Restoration Skills Required: 1964 Jaguar XKE

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Cruising through the panolopy of 1964 Jaguars featured here on Barn Finds reveals a majority collection of “needs full restoration” subjects and today’s find, an XKE roadster, is no exception. The seller tells us, “Car will need total restoration”. That’s apparent, but regardless, Jaguars of this era are always worth a look-see. Located in Hanover, Massachusetts, this Series 1 example is available, here on eBay for an opening bid of $23,500.

A total restoration usually means that there is something there that can actually be restored. Merriam-Webster defines “restored” as: to bring back to a former condition or vigor. So, it’s a bit open-ended as “former” can mean the condition of the car before it got trashed, or its condition at any point in its past, or, as we customarily believe in this business, the way the car started life. And the level of restoration can go all over the board, from Concours to a nicely executed improvement.

In this case, however, there’s not a lot to work with. When I first reviewed the interior, I actually thought, “Wow interesting looking gray carpet” until I realized I was looking at asphalt (my chowder-head moment!). So, not only are the floors missing, there’s little left of the seats – just rusted frames, no door cards, and a rough-looking instrument panel that contains several vacancies. Oh, and the windshield and most of the frame have gone missing too.

Outside we’re treated to lots of rust, dents, and a missing trunk lid – surprise the same “gray carpet” has been employed in the trunk. Other notables include missing trim and door handles. As for the remaining body panels, if you dig deep enough, they appear to be Bondo repositories.

Jag-power, in the form of a 266 HP, 3.8 liter, in-line, six-cylinder engine is still occupying the engine bay but it’s a sure bet that it has not been operational in many moons. The engine shows as mostly intact but there is “stuff” missing. The seller does mention that this resto candidate rolls and steers. There appears to still be a four-speed manual transmission attached to the back of the at-one-time impressive prime mover.

Well, the opening required bid has yet to be submitted, and I’m not surprised. This auction will be worth watching to see if any, or how much, action happens but my thought is that the $23,500 opening requirement is a bridge too far. My other thought, dismissively is, put a fork in it. What’s your view, an honest assessment or have I missed something?

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Comments

  1. 8banger 8bangerMember

    $23.5K? Is it April 1st?

    Like 16
    • Bert Kanne

      Must be. There is not enough to build from here. Scrap it. Reuse and restore parts that are salvagable….The body is almost Titanic quality…

      Like 5
      • Dan

        Vintage race car. May as well have a bit of fun.

        Like 0
  2. Nevadahalfrack NevadahalfrackMember

    It’s nice that the seller includes an authentication from Jaguar Heritage Trust that this really was a complete car at one time…

    Considering these sell for $100K more than the asking price, it might be a wash when it’s said and done, completely and authentically, but it’s gonna take someone with a belief in reincarnation for this “Zombie E”.

    Like 11
  3. mike

    $23500.??? You are kidding right??? Even back in England they would trash this mess.Poor Jag

    Like 9
  4. Steveh

    This is a parts car at best.

    Like 9
  5. JACKinNWPA JACKinNWPAMember

    Drop the 20 and sell the parts car for $3,500….maybe.

    Like 4
  6. david hess

    Should say resurrection skills required.

    Like 3
  7. DA

    Jim, I think this is as restorable as the Titanic is. $235.00, delivered.

    Like 4
  8. Peter K

    Everyone can be a dreamer…. I’d go $23.50 delivered

    Like 4
  9. David Michael HerrMember

    Only fix for this is to start here https://www.martinrobey.com/jaguar/body-shells

    Like 5
  10. Lowell Peterson

    Its only money folks! Ya can’t take it with you either. Looks like a fun project to me!

    Like 4
    • RR

      Go buy it and tell everyone the FUN!

      Like 4
  11. Murdock

    OMG.
    Please, bury this one properly.
    I know first hand the costs of owning one of these (Series 1.5) and it is nothing to take lightly. Restoration costs for this one to be done properly at today’s rates will exceed 150-175K.
    There are many driver quality cars out there and even a road worthy E to keep up with it will strip your checkbook like a pack of wild dogs on a three-legged cat.
    No, you’d have to a strong stomach and a real dose of stupidity to tackle this one.
    Even if it was owned by Austin Powers and he got shagged in it once…..

    Like 1
  12. karl

    Was this the one that crashed upside down racing Kowalski ?

    Like 3
  13. ronald g stephenson

    I am beyond shocked on this one, and I have owned four of these in my time, but this one takes the cake as the worst example I have ever seen. I am surprised you folks even put this on here, but here it is. Good luck to the seller.

    Like 2
  14. bobhess bobhessMember

    Not enough here to comment on…

    Like 2
  15. mrfeez

    Nothing better than popping some popcorn before looking at Barn Finds, As for me, I like the rims, “That’s all Folks’

    Like 0
  16. Doc .

    I am a native of Massachusetts, and visit it often from Connecticut 3 miles from the border. This poor old jag ingested and rolled around more winter salt than our domestic salted cod.
    The rust is the only thing holding everything together until somebody shakes it into a pile of rust flakes by pushing it let alone anything else. If it was melted down, the true iron content would not fill a 3 gallon pail . $23.500 ? American Pickers came along with their rusty gold nonsense and seriously infected the minds of many who are completely disconnected from reality. I know some scrap yard operators around these parts who would not not accept it as scrap , too much rust , it would diminish the value of theirs.
    Cannot stop laughing

    Like 2
  17. Lathebiosas

    Parts car, and a weak one at that.

    Like 0
  18. ClassicCarFan

    “…there’s nothing quite so expensive as a cheap Jaguar E-type”

    it is a shame to take another example out of circulation ( and like a lot of people this has long been a bucket list car for me ) but…..

    parts car – lots of usable parts there… probably not $23.5 worth

    Like 1
  19. Hank R

    …the REAL punishment here is simply the price tag…but I have seen some pretty ridiculous stuff ( junk rust buckets) lately in primarily the muscle car market. It seems though, as if there is some kind of affliction going on in the minds of those in the automotive world as to what things are actually worth. If it is just the thrills one is after, you could buy a brand new muscle car for half what this one’s going to cost…..and it still won’t handle or go like a new Mustang or Camaro. They( XK’s) do have killer looks though.

    Like 0
  20. Chasbro

    Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! The price of iron oxide must be up.

    Like 0
  21. Peter Roberts

    The price is way out of line. This is only good for drive train parts for someone’s D-type replica project.

    Like 1
  22. sonny

    Seller: Are you responsible for the saying in the auto industry sales force ” THERE IS AN A$$ FOR EVERY SEAT”? Please stop thinking that everyone is ignorant!

    Like 1
  23. MarkO

    This could be converted to a much desired “FLAT FLOOR” model with just a single sheet of 3/4″ plywood! There might even be enough plywood left over to make a flat floor for the trunk! Remove what is left of the windscreen and install a single Brooklands screen. A few gallons of bondo and some re-sale RED paint… and maybe a racing stripe?
    The guys in Beverly Hills would probably offer you $23,501.00
    “It looks perfect from 100 feet away!”

    Like 0
  24. ronald g stephenson

    I would snatch it up, pull that engine and sell it with the 3 carb setup for 3000 buck and drop in an Mopar 440 or a newer 392 Hemi and hit the drag strip no changes to the body at all, as is, a real sleeper.

    Like 0
    • Hank R.

      well then, you had better snatch it up and beat the crowd…all with cash in hand of course.

      Like 2
  25. Chasbro

    That thing would turn to dust on the starting line if you tried that.

    Like 2

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