Bidding has already crested $65,000 for this supposedly unrestored 1966 Jaguar E-Type in Florida. Said to be a two-owner car since new and largely undisturbed, the car wears one of the best colors and features desirable early model features like the enclosed headlights seen here. The seller is correct that when playing at this price point, the line between buying restored or buying a preserved example begins to blur, but we’ll take a survivor every time. Find the Jaguar here on eBay with six days left in the auction.
This is the right kind of tired: perhaps the paint is flaking in places, maybe some weather stripping has failed letting the back window get foggy in the Florida heat, but those are minor quibbles when presented with original paint, a (presumably) matching numbers motor and untouched interior. The E-Type comes with a variety of original paperwork and records, which the seller says goes back to the purchase of the car, originally sold new in Iowa. Prices for survivor E-Types like this have been climbing strongly over the past few years, so the current bid price is no surprise.
Though someone added a modern head unit in the last 20 years, the original will come with the car. The second owner purchased it in 1967, then kept it parked for years following carburetor issues. The car was then exhumed in the 90s with a significant amount of mechanical restoration work taking place, and we’re guessing this is when it relocated to Florida and possibly sat again, as the seller doesn’t reveal if it’s been running and driving anytime recently. The dash pad will need replacing and the console is tired, but these are minor concerns and issues we’d live with for the time being.
Original warranty paperwork, manuals and the factory tool kit are all still with the car. This really is in the sweet spot of ideal E-Types, as it’s still a desirable Series 1 car but also features the bigger 4.2L inline-six that came midway through production. More torque with the same graceful design is the perfect combination, especially when paired with a manual transmission like this Primrose Yellow example. Hopefully, its next owner has no plans for restoration and will bask in the E-Type’s high level of preservation.
Deja Vu? If that car was sold in Cedar Rapids, Iowa then I know it. In fact I lusted after that one for several years till I went into the Service. Loved the lines on it and the exhaust sound on it (so exotic) when I saw it on the street. I saw that one in for service a couple of times and it was like lusting after a beautiful woman – you know you’ll never have her so you just keep on dreaming. That’s maybe why I have such a love of the styling of the E-type Jags. Back then I didn’t know about all the electrical issues that could come with them.
thats a buty I have never seen a buty like that car it took my breath away…
Always the dilemma:
The good news: it’s original.
The bad news: it’s original.
don’t understand the bad news at all
It is all bad news but nothing in it ( :
Good thing it came with a tool kit, you will definitely need it.
Lucas Electrical system- Prince of Darkness.
2 “registered” owners seems more likely & it seems a little past “preserved” status. The flipper is in the sweet spot for economic returns here, but someone w/ the right resources (economic &/or skills) has a nice starting point for a restoration.
These things aren’t Duesenbergs, but they’re always restored into jeweled trinkets, far more perfect than the (beautiful) rattletraps that left Browns Lane as new cars. Why not just get it running and driving to a safe and reliable degree and enjoy it?
I believe the 3.8 litre six, flat floor, is even more desirable.
why? – the 66, 67 cars are undoubtedly the best of the litter
Hi Ken,
You are are correct the ranking goes like this
OTS (open two seater)
1) Outside Bonnet Lock (OBL) cars which also had 3.8 L, flat floors, welded bonnet louvers and covered headlights.
2) Inside bonnet lock cars which also had 3.8 L, flat floors, welded bonnet louvers and covered headlights.
3) Then it is a toss-up between the rest of the 3.8 L and the 4.2 L covered headlight cars. (The 4.2 L have the lead in the USA, 3.8 L appear to have the lead in the UK.) But most people (USA) think the 1967 4.2 L cars are the best, But most of the true 1967 car were actually built without covered headlights which happened at either car #1E 14532 or #1E 14535 (LHD OTS). There is a discrepancy between Jaguar’s build records and Service Bulletins.
Oh behave this ones Austin Powers mums jag 😍
Seriously I always liked this model and the big bonnet front end etc. that tilted forward 👍👀
I’m sure that the price will climb closer to 100k by the time the auction has ended. This is exactly the kind of car that should be maintained but not restored. Would I buy it? I would if my income was four or five times higher than it is. Then a 100k car would be more like a 25k car purchase. Oh well,at least I’ve got a nice XJS.
Unbelievably, back in 1976 a guy in Seattle wanted to trade me straight up with his jag E-type for my pristine ’71 Fiat 124 spider that I had upgraded to european spec with a complete suspension update, wide cromodora magnesium wheels, dual webbers, 11.5 to 1 compression pistons, abarth cams etc.
the jag was in nice shape. I turned him down
@arizman2
DUH? If we knew then, what we know now, then things would be a lot different I guess. You win some, you lose some.
That radio REALLY looks original.
@ThomasDolby.
Yep, it is most likely a Smiths Radiomobile.
they do specify that the head unit has been replaced, but that the original will come with the car.
The head unit is Alpine 7256. I have one just like it on a shelf behind me.
It’s an E-type.
(mike drop…)
Auctioned ended because the item is no longer available.
That happens a lot, but it shows no bids at all, just the original starting price.