Since many of the Jaguar E-Types that appear on Craigslist, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace are rust-bucket “projects,” it’s worth giving a second look at this 1970 Series II coupe (not a 2+2) here on Craigslist in Richmond, Virginia. The price is $40,000, and it’s firm.
Oddly enough, 30 years ago I encountered a just-painted Series I that was as nice as this car, and also needing the interior, plus the glass reinstalled. The asking price: $3,500. Ah, it was a lot of money then. The photo below may or may not be the same car, but it’s in the ad.
Far from being a rust bucket, it’s a professionally painted car with all new chrome and stainless, plus a brand-new windshield and perfect glass all around. Also new are the radiator, alternator, and front and rear shocks. The owner has less to say about the motor (which should be a 4.2-liter version of the famous six-cylinder Jaguar XK powerplant), other than that it was removed and perhaps, painted and freshened up. Per the ad, If the car has only 20,000 miles on it, then that engine should be reusable. No guarantees, though. “Too much too list.” Really? Craigslist doesn’t charge by the word.
From what little of the interior that’s visible, it needs a complete overhaul, but a seat form kit is included. These cars have fairly minimal interiors—the door panels, headliner, and seats mostly.
The paint and trim do look good, and the floors are fine. The steering wheel appears quite nice. But there still could be significant challenges here, such as a possible motor and transmission rebuild (the four-speed unit appears to be in place), suspension, brakes, wiring, etc.
The Series II, built from 1968 to 1971, was a compliance car, making changes necessary to meet U.S. regulations. The glass headlight covers were beautiful, but they didn’t produce much light so they were gone. The Citroën DS lost its covers, too. No one would argue that the Series II is better looking than the Series I since it’s burdened with a wrap-around rear bumper, big front indicators and taillights, and side marker lights. But the twin electric fans did aid cooling.
The II also lost the push-button starter in favor of a steering lock and plastic rocker switches replacing the toggles. The steering column became collapsible, and new headrests met the letter of the law.
In place of triple SUs (which I also had on my Mark X), the II had twin two-barrel Strombergs. Horsepower was down to 246 from 265, and torque to 263 pound-feet from 283. But as the E-Type went upscale, air and power steering became available. Total production of the Series II was 13,490, most of which were exported from Britain. That seems like a very low number now. Some Series IIs and IIIs are getting the restomod treatment.
Classic.com lists the Series II E-Type at $62,306 and trending down. So, there’s some wiggle room on this one. If you can verify the engine and transmission, they are usable. And that mileage is actual. That red looks a little too, well, red, to be an original color. But I’m no expert.
It’s going to be a good looker when put all back together. The lack of rust tells me it’s had good care up to now making it a good buy.
Saw this earlier in the week. Looks like a great project. Just keep in mind that a new interior kit for a coupe will run just over 5k and you will pay similar money to have it installed. Wish they had included a picture of the engine bay…. Key would be the quality of the body work, if good, then this looks to be fairly priced.
While the seller’s verbiage is certainly ambiguous, I’m guessing the engine is back in place. The engine and transmission are usually removed and reinstalled as a single unit. It’s difficult to separate them and leave the trans in while pulling the engine. If the numbers match, this is not a bad deal.
Regarding the paint, that looks pretty close to Signal Red, which is an original color.
Cool but I’ve always liked the lines of the roadster MUCH BETTER.
Back when Hemmings published Sports and Exotic Car (their best mag IMO) I used to enjoy reading about E-type restorations and how guys would say “I got a great deal on a Jaguar. $70,000 later and I can drive it!”…or something to that effect.
If the engine and trans are good someones going to have a very satisfying project here!
While I have a small cosmetic preference for the original covered headlamps (Perspex–not glass) and the smaller air intake, I can happily live with the Series II look as it is still elegant and a bit more aggressive.
Contrary to what most people think, the wrap-around bumper in the back, and the new tail lamps below the bumpers, were NOT due to American safety regulations. Sir William Lyons had never been crazy about the split-bumper look of the Series I, with its Rolls-sourced Lucas lights. Thus, when time to freshen the design after eight years of the same look, Malcolm Sayer and Sir William came up with what some people such as myself call a sleeker look. As far as the often-maligned rocker switches are concerned, people who bash them never seem to mention that the Series II gained a cool extra gauge above them, and that unlike the Series !’s SIX toggle switches, the Series II got a TEN rockers that really give a jet aircraft look! Also, despite assumptions, the two punier-lookingwo Zenith-Stromberg carbs actually do the job of the three older-tech SUs (patented in 1922!!). What causes some loss of power in American Series II cars is the overhead cross-over pipes that take hot exhaust gases to warm the gasoline/air emulsion to reduce emission numbers.
Great looking ‘70 coupe. The new interior kit runs $6-8k plus install. When done this will be a stunning coupe with a great color combo! I miss my ‘70 E roadster!
UK cars kept the triple SU carbs, I think only US versions had the Strombergs, easy but expensive to refit the SU carbs.