If you’ve been hunting for an early, covered-headlight E-Type roadster to build your way, this 1964 Jaguar XKE OTS Series 1 3.8, listed here on eBay, looks like a solid starting point with the right bones and a straightforward paper trail. The seller describes it as a long-time ownership car in its original white over black color combination and is clear that it needs a complete restoration. They also note the engine does not turn over. As presented, it’s very much a garage-fresh project: what you see in the photos is what’s included, and the seller says if a part isn’t pictured, they don’t have it.
Important identity details are provided in the listing: car no. 880###, body no. R75##, gearbox no. EB 127##JS, and two engine numbers, RA 4690-9 (the original, per the seller) and RA 5981-8, which the seller states is the replacement currently with the car. In other words, plan on a non-matching engine; for some buyers that’s a deal-breaker, while others see it as freedom to build a reliable, modernized 3.8 while preserving the Series 1 aesthetics. The gearbox number supplied is period-correct for a four-speed, but, as always, verify to your satisfaction.
Paperwork matters on a car at this stage, and the seller says it comes with a Georgia registration, useful both domestically and, per the seller, recognized broadly if you’re looking at export. Again, check your region’s requirements, but having a clear, current document is half the battle with a completely apart project.
As a 3.8-liter Series 1 OTS, when complete this car would feature the slim bumpers, covered lamps, and those lovely toggle switches inside, details that made early E-Types legends. The listing photos show a car ready for metalwork, sorting, and reassembly. If you’ve restored these before, you know the drill: inspect the sills, floors, toe boards, bulkhead, bonnet structure, and front frames. The seller’s frank about condition and parts presence, and they offer to provide additional photos on request—wise to take them up on that.
The upside here is clear: early roadster, desirable color combo (as the seller claims), and a blank canvas to build exactly the E-Type you want, anything from a faithful restoration to a sympathetic driver with internal upgrades. The downside is also clear: seized engine, not matching-numbers, and the usual hunt for missing bits. But if you’re set up for a full build, the path is straightforward: body and frames first, suspension/brakes/lines, wiring, then engine and trim. Finish it right and you’ll have one of the most beautiful shapes ever put on four wheels—this time, completed to your taste.
Would you bring this Series 1 back to factory-fresh, or lean into a driver-focused rebuild with tasteful upgrades?
Not for the faint of heart nor weak of mind-or money-but when finished if done right it’ll be a stunner.
Obviously being sold by a professional with other interesting projects there in the garage. Their openness speaks many things of their integrity and knowledge IMHO.
Looks like this car was underwater for awhile.
Or under a corrugated roof of a dirt-floor barn with seams that sweat during the hot summer and drip during rainstorms.
Comes with a Georgia registration (no indication how long ago that might have been) and no mention of where the car is currently, attempts to look up the seller, he also gives no information in regards to his/her location, what the heck, it’s only 30K………hard pass
“Located in: Saint Simons Island, Georgia, United States”
Looks like something pulled out of a river after 10 years. Reminds me of this site I come across on reels occasionally where a guy restores old rusty Tonka and Structo toys. If you want to restore it yourself for the fun of it, go.
It looks like a big catfish, from the front.
That fact that a well equipped shop is trying to move it should tell you something. Put enough time and money into it and it could be a nice car. However, that same money could be spent on one that is already well sorted.
The shop probably wants to move it because the only way they’d make a profit out of their time is with someone else’s money.
That OTS would definitely put you On The Scene, albeit slightly more broke.
Some previous owner is an a-hole for letting this beautiful car get into such a sorry state. Probably a teenager had it last.
Sure Cj. Teenagers climb all over these.
Looks like this one was buried with the old owner. Hope they got the embalming fluids out of the upholstery.
It is very complete, but so many of the parts would need to replaced anyway, due to poor condition. All of the chrome is shot, many of the interior bits are probably too far gone. There is more rust hole than metal in the rockers.
Too much for work for me. Even with no rust and serviceable components, the E-Type takes a lot of work to restore, even to driver quality. But I’m sure someone will take it on. To them I say – good luck!
Unrealistic to restore correctly with NOM, as restoration cost would be approx $150K. Prices have max’d on these. After all, they made 50K of themnover their lifetime, so not particularly rare, just quite desireable.
Agreed 100%, this is a parts car at best
I did a peek at Hemmings. You can get a really sharp looking later model E Type convertible for around 80 k or so. However, the earlier covered headlight verions all say “inquire” on the price. If you gotta ask the price… so maybe it is worth restoring, if John’s estimate is accurate.
No thanks. Watch a restoration video on these cars. The number of hidden, inaccessible areas that are rust prone is incredible. With a car like this, you’d be replacing and/or fabricating all sorts of inner body sections just to get it structurally sound.
This is absolutely a restorod/rat Rod opportunity. This car is a representation of an E-type, not a restorable one IMHO. Use the bits that exisit to create a SEMA showcar, a 21st Century E-type. There are enough of the real thing out there to please enthusiasts. I’d say Go For It, Mate!
With as often as these E-Types seem to be showing up, I would most definitely pass on this one unless it was going for $100 because the multiple tens of thousands that would need to go into it makes it just a parts car unless that’s the case. Better to spend more on something that wasn’t fished out of a river than to tackle this one. How does an E-Type get abused like this ?
The first thing I’d do before considering this Jag OTS, is win the next large Powerball.
Definitely been under water, at least for a bit. Remember all the hurricanes that hit Georgia. And salt water is the worst as it destroys wiring as well.
RRUUUFFFFF. Definitely salt air if not also salt water. I have seen (and owned) a few British cars that sat open out in the weather for several years. And I have never seen rusty gauge outer rings. I feel like I need a tetanus shot just looking at the pictures. $30,000????? Really? I don’t think so.
By the looks of conditions with this vehicle, it could bring maybe $5K at the most.
If this was sent out for a restoration you would be looking at $120K – $150K. It would have to be an owner project to keep this project above water, and that owner would need to be a real pro with all aspects of the restoration.