Imagine a street scene in the late 1960s in London – lots of old soot-covered buildings, and lots of new brutalist architecture being built, promising an exciting new concrete future, full of lines, grey concrete, and utopian ideas. Then imagine the cars driving around, small Austins, some old pre-war cars, nothing very exciting. Then imagine a Jaguar E-Type comes roaring along the street, resplendent in red, covered in curves, and a stark contrast to everything around it. Possibly one of the most exciting cars of its time, yet today retains that allure that endeared it to millions over the years. And what better way to try and capture some of this magic, than by owning one? Well, today is your lucky chance because if you head over to the Barn Finds Classifieds here, or the alternative eBay link here, you can buy this red one for $57,500 from Los Angeles, California.
I have always wanted to own a scruffy classic – one which often ends up in Concours events in perfect condition, but you own a drivable and not an aesthetically perfect one. This means you can thrash it around the B-roads, and actually enjoy using it, rather than it becoming a museum piece. Our scruffy driver has just 63k miles on the clock, on what the seller assumed to be the original 4.2l inline-6 engine. Luckily the car comes with a 4-speed manual transmission and the car has a rare power steering unit from the factory.
This car is not all original, as it had some restoration work in the year 2000 – both mechanical and cosmetic. Then in 2022, it had some more mechanical restoration which included replacing the clutch master cylinder among others. So mechanically the car is good enough for 20 – 30 miles a week in California, but the seller states that there is probably more cosmetic work to be done. The floor is rusty but sturdy, and the doors are bubbling with rust under the paint, but this doesn’t affect the driving experience.
I think this car is probably in need of some more serious repairs – although it’s a daily driver, anywhere other than California with a wetter climate would probably accelerate the rust and other issues in a short time period. It’s in need of some TLC, or can be fixed on the fly as and when. The only question is – does this slice of 1960s Britain tempt you enough to place a bid?
I would love to drive this on a winding mountain road !
Going fast, hugging the curves ! On my bucket list.
Just dreaming ! 😊
Ads in several spots for this one, and they are higher in price. Good examples are maybe 10-15K more, but this needs more work than that.
Might be fun to drive – once – but I wouldn’t want this rusty candy-wrapper.
Hi there, I’m the seller. This one drives very well. I’m happy to provide a link to the 200 photos documenting the body/paint condition and rust areas. The rust is limited to the floor pans, driver and passenger sides.
It’s been appraised at higher than $60,000 by an expert. I appreciate your opinion, but it’s ill-informed. One should base opinions on facts, not unsubstantiated statements. Thanks!
Where i grew up along the road was a Iso Grifo SE parked.
An Iso not some crap! Once the owner put a for sale sign-
board on.30’000.- with 74’000 KM Then he removed it
and kept the car. Then again on and removed it again. Once
the car was gone and a 427 Grifo was parking with the
same number plates. After a short time the 427 was gone
and the former blue SE back. Times change and values
of rare machines.
What?! ‘Mechanically restored’ and only the clutch master
changed? Let me tell mechanical restored means the
whole engine was disassembled honed ported and
balanced. With new pistons bearings sealant and fine
tuning which also counts for the rest of the mechanics.
The gearbox, 4 new brake discs or machined brake drums
all to the same diameter!! Rebuilt gearbox and shifter
linkeage. This thing received a good polish but it is a
sparkling turd.
The Jag is overpriced. With all the rust not road safe.
???. Need to be more coherent bro
I agree with the others. A rusty good looking car is just as painful to maintain as an ugly one. 20 miles a week ? What happens then ? Overheating I guess. This car is trouble without a solid base to work on.
Yep agreed, that’s what I tell my kids about their grandparents or anyone over 50. They may have their zest, but their time is limited. They need a lot of work to keep them alive.
Hi Mark, thanks for your questions and comments! Many friends and family members reached out to me about the inaccuracy of this article’s comments, yours being one. As a communications and PR executive, rule #1: do not to engage with negative reactionary commentary unless it is objectively false.
In post-pandemic life, I rarely exceed 50 miles per week. The vehicle is on offer, with over 200 photos and videos displaying close-ups of every surface of the car. Having been inspected, the only major rust areas are both floor pans. The vehicle will come with two new ones ($100 total).
The cooling system has been updated and repaired, and the Jaguar does not suffer from overheating issues, even amid our recent 100ºF+ heatwave in Los Angeles. As for the “20 miles a week” comment. Many of my close friends and I daily drive classic and exotic cars, including DeTomaso Panteras, classic BMW M-Series cars, Porsches, and Ferraris. Very few traditional classic and exotic car owners drive more than 50 miles a month. I question if you own (or have ever owned) a classic car of your own.
I’m unsure of your knowledge of Jaguars or classic cars, but this is my third classic Jaguar and my second E-Type/XKE. The car runs and drives well. Unfortunately, I don’t have space for it. And, I’m not too fond of E-Types; they draw far too much attention for my liking, and in an urban environment like Los Angeles, that poses a safety risk.
If you’re interested in the vehicle, please review the high-resolution photos/videos at the link below. If you have any other questions, then feel free to reach out to me directly.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-2te8gn3zIhjE0gPS-k_W-kqHZwBRRX3?usp=sharing
“soot covered buildings” , boy does that bring back memories ! My family went to visit relatives in Scotland in 67 ,70, 74 and 80. I remember well looking at all the blackened buildings in Edinburgh and how dark and gloomy the massive train station looked. My wife and I went back in the late 90s , and what a difference ! They really cleaned up the buildings ; the city seemed young again. The station was so bright, all the years of soot gone, and the sun gleamed through all the glass panes. Of course, we didnt see any cool cars like this cruising around !
Why no alternator belt? Perhaps the battery lasts 20-30 miles?
mmm … these cars are typically riddled with rust owing to the complex hidden sheet metal. If done properly, restoration involves taking that sheet metal apart to reveal the extent of the rust, even in outwardly pristine examples. I can’t imagine it’d be good news if this one is ever taken apart. But still, it’s tempting to ignore this. It looks great in those pics from 10 feet.
Hi Greg, thanks for your comments! You are right; many of these vehicles are riddled, if not plagued by rust.
However, The vehicle is on offer, with over 200 photos and videos displaying close-ups of every surface of the car. Having been inspected, the only major rust areas are both floor pans. The vehicle will come with two new ones ($100 total).
If interested in the vehicle, please review the high-resolution photos/videos at the link below. If you have any other questions, then feel free to reach out to me directly.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-2te8gn3zIhjE0gPS-k_W-kqHZwBRRX3?usp=sharing
Never mind the rust, how about the perennial overheating problem? These things overheat in Alaska in December while dripping oil. It´s a honey trap, beware.
There you go again, Gerard Frederick!! Update: my properly-cared-for ’69 E Type roadster, which I have been driving the whole summer and enjoying beyond words, doesn’t overheat. It has its original white Lucas fans doing their intended job and the original, unrestored cross-flow rad is also in nice shape. I regularly check under the car, and not one drop of oil has emerged from anywhere. All you have to do, old boy, is follow the owner’s manual, as long as you have a good car to begin with. I will grant you, though, that the red FHC in this ad may be doing the things you describe, because it has been neglected.
Problems caused by neglect/laziness/stinginess/ignorance/stupidity, are not the same as bad quality. Look after these exotic cars by performing the appropriate maintenance and they will reward you by being an excellent investment and give you trouble-free exhilaration on the road. Don’t do maintenance and they will deteriorate and hit you painfully in the wallet. An exotic sports car isn’t a VW Bug or a Chevy pick-up truck.
Well said, Laurence! It is apparent that many of the commentators are not informed or educated on classic cars, specifically classic European cars such as Jaguars.
Hi Mark, thanks for your questions and comments! Many friends and family members reached out to me about the inaccuracy of this article’s comments, yours being one. As a communications and PR executive, rule #1: do not to engage with negative reactionary commentary unless it is objectively false.
Nevertheless, the car’s cooling system has been updated and repaired, and the Jaguar does not suffer from overheating issues, even amid our recent 100ºF+ heatwave in Los Angeles. Cosmetically, this vehicle is in its original preserved state. However, operationally it has been gone through. I encourage you to seek further documentation of repaired/replaced parts and servicing. The aforementioned documents are available for viewing at the link as follows:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-2te8gn3zIhjE0gPS-k_W-kqHZwBRRX3?usp=sharing
Take the boat anchor motor out along with the tranny and stick a chevy 350 in it with a 5 speed trans. Then have a look at the cancer issues. My mother had one of these. When it ran, it ran great, otherwise it was a perennial favorite in the local Jag shop.
60k or this? I wouldn’t give you that for a pristine one. My neighbor had a beautiful low mileage one and ended up selling it because one thing after another kept breaking and he just got sick of all the time and money he was sinking in it.
Hi Gary, that’s unfortunate. There’s always a bad apple in every bunch. I’m unsure if you’re aware of the market value changes for this vehicle, but prices have skyrocketed. Also, I think we’re all aware of the troubling inflation in global markets.
Experts and local classic car dealers have appraised the vehicle. It’s being offered lower than its insured value and the appraised estimates. I suggest you research and seek professional second opinions from accredited appraisers (maybe Hagerty’s Car Values Tool?).
Again, classic car ownership is a commitment and a lifestyle choice. It would appear as though your neighbor wasn’t prepared for it.
Thanks for your anecdote! I always love hearing stories from other classic Jaguar owners.
When I was in the Air Force in the 1960s knew several guys who had brought Jags back from overseas. Most of the time they were either under them or the cars were in a shop waiting parts. Remember in those years there were not foreign car repair shops or a parts store around the corner. Parts for Jags, MGs, Toyotas, etc. had to be ordered from overseas which took months.
Original auction has ended. It’s been relisted: https://www.ebay.com/itm/165668196804?ViewItem=&item=165668196804&vxp=mtr
I had a chance to buy one last year for $20k no rust cream yellow with black interior and a bucket list car with only 50k original miles but my 5’11” 235lb body and size 13 shoes didn’t fit. Only way to shut the door was with window down and left arm out, and had to take off my shoes because they covered 2 pedals at a time in that narrow footwell. I got to test drive it and was heart broken to admit I will never fit and there really was no reason to buy it if I couldn’t enjoy it. I still love those Jags as some of the most beautiful autos ever built.
You should be able to fit in a 2+2. After all, John Wayne was able to.
Hahahaha! Hemistroker, I do not fit well either. In the past 2-3 months, I’ve acquired two XKEs. This is my second. The first was a Series 1 2+2, which had much more room once seated. But, getting in and out was very awkward.
I have a similar comfort issue with this FHC, but entry and exit are somehow less bothersome. I love my Jaguar Mk2 because it doesn’t have the XKE’s lip and basin seating position
I’m considering an Austin-Healey 3000 as its replacement. Do you have experience in sitting/driving those? I’m very curious.
I have this same example in a 2+2 coupe I have owned for 37 years. It was retrofitted with triple SU carbs and repainted before I bought it. Mine has A/C as well and it’s interesting how my compressor is mounted vertically vs this one…
Hey Charlie, I sold my S1.5 2+2 for this FHC. I found the additional legroom noticeable, but it was oddly more awkward for me to get in and out of. I was shocked. I think it’s the more extended door that makes it more challenging for me.
it’s pretty boring to keep seeing the seller commenting on every little complaint. and it’s still not selling. usually that’s a sign of something being overpriced.