Swooning over the XKE’s sinuous shape is effortless. We all know it’s a tour de force in the world of automotive styling. But who was the guy behind the curves, and how did he come up with the XKE? As much as has been written about the car itself, less has been written about the man behind the design. That would be Malcolm Sayer, and we’ll respect his wishes to be called an aerodynamicist – he derided the term “stylist” for its similarity to “hairdresser”. Sayer grew up in Cromer, Norfolk, eventually becoming an aeronautical engineer. He worked for Bristol Aeroplane during WWII, afterwards traveling to Baghdad to start an engineering department at its main university. Though that post turned to a mirage, it was a critical moment for the yet-unborn Jaguar: it was in Iraq that Sayer met a German engineer who taught him how mathematics could tie into curve-shaping and aerodynamics. Upon his return to the UK, Sayer joined Jaguar’s engineering department and began employing his analog version of what has evolved into CAD/CAM. Bob Blake, working at Jaguar’s Experimental division, would say that one could put a finger on a Sayer-skinned car, and Sayer could quote its curvilinear dimensions within a thousandth of an inch. Though the later XKE evolved away from the purest expression of the model as launched in 1961, it retains an appeal that cannot be denied. This convertible 1973 Series 3 is advertised for sale here on craigslist for $17,500, located in Miami, Florida. Thanks once again, T.J., for the tip!
Alas, our seller did not provide a photo of the engine bay, but what should be underhood is Jaguar’s new-at-the-time 5.3 liter V12. With development roots stretching back into the 1950s, this V12 went racing in DOHC form, was installed in a few Mark Xs in SOHC form a decade later, and finally arrived – suited for mass production – in the 1971 XKE. Hung with four side-draught Zenith carburetors, the kit made about 240 hp. Opening the bonnet of a V12 XKE will reveal an intimidating mass of small-bore tubing – and I mean mass. There isn’t a lot of unused space in that engine bay. Personally, the sight gives me vertigo, but others get along quite well with the V12, noting only that prior abuse may leave a new owner with plenty of work. This car falls into that category, the form of abuse being not running for thirty years. Surmount that, and you’ll have a silky performer that can jet from zero to sixty in less than seven seconds. Fortunately, too, this car is a manual. An automatic was offered by the time Series 3 production started – those cars are less valuable today.
The interior is missing all its seating. Good luck finding those – my go-to source (Martin Robey) lists them as NLA. If this were my car I would fit a couple of vintage buckets until I could find seat frames. In 1967, the instrument panel lost the toggle switches I find so appealing in lieu of rockers – for safety y’know. I also prefer the earlier wood-rimmed steering wheel. Other than the missing seats, this car’s fittings appear to be in decent nick, including the canvas top.
By the time the Series 3 arrived, it was situated on the larger XKE 2+2 chassis, adding about 9″ to the wheelbase. The fenders gained girth, and the grille now stretched nearly the full width of the front end. This example’s paint has seen better days, and the two side marker lights here are missing their lenses. The tires have that “sunburnt” look that means replacements are on the horizon. Every version of the XKE has its fans; with this comparable non-running ’73 selling for $45k just recently, our subject car might be a bargain. What do you think?
Good luck finding seats? If that concerns you then this isn’t the car for you.
Moss Motors have kits for nearly every thing you will need.
A breathtakingly gorgeous maroon XKE was parked top-down in front of the G.C. Murphy store one summer evening. It was the early 60’s and I couldn’t have been more than five years old, but the impression of that beautiful, beautiful car remains to this day.
Great stuff Michelle. 1961, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, and a traffic jam in one of the main roads just outside the city centre. There wasn’t one car looking like it was ever going to move due to there being no drivers in them! I got out and had to walk about 100 yards to the area of congestion to find that there were about 100 people surrounding a brand new Jaguar XK E Type Roadster! Eventually the police arrived and moved everybody on so that the owner could drive it away! Still the most beautiful car I have ever seen. I have owned a couple of E Types since then but they didn’t grab me like that one did. The new, upcoming JJ Electric junk will never have the appeal of the E Type and Land Rover Jaguar are expected to go bankrupt within one year of it coming out. Only two colours offered, either pale blue or PINK! Pink, for a MAN’S car? I don’t think so!
@Michelle Rand
NLA? Educate me here please. An uncle bought one of these new. I believe his was a 1974 last year. I drove it once. It was like going for a jog with a race horse on a leash.
No Longer Available
Thanks Euromoto
At that price, I’m guessing that the V12 is missing.
Well, the ad says explicitly, it’s equipped with a V12. And that they don’t know if it*s in working condition. If the engine would be out, I guess the front suspension would push the body way up. Which doesn’t show in the fotos.
Okay, then either it’s a scam or the seller needs his head examined for selling a car easily worth 4 – 5 times the asking price.
Most likely, an undisclosed flood victim. In that case, call Tyler Hoover!
Man I wish I had the room for this bargain. This is one of the cheapest E Jags I have come accross. I hope it goes to a good home. I used to sell these new and used in the 70s in Dover Pa. I love these cars. They are a piece of auto art and history. I just finished my SV-1 and getting to old to start another 3 – 4 year project. Good luck in finding a deserving buyer.
Ditto! I’d buy in in a second if I had a garage, or even a house! Boat life has its disadvantages.
Base on what these sell for it maybe a very good deal especially if you know how to restore one.
I totally agree. I wish I didn’t see this ad. The price is so low. Just price one of those hand made crome wire appliance wheels. This car also came with overdrive and air condition. They were a blast to drive. 😁
@PRA4SNW
That might explain why the seats are missing. But they also says clean title which makes it more perplexing. Our reporting investigating committee must be on vacation. If anyone is seriously interested I would have cash in one hand and the transporter ready to take it on the spot.
Frog,
The owner may not have had insurance on it at the time of the flood, or something like that. I honestly don’t know how flood insurance works.
That’s not to say that a flood car can’t be revived. Ignore the click bait headline, they actually got this salt water flood car running. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEql9IuCEVY
This car can be flipped for double the money and then some.
PRA4SNW
You might be correct. I couldn’t tell for certain but the floor appears to be saturated from water and the exhaust pipe looks rusted. The smell of mold and mildew is another strong indicator. Although the seats are missing along with the mounting hardware, rusted bolt holes is another telltale sign.
Frog, Yeah, if the water line was above the seats, those things would have been a tell-tale sign with all the discoloration and mold.
Pretty underhanded if you ask me, not to mention it up front.
The market for a nice 73 XKE V12 is about 100 to 200k which is out of the price range for mortals like me. But the good news is although it doesn’t have the British lineage, you can buy a 2002 XK8 that looks just as good in my opinion that’s faster more powerful and a whole lot easier to maintain. At less than a fourth of the cost. Ford Motors had improved the XKE immensely all around and it’s one of the best deals going today.