If this 1963 Jaguar E-Type Roadster proves nothing else, it demonstrates that rummaging around in sheds and barns can unearth automotive gold. A previous owner placed it into storage in 1977, and it has just emerged into the light of day. It requires restoration, but as a desirable Series I example featuring the 3.8-liter motor, it should be worth the cost and effort. The seller has listed the E-Type here on eBay in Astoria, New York. They set their BIN at $49,500 with the option to make an offer.
The E-Type caused a sensation when Jaguar unveiled it in March 1961. Its styling, particularly in Roadster form, garnered almost universal praise from motoring journalists at the time. The curvaceous body and long hood ensured it was no shrinking violet, and, partly because of its affordability compared to its European competition, the E-Type sold in respectable numbers. This Roadster left the Coventry factory in 1963, ordered by its first owner in Maroon. Unsurprisingly, given its recent history, the vehicle is begging for a total restoration. The buyer would need to flush away the heavy dust layer to expose what hides beneath, but I suspect they may follow a nut-and-bolt approach to achieve a high-end result. What strikes me is the lack of apparent rust. The seller supplies no underside shots, but prone areas like the rear valance and rockers look promising. If that theme carries through to the floors, this Roadster could be a winner. It retains its correct exterior trim and headlight covers, and the factory hardtop shouldn’t be underestimated. I found a recent successful sale for one of these items, with the seller walking away with $20,000.
Jaguar adopted a “smoke-and-mirrors” approach with the E-Type, proudly proclaiming that its new sports car would hit 150mph. That was considered the Holy Grail for European exotics, but private testing revealed that it fell short of the mark. However, by incorporating mechanical upgrades from the racing D-Type, the press release vehicles fulfilled the company’s aim. This Roadster retains its numbers-matching 3.8-liter DOHC straight-six engine and four-speed manual transmission, although it hasn’t run for decades. It is missing some ancillary components, and budgeting for a rebuild as part of the restoration would be wise. That would allow this motor to produce its distinctive snarl, which was a characteristic of the big cat after which the marque is named.
What impresses me most about this E-Type is how few parts it is missing. The interior is complete, although a retrim will almost certainly be on the buyer’s agenda. This isn’t a difficult process, because complete kits in the correct colors and materials are readily available. However, with prices starting at around $5,000, it isn’t a cheap undertaking. The dash is in surprisingly good condition, with the iconic toggle switches and a factory radio. The gauges feature clear lenses and crisp markings, and the wheel may be okay beneath the protective wrap.
Often considered the most beautiful production car ever built, the Jaguar E-Type enjoys a strong following in the classic world. This 1963 Series I Roadster is almost as good as it gets, although an early “flat floor” example will trump it. The seller’s price isn’t chicken feed, and returning this barn find to its former glory won’t be cheap. However, if it isn’t riddled with rust, the fact that the Roadster version consistently sells for figures well beyond $100,000 could make it worthwhile. This E-Type richly deserves a second chance, but are you willing to provide it?
Astoria NY ?
Gullwing
You got it. Peter Kumar does it again. A $50K price (plus tax and fees like shipping), $150K to restore at a minimum, for something selling in the low $100Ks? That’s my kind of investment deal!!! Sign me up. Or maybe I should just burn dollar bills until smoke inhalation knocks me out. It would be a better deal.
I’ve loved the XKE since I was a kid in the 1960s. Having one would be great, and when I find that box of money, I will buy one.
Meanwhile, I’ll putz around with my sub-10K gems and be happy with that!
Same here. My love affair began with a red drop top E Type hand me down pedal car that belonged to my older brother. And it hasn’t stopped since. But right now, or probably ever, one of these is just not in the budget.
It looks to be a viable project. At $50K as a starting point, they could at least have washed it and cleaned it up a bit. It’s a full restoration. I agree with Rex. I will continue on my sub 10K driver projects. Even doing this yourself is a big one and you can’t cut corners on an E project as the buying interests usually have quite a bit of cash and they demand perfection.
$50k for this piece of junk? Fer git it!!
The entire carb, intake manifold and air cleaner assemblies are missing. Not cheap. Wonder what else is missing.
10.000 to replace that,unless you go for a twin carb off a xj
Triple carbs with manual choke for the E type, very similar to a Mk10 but they have electric choke units.
If you take the collector/ investment aspect out of this the car it looks like it could simply be cleaned up , the interior as well .
Change the fluids clean up the fuel system etc.and you’ve got yourself a truly original e type.
A “survivor” not a “ restoration “.
It’s a great car , drive it.
If you want a drivable, road worthy car, after a cursory look via Google you could replace all those parts for under $2000.
There are plenty of people out there to help you part with your money.
Just don’t go the purist’s route.
I whole heartedly agree Paul R. They make some awesome leather rejuvenators (Leatherique and Color Plus are two) that one can soften the leather first and then deep clean and even dye if that’s your fancy. Use that on the interior, clean, buff the paint .. and that beautiful inline 6 … well, that is probably going to need a rebuild as it’s lacking the carbs and manifold… seriously doubt it will turn over by hand. My opinion is that $50K is a typical high asking of Gullwing, the best of the best Series 1 are only fetching just over 100K in current market. If you could get this for around $20K and put 15-20K into the engine and then do the cleaning/buffing/interior work yourself, you might not be under water. But if you had a blast doing all that and ended up with an awesome Series 1 E Type driver, would that matter?
If I had the extra money and the extra time and could get Pete to accept 20-25K, I certainly would.
Gullwing is never shy about the Ask. This merits an in-person inspection before purchase.
A friend of mine had one in 1966. It was a pain in the you know what. Constant oil drips, overheating and refusal to start. The service manager at British Motrors on van Ness Ave in San Francisco told bnhim, with a straight face that the oil drips were logical, because the oil pan expanded when the engine cooled down. This is perfectly normal he told my incredulous friend, who happened to know about such things, being a car nut of the first order. The overheating he cured by removing the two Lucas electric fans behind the miniscule radiator and replacing them with a used Chevrolet heater fan which actually worked sucking the air through the ridiculous radiator like a porn queen. The service manager informed my buddy, that it overheated because it was designed for cool English weather. Absoliutely unbelievable the arrogance of that stiff upper lipper.
Series 1 cars in 1966 did not have twin electric Lucas fans. They had a single, less-than-adequate “lawnmower” twin blade fan. The twin electric Lucas fans introduced in the Series II in October of 1968, were a big improvement in reliability and cooling (along with a bigger cross-flow rad…combined with other improvements.
Thank you Laurence for the correction. In my defense, this is 2026 and we are talking here 60 years ago, so excuse my slip-up; possibly my buddy 60 uears ago did not have a 1966 model. All I remember clearly his frustration with the TWO eklectric fans never being sufficient and changing them for a Chevrolet heater fan from a junk yard. I assumed ( big mistake) that they were Lucas´s, with whhich I never experienced any problems with my TR3 or my Midget.
Interesting they want nearly $50k for it and eBay doing what they do there are other running and driving examples also on eBay for around the same money or cheaper, because it is missing the intake and carbs from the picture I would say drop a Ford 5.2 Supercharged Predator engine drive train in it. For that asking price they can keep it
Throw that ‘total restoration’ banter around if you’re in it for the money otherwise if the front rails are not rusted apart from the tub turn the engine over change the oil & filter & run a gas line, fire the sucker up. This is no time to act adult. Dig that hardtop
A “real” Jaquar with toggle switches instead of rocker switches . . . thank you !!!
I have no idea why they don`t at least clean up the thing! I like restoring anything, and could improve this car 100% just by cleaning and polishing.
It´s called arrogance.
These have always made me think of a catfish whenever I would see one on the road… which has been a long while. GLWTS.
LOL, yes or a whale shark :-)