Usually, when a project grade Jaguar E-Type comes up for sale, there’s a significant amount of rust repair that needs to be completed. This is typically in addition to the laundry list of other mechanical and cosmetic needs that always need sorting. Fortunately, in the case of this cosmetically-challenged 1968 Jaguar E-Type convertible, some of the more time-consuming rust repairs have already been completed, and while a repaint is needed, it’s a far less daunting project with the floors already repaired. The original color scheme of primrose over black needs to return, but first, it will need to find a new owner via the listing here on eBay with a $39,500 Buy-It-Now.
There is an option to submit a best offer, and the Jaguar is located in Hanover, Massachusetts. That original color scheme, to my mind, is one of the best combos to find an E-Type in. Primrose over black always looks good, and it will be a treat to see this example brought back to those original colors. The body, while not pretty, looks reasonably straight, and the E-Type retains its pretty chrome bumpers and wire wheels. No history is mentioned in the listing, other than noting that it’s been off the road since 1977 – right about the time this E-Type seemed like a cheap used car rather than a future collectible, if I had to guess.
It begs the question as to what prompted some of the harder work to have been done, and then for the car to sit. Usually, it’s the other way around: someone does the easy stuff first, and then leaves the difficult projects for the next owner. The floors look pretty solid to me, and I’d much rather deal with finding replacement seats than metalwork. The interior is pretty well baked, which is unusual for a New England car, so perhaps this one spent some time in the southwest before coming north. The seller does have the original Jaguar heritage certificate for the E-Type, which may help fill in some of the blanks regarding its history.
The 4.2L engine appears complete, but no word on whether it’s original to the car. This E-Type obviously doesn’t run, so the exact level of reconditioning needed is unknown, but the seller notes only the air cleaner is missing from under the hood. While the Series 2 cars like this one aren’t nearly as desirable as the special Series 1, they’re also considerably more affordable. I’m firmly stuck in the Series 1 camp, but given driving an E-Type is a memorable experience regardless of whether the headlights have plastic covers on them, a Series 2 like this could represent a significant-savings over an earlier example in similar condition.
$40K is outrageous for a series 2 in this condition. Absolutely pristine series 2’s can be purchased for $80-$100K. No way to get there on this one. $20K might be tops and that’s if the monocoque is solid.
I’m with you. This is a Series 1.5, I believe. The taillights are above the bumper and I think you’ll find that the headlight bezels are slightly smaller than on a Series 2. The engine finned valve covers were on the later ones as well. That said, I agree that this is a $20K car at best, although parting it out would yield a much higher number. The engine and tranny could bring as much as $15K alone. The bonnet with trim is $5K. Then there’s the rest of it. If the monocoque is in good shape (a serious question in MA given the rest of what we can see), it’s worth up to $20K.
PLEASE forward me ANY XKE Roadster and especially a Series 1 or 1 1/2 for $20,000!!!!!!!
Because these cars are monocoque constructed car these cars can be a major reconstruction. And I mean major reconstruction. A friend got one of these from the east coast. It had been garaged and looked like an extremely nice example, well documented, long ownership car. He had it inspected, He went back there himself and looked and drove the car first hand. it was immaculately maintained. He shipped it out here to San Francisco. after a few months of hard road trips (to Los Angeles, then to Vegas,The Grand Canyon and a big loop back home) the drivers door scrapped as it closed and the gap at the top of the door was slightly less than the gap at the bottom of the door. I could go into greater detail, but the bottom line is the body shop drilled a little hole for a plumber’s inspection camera. It was completely rotten. the mechanic told him not to drive it any longer and it he had it sent to a restoration shop. The guy took a ball peen hammer and struck the rocker panel and it crumbled. Long story, short, the entire floor pan and both rockers had to be replaced along with bottom pieces of the door jambs.$35,000 later the car was finished. If the owner will let you drill a small hole and stick an inspection camera in there, do it That door jamb is wide and it is upholstered . The hole will be plugged and not seen. According to someone in the local jaguar club this is common. Jaguar never rust proofed these cars. According to the Jaguar club,They just didn’t have the interest or vision and never expected these cars to live 54 years. I guess we all should do this on a monocoque bodied car before buying it.
Greetings All,
The headlight are covered in glass, not plastic.
The headlights look great, but the diffusion and distortion of the sealed beam units through that glass, make nightime driving suck.
2 months ago I would have said 20k all day long. Values were already slipping but there were enough people out there with dreams and 20k even then 40k was a pipe dream for this.
Unfortunately I think the collector car market is going to take a hit and the number of people who could restore this has dropped substantially.
I’m not interested in taking on this one but I am sitting on the sidelines looking for a little nicer one.
I owned a series I 3.8 liter E Type. Worst most awful car I’ve ever owned. But also the most beautiful when it wasn’t losing parts, overheating, refusing to start, failing to stop , leaking everything . . . And it was very hard to work on and even difficult to get in and out of,
Lose the motor and put and LS1 or similar in it.
Junk then, junk now. My Dad had a XK120 SE when I was in high school, never saw an XKE roadster ever that didn’t have loads of rust. I don’t know if the used inferior steel, or they just got damp inside the rockers and inner panels, terrible cars. Sorry, just my opinion.