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Stored For 37 Years: 1962 Jaguar E-Type

The next owner of this 1962 Jaguar E-Type faces an interesting dilemma. Do they restore the car to its original specifications, or do they complete the transformation of the car into the iconic E2A, a car that shaped the actual E-Type, and a car that came so close to success at LeMans? The Jaguar is located in Oceanside, California, and is listed for sale here on eBay. With a BIN price of $99,000, or the option to make an offer, this is going to be a tough decision to make.

The body of the Jaguar looks to be nice and solid. It has spent around 37-years in storage, and this has taken a bit of a toll. However, it isn’t as bad as it could be. Some of the panel joints have opened up a bit, and it will probably be a case of stripping the car right down to get it right again. The aerodynamic addition behind the driver’s seat as a nod to the D-Type, which was no longer eligible for LeMans competition in its original form by the time the E2A saw the light of day. The aerodynamic work paid dividends at LeMans in 1960, with E2A being clocked as the fastest car down the famous Mulsanne Straight.

The interior of the Jaguar is complete but features quite a few parts that would not have been part of either a new E-Type or of E2A. The most obvious of these is the console and the dash trim. To finish the transformation into an E2A replica, much of the interior trim would need to be removed. To return the car to original, many replacement interior parts would need to be sourced. It is also worth noting that with none of the original items included with the car, the new owner will be faced with a pretty lengthy, not to mention expensive shopping list of parts.

It shouldn’t be any sort of surprise to learn that after 37-years in mothballs, there is going to be a lengthy list of work required to breathe new life into the Jaguar. The owner states that it will need all of the usual work such as a full service, new tires, and probably brake work before it could safely be driven. I would certainly be giving the car a very thorough check before I ventured onto the road because the last thing that you want is an accident caused by some form of mechanical failure. The biggest area where this Jaguar differs from E2A as a racing car is in the engine department, with that car employing an all-alloy 3-liter engine to achieve a top speed of 194mph.

The original E2A prototype is an amazing vehicle, and it was a car that sold at auction back in 2016 for a cool $4,957,000. This car isn’t worth that sort of money, but an immaculately restored example can still command prices of around $200,000. Enzo Ferrari once described the Jaguar E-Type Roadster as the most beautiful car ever made, and this is one thing that I do agree with. To my mind, creating a replica of E2A will add nothing positive to the car’s value but will actually devalue it. It is a car that deserves to be returned to its former glory for two distinct reasons. Firstly, they are a beautiful car, and secondly, they are a car that will continue to increase in value and desirability. That should make this a worthwhile project.

Comments

  1. Avatar bull

    “To my mind, creating a replica of E2A will add nothing positive to the car’s value but will actually devalue it. It is a car that deserves to be returned to its former glory for two distinct reasons. Firstly, they are a beautiful car, and secondly, they are a car that will continue to increase in value and desirability. That should make this a worthwhile project.”

    I totally DISAGREE with this above statement!

    The car looks much better the way it is than a “Stock” E type.

    Git it runnin and drive the Hell out of it the way it is!

    Restore this car and it’s just another over-restored never driven E Type Jag!

    This is one of those albeit rare situations were it’s NOT all about the money, rarity or originality is about the DRIVE!

    Like 15
    • Avatar Jeepster

      what bull said …add some period style number roundels drive the carp out of it

      Like 3
  2. Avatar Tom Member

    I am out of my league on this one. Not sure if you pay $100K for a car that needs another $100K (or more) that it will be worth more than $200 – 250K when you are done no, matter which way you go with it….or which of the ways would command more money if restored and sold.

    Now, if you clone a small block 69 Camaro into a YENKO, or even an RS//SS car they WILL command more money than restoring it back to a base model small block 69 Camaro. Not sure if this Jaguar works that way or not?

    Like 3
  3. Avatar AF

    We’ve seen this one here before :
    https://barnfinds.com/e2a-replica-1962-jaguar-e-type/

    Like 4
  4. Avatar mike b

    Sort mechanicals and drive it. Especially at night to really mess with people’s perception of “yeah, I saw an old race car on Palms to Pines last night”.

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Kevin Harper

    Oh please can we give the Enzo a quote. Given his personality and everything that was going on at Ferrari in 1961, this quote is a fantasy. Let the E-type stand on its on merits. It is a good looking car, it was a great value, but in truth it is ungainly from a lot of angles, and quit compensating.

    Like 2
  6. Avatar JOHN Member

    Correct or not, get it mechanically sorted out and drive it, have fun with it, let little kids sit in it! You can enjoy it while you collect parts to return it to stock and be afraid to drive it…

    Like 3
  7. Avatar Jack Hammer

    $20k. Maybe.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Paul Dale

    I do love the look of these in stock form, but the hump really does improve the visual impact of this car. I agree that restoring this to original spec would just make it ‘yet another E-type, so leave it as is, make it drive-able and just live with it for a year or so. Keeping the hump makes me think the car needs the small cockpit windscreen to balance it out. Oh, and a nicer colour!

    Like 3
  9. Avatar hank rice

    …although I have owned a couple of these (a 64 coupe and a 70 roadster) and do love them and wish I had them back, an old saying does come to mind and that being, “a fool and his money are soon parted”…this is a ridiculous price for what is here…IMHO…I agree with $20,000 or maybe $30,000 at the absolute max…

    Like 1
  10. Avatar Coventrycat

    Love that “Olde English Car Wood Dash Kit” from Home Depot.

    Like 2
  11. Avatar Santa Fe Steve

    I can’t imagine pulling anywhere close to $99K for this car. A price of $20K or even $30K might me a bit low but $45K would be top money IMHO. A new owner would be grappling with a number of unknowns, many of them costly work (engine and/or trans rebuild is required). I have never seen one of these dash wood kits, ever. Has anyone else. I think it would fit the character of the car to have nicely machined aluminum.

    Like 2
  12. Avatar Carl Hutchins

    Yeah, an “undo” seems impractical and counter productive.

    All alloy engine?? Perhaps, I’m a bit skeptical.

    But, clearly those old truck or trailer tail lights gotta go!!!!! Whew, not elegant for an elegant car!!!

    Like 1
  13. Avatar stingroyer Member

    This car has been for sale for a long time in it’s current condition. The original E2A was right hand drive, so it’s not that true to it’s namesake. Get if for a lot less than the asking price, get it running and drive the crap out of it! It looks cool as it is.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Paul Oberman

    My friend has 1962 convertible, completely painted, ready for reassembly. Matching numbers rebuilt motor. You could get it for 125k.

    Not sure why you would would buy this for 100k.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar LunarDog

    On here less than a year ago

    Like 0

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