 that’s already a driver level car (not concourse) for $269.5K.. either one is still way too rich for my blood.. Oh and yeah, I bought a ’62 back in ’63 for less than $6K, and that 3.8 imao was far sweeter in performance than the 4.2 that later came out in ’65. Of course both of these Jags are for sale by Dealers, but you get the idea, none of those early E-Type’s (Coupe or Roadster) ain’t cheap anymore.. :(

    Here’s the ’62: http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/jaguar/xke/1819720.html

    And the ‘Driver level’ ’61: http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/jaguar/xke/1784215.html

    Like 0
  13. DolphinMember

    Agree with Curtis about the car’s needs. It will need a new tub and other metal to get it to the point of being solid and good looking enough to compete for good bids at a high end auction.

    And you will need to hope that the engine can be saved and isn’t terminally frozen and doesn’t need all new internals and doesn’t have a con rod through the block.

    Then everything else will need to be redone or replaced, then paint..…all by experts if it is to come out really well.

    The median auction sale prices actually paid for early E-Type (non-flat floor) convertibles in the current SCM Guide is $136K, with the high price paid being $253K. That has probably gone up since the numbers were compiled, but since they made almost 8000 early convertibles they aren’t nearly as scarce as same-era Aston DB4 DHCs (series 1-5, 70 cars) or Ferraris (250GT PF Series II Cabrios, 200 cars) or Maseratis (3500 GT Spiders, 227 cars). Scarcity/exclusivity has made those cars much harder to find than E-Type convertibles, which makes them far more valuable—and worth restoring well.

    Even if you restored this car properly it would always have stories, which will hold it back compared to excellent original cars with good documentation.

    Like 0
  14. jimbosidecar

    I’m surprised there isn;t even more rust-through considering how it was stored. I bought a basketcase ’67 in 1981, restored it and was lucky to get $30K for it in the mid 1990s. Yes, they are quite a job to restore one of these.

    Like 0
  15. Jim C

    Back in the 70’s a friend of mine who Buys& Sells cars, picked up a 64′ Jag XKE same as this one needing a clutch. To do a clutch on these you need to remove the front end & the engine & tranny, an expensive job even back then. Even with a bad clutch, while taking it for a ride around 2 am on the Southern State Pky. We were flying, that car hugged the road like a race car, I looked at the dash & saw we were doing 130 mph it felt like we were doing 65-75 mph, he couldn’t believe it either. I’ve been over 100 a couple of times but nothing like this.These cars are still going for $100,000.+

    Like 0
  16. Eric Dashman

    As the sad sack owner of a 1971 Series II E-type with 14K original miles, I can sort of understand why this car has sat for so long. Mine was wrecked in 1971 by the original owner (a lady) and I bought it from a cabinet maker in the early 80s for a song ($1,000). I had to replace the entire front birdcage (a good one came with the deal), the oil pan (also came with deal), timing chain cover, etc. It was pretty much rustfree at that point. The bonnet was not original and was actually an early series I cowl with a series II mouth riveted (yes, riveted) on and covered with about 20 pounds of bondo. I ran out of money, got married, moved house, kids….it sat and sat and is still sitting. The floors are rusted out now, the rockers bad…it’s a mess…and I’m truly ashamed of my feckless behavior with this classic. I still intend to restore it…and hence the purpose of my sad tale. There is a specialist in Maryland who will take your E-type tub (roadster or coupe) and completely restore the metal for around $20K. He’ll do the bonnet for another $5K. Remarkable! 2 year wait but his website is amazing. All E-types are hot (being on the Milestone Car Society’s 100 best list) and early S 1s are going in the $200K+ range if pristine. Given chrome, leather, engine, top, paint, etc, I’d guess $75K-$100K gets it done. I’d include a picture of my poor car, but I’m too ashamed :-)

    Like 0
  17. Joe Nose

    Amazing the hulk didn’t warp around the forklift as it was being lifted.

    Like 0
  18. monsieur le baton

    someone compared this to a BHCC car, and i think the ebay user selling this one is BHCC also – the name rings a bell, and they have listings in both NJ and CA.

    Like 0
  19. PRA4SNW

    It’s somehow hard to believe that these, 356’s, etc. were once just used cars and treated as such.

    Like 0
  20. keithmckz

    From what can be seen of the body in the photos, some extensive metal work will need to be done. I have looked at the web site for Monocoque Metalworks in Maryland.
    I have no connection but have marveled at the resurrections performed there. He seems to have or can make any sheet metal part needed for a E-Type. There is hope for this forlorn kitty. Just needs time and money.

    Like 0
  21. TopJimmy5150

    On that show, “Fast n’ Loud”, Richard Rawlings bought what I believe was an E-Type that was a complete rusted mess. They dropped it off the forklift and bent it all to hell and still sold it as-is and made a lot of money. Unbelievable.

    Like 0
  22. rich voss

    I’ve known several guys that had these. First, high school classmate whose Dad owned a car dealership and he drove a tan ’62 to classes every day (except Winter) in ’64 and ’65. Jealous. Second, Army buddy in Germany that had a BRG/tan ’64 in ’67-’69. Lastly, another former Army friend that bought his BRG/tan ’64 in ’70 after we were both civilians. Beastly to work on. Rear brakes ! Clutch ! Timing chain !
    Still possibly most beautiful car ever made. But honestly, I’d buy a repro if I could afford THAT and drive the heck out of it.
    Love the Peter Egan series where he restores the one he bought.
    That car being in Bayonne NJ would bother me. That’s where they shipped cars out to Europe and back from Europe during my day. Things were wrecked, damaged, or “went missing”, and you had to file tons of paperwork and wait years for claims settlement. Don’t ask. Surprised there’s that much left being stored outdoors in that lovely salt air.
    Last, not all were as fast as advertised. Regularly outran the BRG one on the Autobahn with my brand new Fairlane GTA. Young, single officers did have some fun back then. Otherwise, hard work at the border.

    Like 0

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