Most of the time, I am not impressed with attempts to make vehicles look old, or rusty, or covered in fake patina. But this – well, this is pretty darn cool. It’s a 1974 Jaguar E-Type Series III coupe, which is a vehicle we typically see treated to a world-class restoration and wiped nightly with a diaper cloth. This is not that sort of build, and the “restomod” treatment works shockingly well. I make no claims as to the quality of the work otherwise, but it’s always fun to see someone try something completely unexpected. Find the E-Type here on Facebook Marketplace for $32,500.

Usually, when someone attempts a project like this, we’re let down by the work underneath – and that’s a part of the build that sends the strongest message about the commitment to quality. In other words, if you’re going to leave the topside looking like it hasn’t been washed in 10 years, the mechanical bits better be exceptional. From what we can see in the listing, it would appear the seller took this path and also paid attention to the interior as well. However, let’s clear something up right away: this isn’t a case of fake patina, as the rough patches reflect the previous owner’s attempt at prepping the body for paint; according to the listing, he simply didn’t finish the cosmetic restoration.

The interior is a wonderful place to spend time in an E-Type, but especially when it has been restored as this one has. The red leather certainly looks high quality, and the fitment appears fairly tight as well. The E-Type instrument panel is one of the best in the business, but we’re accustomed to seeing an automatic in the center console, owing to the car’s reputation for grand touring. Seeing a manual gearbox bolted to a V12 from a later XJS just makes our hearts all kinds of happy, and factoring in the somewhat easier-to-live-with engine swap makes this E-Type even more appealing. The seller notes some minor finish work needed to consider the cockpit “done.”

You owe it yourself to look at the photos of the underside. Wow – what a build! Some of the upgrades beyond the modern engine transplant include “…Wilwood brakes front and rear, fresh rotors, new bushings, control arms, linkages, and extensive detailed paintwork.” The underside looks spectacular, with chassis components that appear clean enough to eat off of. The seller considers that car mostly there with some finish work to both the cosmetic and mechanics that will make it a turnkey driver. We hope that is the case, as this E-Type looks like a great way to drive the doors off a classic British GT car and raise some eyebrows at the local Concours event.