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One Rough Cat: 1963 Jaguar E-Type

1963 Jaguar E-Type

From this angle, this Jaguar really doesn’t look too bad. Sure, you can see a few rust spots and some dings, but nothing alarming. Now before you scroll down the page and see the rest of it, remember these cars can be worth serious money when in good shape. If you aren’t too concerned with condition and just have to have an early E-Type Roadster, you can find this one here on eBay in Syracuse, New York with bidding already over $30k. You’ve been warned, what you’re about to see isn’t going to be pretty!

1963 Jaguar E-Type Nose

It looks like this Jag was in a head on collision. Either that or someone decided this cat needed to keep its mouth shut! There’s also ample amounts of rust that will need to be dealt with, but given the amount of damage here you might be better off finding a new front end.

1963 Jaguar E-Type Roadster

Let’s move to the other side of the car. And what do we have here? More rust? The tin worm really worked the passenger’s door over. And it looks like it made it’s way into the rear fender as well. All of these pieces can be fixed or replaced fairly easily. The floor pans on the other hand might be a bigger issue to address.

1963 Jaguar E-Type Floors

For some reason the floors look a lot like the pavement. Oh wait, that’s because the floors are nearly gone and what we see now is the road!

1963 Jaguar E-Type Engine

Alright, let’s face it, this E-Type is pretty rough. It has lots of rust, the floors are about gone, the interior is in terrible shape and much of the engine is missing, but nice examples can fetch well over $200k! So the question then becomes, can this one be purchased and rebuilt for far less than that?

Comments

  1. Avatar M.E

    ” […] nice examples can fetch well over $200k!”

    Those would be the ones with provenance and what the British call “History”. Good luck getting that for this one, even when restored to immaculate condition. And also good luck not spending $200k getting to that point.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Joe

    Re: your question, Josh—No. Metal fabrication, welding, quality body and paint work, interior work is very expensive. A slow, painful process which seldom meets expectations. Usually more practical and economical to ship cars like this to Eastern Europe for restoration. Hungary etc. has some quality shops at bargain prices. Of course, you will then lose all control of your project (and maybe your mind) as your bank account runs like the River Rouge and your XKE begins to faintly resemble a Lada SE at twilight.

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  3. Avatar Rick

    What does 43676 Miles (TMU) mean?

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    • Avatar Dave

      True mileage unknown

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Pope Paul II

    Restoration instructions: 1) Find nearest dumpster. 2) Place entire “car” in dumpster. 3) Drive to local Jaguar dealer. 4) Purchase new Jaguar. 5) Spend the remainder of what you saved on something nice for your wife, girlfriend, or both of them.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Stewart

    Or buy a new shell and bonnet (Martin Robey makes them) the rest is easy

    Like 0
  6. HoA Howard A Member

    I agree with Zaphod, this just shows how out of whack the hobby has become. E-Types are not that rare, and seem to be going through the same market frenzy as Hemi Cuda’s and Toyota Landcruiser’s a few years ago. ( which by watching the latest auctions, seems to have cooled a bit) I guess it’s what the market will bear, and can anyone here, in the same situation, say they wouldn’t do the same thing? I can pretty much hit the “delete” button on ever owning an E-Type. I’m sure I’m not alone, and that’s a shame.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar pfk1106

    Of course, you could put all your money, energy, etc into restoring it and then move on to the next project and this happens.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHBfaNdP4Pk

    Like 0
    • Avatar Alan (Michigan)

      OUCH!
      Some observations, maybe accurate, maybe not:
      1. The owner of that car, or perhaps someone on the receiving end of the transport, had made a MAJOR error in contracting.
      2. Shipping anything of such high value via the lowest bidder is a recipe for disappointment, through physical and/or fiscal loss.
      3. I personally would have sent the transport driver packing, before ever letting him put his ass in the seat, much less his boots on the pedals. One look at the tow and trailer rig would have been all it took. Pristine car, loaded onto a filthy, rusty, open trailer, with missing/broken lights,sporting mismatched tires.
      4. NO quality transporter (and anyone at all who has a clue, actually) would ever secure any car nicer than a junkyard-bound one with chains wrapped around suspension members.
      Nope, the keys to the Jag would have never left my hands.

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Jamie Staff

    Run. Far. Away. Quickly. Unless you like large, rusty sculptures for your yard.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Van

    $35,200 reserve not met.
    Surely I can find some kind of a rusty hulk worth money.
    If the car was from Detroit the add would say Rat rod.
    This is in the Gray Poupon class.
    “Gray Poupon Class”

    Like 0
    • Avatar Paul Ipolito

      Insane reserve from someone who probably had that rats-nest given to him.

      Like 0
  10. Avatar Healeydays

    If rusty 356s can make insane money, an early XKE should get some notice. If it hasn’t met it’s reserve at $37,600 the owner might not be too realistic…

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Derek white

    It’s not an early flat floor so not worth as much restored. I’ve seen good S1 OTS drivers sell recently for $80-100k so even $30k for this one is too much unless you can do all the metal work yourself. A new shell and bonnet from Poland or Czech Rep would be about 30-40k but it is still a lot of work and hundreds of small things…

    Like 0
  12. Avatar DENIS

    run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Van

    Can you imagine having this thing dipped.
    “Hay dude where’s my car”

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Chuck F
    • Avatar John H

      Chuck, that’s a Series II you found on Craigslist, and doesn’t fetch nearly the $$ as Series I’s.

      Regardless, I grimace at the engine compartment on this one, body skin and undercarriage notwithstanding. Hard to see a case when done where you are not on the sea bottom.

      As they say, “best appreciated for the patina!”

      Like 0
    • Avatar Alan (Michigan)

      Puh-leez!
      That listing smells to high heaven as a scam!
      Some Nigerian prince is going to forward $$$Millions into my account, so I can buy the car with my new-found wealth!

      Like 0
  15. Avatar Eric Dashman

    People are correct that the reserve for this car is absurd. However,
    http://www.monocoque-metalworks.com/main/ in Maryland can do the entire tub and bonnet as if new. I spoke to him a couple of years ago (literally 2) and he would either rebuild the tub or swap it with one of his for $18K and the bonnet for another $5K. I don’t doubt that his prices have gone up since, but even so, a fully restored series 1 can bring $100K or more. I would still consider looking for another starting point in better condition.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Alan (Michigan)

      Looks like a properly run business, providing a great service in a hot market!

      Like 0
  16. Avatar robert Pearcey

    I bought a 1963 in 1972 for 80 GBP and you could drive it !
    This is one a rust bucket. Look for a better car .

    Like 0
  17. Avatar Prowler

    That is one rotten kitty
    One word comes to mind. Parts

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Pete

    With new Martin Robey complete bodies at approx 50k the complete project will set you back ca 120k if everything is farmed out. Plus the purchase of the project. Not my cup of tea.

    Like 0
  19. Avatar J.P.

    The first series xke is one of most beautiful and desirable cars ever…..l wouldn’t touch this car with any length pole.

    Like 0
  20. Avatar PRA4SNW

    Sold for $50,100, yikes!

    Like 0

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