The E-Type was based on the 24 Hours of Le Mans winning D-Type Jaguar and way ahead of other sports cars of its time. They are fast, with a top speed of 150 MPH with 0 to 60 MPH in under 7 seconds. They have monocoque construction, disc brakes, rack and pinion steering as well as independent front and rear suspension. Enzo Ferrari said it was “the most beautiful car ever made”. Can you imagine opening a garage door and finding this E-Type under 45 years of dust? But it’s hard to imagine looking at this Jag, listed on eBay, how much it would take to turn this sad Jag into a $175,000 Concours car or even a $130,000 #2 car. Bidding is at $43,000 now, getting close to the value of a #4 driver. It’s completely original and numbers matching and said to have only surface and a few small holes. Unfortunately, those little holes mean there will be lots of other pinholes hiding under the paint. Then there is the smooshed nose. Thanks to Doug M for sending us this interesting listing.
It looks like the interior could be usable with a good cleaning and carpet. If there is no damage, leather restoration might leave the seats looking quite nice.
The engine looks complete and unmolested. Hopefully it’s not seized. It will likely take some expensive work to bring this engine back to life.
Here’s the sad part, the rusty underside. It might well be full of pinholes when you get down to bare metal. There is likely much more rust hiding elsewhere.
This XKE looks pretty nice from here, especially if you squint a bit. That door gap and the rust under the door are worrisome. This Jag will likely end up in a restoration shop for a year or two and then be part of someone’s expensive collection. It’s hard to imagine someone not at least repairing the rust damage. Could you imagine just cleaning this up, doing the necessary mechanicals and driving it like it is? At this price it doesn’t seem likely. What do you think will become of this Jaguar?
Sorry – there is too much superior condition, easier to own, easier to live with wheels than this ( not to mention – cheaper)
I’m definitely no Jag expert but this one looks like it has some serious issues. That door gap and the dimple in the roof might be connected? Seems like a lot of money too but just a casual observance. Interested to hear more educated opinion.
Some sellers have a strange idea of surface rust.
This one is definitely worthy of a bare shell/bare metal restoration. Having had a bit to do with Jags over the years, I don’t see anything here that is of massive concern.
As an interesting aside, Jaguar pulled one of the great motoring con-jobs with the E-Type. When it was announced, Jaguar claimed that it would be capable of 150 mph. The reality was that it’s capability was some 8 mph short of this claim. Jaguar then modified their press demonstrator (registration number: 9600 HP) with D-Type engine specs to achieve this mark. There had been some suspicions that this was the case, and this was actually confirmed when a private buyer bought the car and commenced restoration.
Man these have been coming out of the barns lately, maybe that’s do to the astronomical prices their bringing these days. This car is going to need a long and extensive restoration, and it’s not going to be cheap. All in all it looks like a doable car. I would definitely do a color change. Who wants Fleet white on a car of this pedigree.
The ad says it’s the original paint, so for me, that means it would have to stay this colour, like it our not. Of course, in the end, it’s up to the owner.
It looks like a great place to start. However, its bare tub restoration for this one in my opinion. There will be no good place to stop on a car like this. Great project.
Exactly,90 point or better restoration or nothing. cheap? no,worth it? yes.
These are beautiful cars but this one is a great example of the maxim to buy the best one you can afford, rather than the cheap project with “surface rust” and “needs a good cleaning” and what have you.
Tell you what though–I’d pay good money for that phone booth.
I’m with you. I would rather have a nice driver any day. Watching “What’s My Car Worth” the difference between condition one and two is a couple of scratches on the bumper of a perfect car. Sorry sir that’s 30k in value gone. No thanks. Do the what’s a must, clean, polish, detail, and enjoy. Rinse and repeat.
I have owned E Types since 1972. Series 2, then a Series 3, and currently a Series 1….. 2 being convertibles. They are fantastic cars to own, drive & simply feel good about. You do need some patience though. The series 1 convertible is by far the best Model, and the most valuable. Coupes are also very nice and fun 4 seasons a year. They are very expensive to maintain, and bodywork requires a very experienced and a extremely high caliber shop to make a damaged E Type ‘right’ again. Few shops can. My advice……you will need 2.5 to 3 years, and at least $75,000. In addition to the acquisition cost….to make you smile. You will frown excessively during this process. I suggest buying one that is what you want….have it thoroughly inspected before purchasing …..then suck it up when all is good.
“way ahead of other sports cars of its time” ?? Well maybe other BRITISH sports cars.
I would still rather have the phone booth, with the phone….
just sayin’.
First car I fell in love with was a type 1 in this color. Now I drive the modern iteration of it and still love Jags. At 40k plus resto it would probably take years to appreciate enough to get your money back. But do you resto a car like this for $ or love.
In case some missed it, I apologized to the folks on the Maserati Mistral, about dropping a V8 in it. It would be just as bad as dropping one in this car. This car,,,,sigh, is exactly where the hobby is going. The time to buy Jag’s, at any kind of reasonable price, was in the 70’s, when nobody wanted them. For me, it’s the most fantastic car ever produced. I know that’s a hefty claim, but growing up a gearhead child, there were 2 cars we drew pictures of, a Corvette and an XKE. I’ve told this before, but in ’73, when I bought my ’71 MGB, there was a ’70 XKE conv. right next to it on the lot. The MG was $1,995, and the Jag was $2,895. ( the salesman tried his darndest to sell me the Jag, no one was looking at it) I couldn’t raise the extra $900 bucks ( a lot of money for a young punk with no real job) so I went with the MG. Loved the MG, but always regretted not buying the Jag. Quite frankly, $50 thousand dollars ( or more by the time it’s done) for THIS car, is pure silliness. XKE’s aren’t exactly rare ( there’s like 60 on Hemmings alone) but for whatever reason today, ANY XKE is automatic “money in the bank”. This car is nice enough for a restoration, no doubt, it’s a fantastic find, but these cars have to start out cheaper, you’ll be under water in no time. You got that kind of money to piss away, have at it.
Oh, FWIW, ( apparently, a lot) the phone booth is a “Big London K6” phone booth, circa, 1926 on. Pretty much, the standard phone booth for years (wasn’t that clever, parking the Jag next to a London phone booth?) Approximate value, in restored condition, about $2,000-$5,000. Screw the Jag, there’s your money maker, HA! ( I know, go back to bed, Howard) :)
E-type door sills/rockers – If you can see rust on the outside, it’s worse inside. Jaguar put no paint on the inside of the rocker cavities as a cost cutter. It’s not a horrible job to weld in new inner and outer sills provided the tub is cross-braced before cutting out the old sills as they are structural. I probably over-killed mine but sprayed the new parts with weld-through primer, then painted rust preventive after the inner panels were welded up, then sprayed the inside of the cavity with Eastwood’s waxy oil preservative using their long spray tool after final paint.
There are quite a few XKE’s in all conditions coming out of storage – the intrinsic beauty of the design and the run up in prices seem to be the driving factors.
No question, restoration is Expensive – buy the best example you can afford has always been the mantra. The entry point for ownership depends on your level of commitment, resources and your personal plan for the car.
Project:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Jaguar-E-Type-/142290139730?rmvSB=true
Survivor:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-Jaguar-E-Type-Coupe-/262870172071?rmvSB=true
Best source of info:
http://www.xkedata.com/latest/
HowardA, I forgive your trangression on the Mistral. Lol.
We all have our thoughts. As abhorant as that may have been…
@Tony S
Oh, OK…. just for fun, can you list out all the other sports cars available anywhere in the world in 1961 that had all-round disk-brakes, all round independent suspension and could compete with the E-type for performance, ride and handling ? I’ve got a feeling it will be a pretty short list….. if you add in the proviso “at that price” the list will be zero
Sold for $63,600.00. With 39 bids.