It seems to be a fact of life that most examples of the Jaguar E-Type that we see here at Barn Finds fall into two distinct categories. They can be beautifully restored or preserved classics, or they tend to be project cars riddled with rust. This 1969 2+2 is slightly different. When you look beyond the faded paint and the broken windshield, what you find is a British sports car that appears to be rust-free and a prime candidate for restoration. If that sounds like an attractive proposition, you will find the E-Type located in Santa Rosa, California, and listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $25,000, but there is the option to make an offer.
The E-Type is finished in its original and not-so-imaginatively-named Light Blue. This was a color that was introduced in this model year and remained on the color palette until the end of 1972. The first thing that you will undoubtedly notice is the missing panels. However, this is not an issue because they are present but not attached to the vehicle. The body looks straight, with no evidence of significant dings or dents. The key to this car is probably contained in its location. Classics from California have a fair chance of surviving without rust problems, and this Jag is no exception. The owner supplies photos of the underside, and while there is surface corrosion, there is no evidence of penetrating rust anywhere on the vehicle. That doesn’t mean that it will be a matter of simply slapping on a fresh coat of paint because I believe that a frame-off restoration would be the best path to follow in this case. Given the reputation that these cars have for rust, I would want to eliminate the corrosion before it can get its claws into that British steel. Most of the exterior trim will need restoration or replacement, while the same is true of the wire wheels. The windshield is badly cracked, but the rest of the glass looks okay.
The E-Type is a numbers-matching classic, and the engine bay houses the 4,235cc DOHC 6-cylinder engine that should be capable of producing 266hp. For sports car enthusiasts, that power finds its way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission, rather than the optional 3-speed automatic. The 2+2 didn’t offer quite the performance figures of its 2-seat siblings. This was because it tipped the scales at 3,135lbs versus the regular Hardtop’s 2,912lbs. That extra weight meant that the 2+2 took 15.5 seconds to cover the ¼-mile, while the 2-seater could complete the same journey in 14.9 seconds. A few pieces appear to be missing from this car, so the buyer might need to go hunting. The top of the air cleaner is gone, as are the exhaust manifold and radiator. The seller doesn’t indicate whether the engine turns freely or when the car last ran. It would require a thorough inspection first, but maybe it can be coaxed back to life without resorting to a rebuild. If that is the case, it would be no bad thing. A rebuild can potentially be a costly exercise, and it would help the financial viability of this project if it could be avoided.
The Jag’s interior is trimmed in Black leather, and while it is complete, it will need some work. What can be seen of the leather upholstery seems to be free from wear and rips, but it does look tired. Before I considered searching for replacement pieces, I would be tempted to attack some of it with a high-quality leather conditioner. That approach might soften and rejuvenate it and could save considerable cash during the restoration. There will still be plenty of items on the shopping list, including a headliner and a carpet set. There will also be a few smaller pieces to source, but this might not be that bad. From a positive standpoint, the original owner ordered the E-Type with air conditioning, and the system does appear to be complete.
We probably have a few regular Barn Finds readers who think that I blindly adore the Jaguar E-Type and that I don’t have a bad word to say about them. I admit that I have a huge soft spot for them, but the 2+2 Hardtop would not be at the top of my wish list. However, if I did decide to park one in my workshop, this would be a strong candidate. The engine tips the scales because the later V12 versions were too heavy and too complicated, and they graphically demonstrated that Jaguar had lost their mojo with the E-Type. The other great attraction with this one is its lack of rust. The new owner will not be spending a fortune on rust repairs, which means that many panel and paint tasks could be undertaken in a home workshop. That will probably be a necessity if the project is to remain financially viable. The 2+2 doesn’t command the same sorts of values as the 2-seat examples. However, those with manual transmissions will generally sell for around 10% more than those lumbered with an automatic. Thoroughly and meticulously restored, this one has the capability of selling for more than $50,000, with $65,000 not out of the question on a good day. With that thought in the back of your head, are you tempted to pursue this one further?
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