UPDATE 01/26/2024: When a classic falls within a certain price range, it isn’t uncommon for a seller not to taste success on their first attempt to find it a new home. Such has been the case with this 1965 Jaguar E-Type Roadster. It attracted frantic bidding during its previous auction but failed to meet the reserve. The seller has drawn breath for a couple of months before listing it again here on eBay. It appears that nothing has changed, with the car receiving seventeen bids to push the price to $25,000. Unsurprisingly, that figure still falls short of the reserve.
11/24/2023: If you are like me, you have a short list of classics you would park in your garage if money and space were no object. For me, a Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Roadster would make the list, alongside a ’66 Mustang GT Fastback and a couple of others. Unfortunately, it isn’t an ideal world, meaning someone else could become the new owner of this 1965 Roadster. It presents well for a driver-grade vehicle, and reversing its few changes could form part of a sympathetic restoration. The Roadster is listed here on eBay in Bensenville, Illinois.
One of the challenges of writing for Barn Finds is being impartial when a personal favorite crosses our desks. That is the one I face with this Jaguar because I have always viewed the Series 1 Roadster as the most beautiful car ever built. Designer Malcolm Sayer hit the right note with the appearance, from the long hood to its bulging flanks. The Fixed-Head Coupe isn’t quite as elegant, making it easy to accept that its design came after the elements of the Roadster were essentially locked in. This car has a known history, but it isn’t totally original. The seller and the Jaguar Heritage Certificate confirm its original owner ordered it in Opalescent Dark Blue. This shade was available from launch until 1964, but the Heritage Certificate confirms this was a Special Order. Therefore, it is a shame that a subsequent owner performed a color change to its current Cream. It presents well, but I wouldn’t classify it as a genuine survivor due to the color change. Reversing it could form part of a cosmetic restoration, and the inherent value of these classics makes that strategy worth considering. The panels are straight, and the wide selection of underside shots confirms this car is as structurally sound as the day it left the factory. The chrome is in good order, and there are no glass issues.
The backstory of this Roadster is fascinating, highlighting a person who wanted their purchase to stand apart from the crowd. He was a Wisconsin doctor, and deciding to team the Opalescent Dark Blue paint with a Red leather interior would have turned heads. However, more people would have been fascinated by his decision to order the car in right-hand drive configuration. Left-hand drive examples were readily available, but he selected this path as a “nod” to the car’s heritage. The interior presentation is acceptable for a survivor, and whether the new owner considers a partial or complete restoration will depend on their desire for originality. The leather isn’t ripped or torn, remaining soft and supple. The driver’s door armrest is damaged, but the remaining trim is in keeping with an unrestored vehicle of this vintage. There are no dash or pad problems, the wheel looks excellent, and I can’t spot any aftermarket additions. One interesting aspect of this interior is that despite this car being a Special Order vehicle, the original owner chose to forego the luxury of a factory radio.
Potential buyers may be disappointed by this Jaguar’s cosmetic changes, but they will welcome the news this is a numbers-matching classic. Its engine bay houses the glorious 4.2-liter DOHC six-cylinder engine that sends 266hp and 283 ft/lbs of torque to the independent rear end via a manual transmission. “Four” seems to be the magic number with the E-Type because the transmission features that number of ratios. That’s how many corners of the car feature independent suspension and how many also benefit from disc brakes. Jaguar’s target with the E-Type was Ferrari, with the company envisaging a car that would top 150mph at a fraction of the price of those from Maranello. That speed was verified during press media testing. However, history shows it was a “smoke and mirrors” exercise using a vehicle featuring a handbuilt engine loaded with internal components from the company’s D-Type LeMans race car! This Roadster should cover the ¼-mile in 14.9 seconds on the way to 147mph. One mystery with this car is the color of the front subframe. This should be the same shade as the exterior. However, the previously mentioned color change means it could have been Cream or Blue. The Red it currently wears is odd, which would be a question worth posing to the seller. They indicate this Jag is in sound mechanical health, having been appropriately maintained by genuinely passionate enthusiasts. It has a claimed 39,000 miles on the clock, and while verifying evidence isn’t mentioned, the known ownership history means it might exist.
Some cars hit the market and remain largely unnoticed. Others generate intense interest, producing frantic bidding. This 1965 Jaguar E-Type Roadster falls into the second category if you consider the action from its last listing. It attracted over one hundred bids on that occasion and another seventeen this time. This auction is drawing to its conclusion, with the bidding well below the closing figure of $91,100 achieved during the seller’s previous attempt. Do you think the seller will taste success this time, or will they need to exercise patience?
Beautiful, there is a very fortunate individual out there that will enjoy this engineering marvel.
I don’t get the allure of these things. To me the proportions are way off. I can see how it’s probably fun to drive but I couldn’t open the garage every day and look at this homely car.
Have you seen one in person?
Many, many times.
RKS, I’m with you on this car, not one of my favorites.
However, I DO love the Jag XJ-S models, especially the 4-headlight versions (prior to 1991 I believe). V-12 smoothness, Pirelli tires, add a rear roll bar and you’re in cruising heaven!
I have been pondering your statement, and am very curious: precisely what “proportions” are “off?”
Beauty is a subjective thing, of course, and am among those that find E-Types absolutely beautiful. My dad had a rather awkward looking yellow 2+2 V-12 at one point and I always thought the drop tops were perfection in comparison.
RkS, different strokes for different folks.
If this was in my garage, she’d be my mistress.
But I do prefer the coupe, never been a fan of softtops.
What??? I take it you like the lines and inherent beauty of the Yugo. Keep taking your meds and looking into your lava lamp. Cretin!
I’m a 68 year old Chevy guy, owning a COPO Chevelle and an LS5 Chevelle. I have owned many other hi-po Chevy’s. An XKE is the most beautiful car in the world, period. I like the coupes more than the roadsters. If I ever get one, I will sleep in it till I die. People who do not like XKEs, are in a very small minority.
This very well could be a 6 digits sale, even with the economy reigning in somewhat by consumers. Lovingly kept is apparent-but then this has always been considered one of the most appreciated designs in history.
With that, and Insofar as the radio delete: who needs it? The inherent sound of the engine is really the classic acoustic that resonates in a drivers soul.
In my fantasy 3-car garage:
Series 1 XKE Coupe
C2 Coupe, split-Wondow a bonus
slab-side 289 Cobra
I would think anyone who can afford the price of admission can also shell out for a respray, although the E-Type does look very nice in white….
Perhaps someone with more knowledge than I have can tell me why the front subframes are red? That seems odd on a blue car. Perhaps the car was stripped down for some reason?
In any case, I’m a fan, even if E-Types are always been too pricey for me.
My thought exactly. The E-type “picture frame” is body color. And red is obviously not the factory blue or the current white. It is very difficult to do a completely invisible color change on these, especially when you get under the bonnet, without a total, body-off repaint. So, either white is (at least) the second color change, or the engine photo is the owner’s other E-type.
The only logical answer about the subframe bars being red–as long as that is this car’s actual engine and not that of another E Type–is that the car was repainted in red before the colour was changed again to white.
Despite what others may think, this is one of, if not, the most beautiful auto in the history of autos. Definitely one pretty kitty.
I think it is one of the most gorgeous autos ever made, regardless of price.
No doubt we all can tell a “the one that got away” story.
Mine was a ’63 XKE 3.8 coupe that I sold for almost nothing due to extreme financial stress at the time.
Same here. I had a 63 FHC 3.8. sold after my divorce to move across the country to be with my daughter. I drove the car all the time taking my daughter to school and car shows. Sucks but life and love will always take priority.
Ive substituted my interest in expensive cars for motorcycles. Much cheaper as the price per thrill is easy to pay.
Much respect. We will always hear the sound in our hearts. The atraight cut first gear that sounds like a tractor. Haha. God I love em.
Cheers.
-monty
Enzo said the E type was the most beautiful car he had ever seen., apparently.
I have a question. Why are the frame rails burgundy?
Beautiful S1 Jag…great find, Adam!
The frame rails were painted the same color as the the body color from the factory …..the car’s original color was red.
Caveat Emptor!
👍🤓
Black plates starting with “U” came out in 1967. So maybe it spent 2 years in WI before moving to LA?
Sadly, these cars a tight squeeze for someone 6′ 2″.
I disagree.
I have owned 2 XKEs. I am 6’2″ and had no problem fitting in either.
I saw the identical car in a junkyard yesterday ( like I said in the previous barnfinds jaguar story). I have pictures of it if anyone wants to see. It looks to be complete.
there is nothing more expensive than a cheap Jaguar, Porsche, Ferrari etc.
I learned the hard way in trying to restore a ’68 series 1.5. I was $30k upside down before selling it to the next guy.
Ended at $91,100. Reserve Not Met.
Actually l owned a 1966 coupe and l think it was Made better Than the open car and yes it had the AM FM SHORT WAVE radio
I was good friends with a fellow who collected Jaguars. He owned two of these and he would let me take one out for a drive whenever we visited.. Sadly, he passed away a couple years ago. Driving these cars is pure pleasure. I think they’re one of the most beautiful automobiles to ever be built. I wish I could afford one them. If you’ve never driven one, let me tell you, it’s a special feeling to be behind the wheel. I can’t really think of the words to describe it, other than, it’s one of my favorite memories.
Right hand drive, no problem. Left hand shift, deal breaker!
IMHO right hand drive hurts the car. It would be a deal breaker for me.
No one wants a R hand drive unless you live in UK and only UK.
Well, not totally true. I had a Limousine Service. We had an English right hand drive Limousine and it worked well. Getting out already at the curb was an asset. The only real “problem” driving right hand drive is passing on a two lane road. But, a left hand shifter takes A LOT of getting used to. The limo was an automatic.
Not only U.K. Approximately half of the world drives on the left with right hand drive e.g. Australia, Ireland, India etc.
Ronald Amon: what if you live in Japan? Australia? New Zealand? South Africa?…
The doctor must have been a real Anglophile to order it with RHD. As a teenager I had the same disease while driving my RHD Healey 100 that had been brought home by a GI, I used to toss around terms like “jolly good” and “full chat”. RHD is ok and garners attention, but can be a real pain at those parking garage ticket machines or the local drive-through. Left hand shifting is awkward at first, but you can get used to it quickly. Most of the bidders are probably Brits or Aussies, but the cost of a personal inspection and shipping home will keep the price below market.
It’s only at $50,700 with 9 hours left. I smell another no sale here.
Posters here that don’t like the car’s looks are entitled to their personal taste and opinion but as someone pointed out, you are in the vast minority.
Agree, right hand drive is a barrier to sale in the USA. Seller should list it in a UK auction, should garner more interest.
Shame about the color change(s?) but there is a lot to like about this one.
The Series 1 Jaguar E-Type is the “most beautiful car in the world” for the basic car guy, the ones that are unwilling to do the research necessary to make such mundane, knuckledragging statements. In terms of mass production vehicles however, the Jag is up there. Certainly a well proportioned design and best with a roof (convertibilizing one of these is akin to cutting the head off a supermodel) It would be fair to say that Leno would probably not say that the Series 1 E-Type is the single most beautiful car ever created because he is aware of cars such as the 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Faux Cabriolet or the Bizzarinni 5300 GT Strada. There are in fact other incredibly well proportioned and integrated designs out there in the automotive landscape… you don’t have to parrot everything the automotive press tells you people. Think for yourselves and stop being so lazy. My Lancia Stratos is incredibly miss-proportioned and yet… just look at it. It’s a phenomenal thing to look at.
Well aren’t you Mr. Elite.