When I first saw this 1962 Jaguar E-Type my heart ached more than a bit. The first E-Type that I ever drove was a Series 1 finished in Carmen Red, and it was an amazing experience that I’ve never forgotten. This 1962 Jaguar is a long way removed from that car, and it will require a very dedicated individual with a very healthy wallet to return it to its glory days. If you are that person, then the car is located in Hanover, Massachusetts, and is listed for sale here on eBay.
As you gaze at this pile of tortured and rusty metal, it is hard to believe that it rolled off the production line finished in beautiful Opalescent Silver Blue. At some point, someone has made the decision to repaint the car in what appears to be British Racing Green. Worse still, the overall appearance and condition of the car suggests that it may have spent at least some time either under water, or at least heavily exposed to the elements or salty roads. There is rust absolutely everywhere on the car, and it would probably be easier to list the components that haven’t been affected, and that would be the glass. The car is essentially complete, with only a few items such as the front bumper missing.
Continuing the trend set by the exterior of the car, the interior is just as bad, if not, worse, than the outside. It does look like the car may have been reupholstered at some point, as the visible material is tan, while the Jaguar Heritage Trust documentation indicates that the car left the factory fitted with black trim. The harsh reality is that there is virtually nothing here that could be salvaged. A look at the metal rings on the instruments reinforces my belief that this car has spent some time submerged somewhere.
The 3.8 liter E-Type is considered by many to be the car in its purest form. That engine was capable of propelling the car to a top speed of 150mph, although that claim has always been open to a certain level of conjecture. This Jaguar is still home to its numbers-matching 3.8-liter engine and manual transmission. The owner indicates that the car rolls and steers, but provide no information about the state of these components. Given the overall state of the rest of the car, I think that it would be wise to brace yourself for the worst. Still, we can always live in hope.
The owner of this 1962 Jaguar E-Type has set the opening bid for the car at $28,500. You probably won’t be surprised to learn that there are currently no bids on the car. This is no slight on the car or the seller. It is going to take a very special and specific individual to take on this restoration project. There is basically nothing here that will not need to be restored, refurbished, or replaced. However, don’t write this one off just yet. The 3.8 Series 1 E-Type is the single most sought-after version of the car, and values have climbed significantly over the past 10 years, and this trend shows no sign of changing at any time soon. An immaculate one will command prices around $200,000. That could make this a viable project car for the right person.
It’s all that’s left, folks. I’d need an ice pack to head before I spent that on this, but in a hypothetical world, wouldn’t it be fun, getting this drivable, leave it as is, and cruise into Pebble Beach with the crowd aghast,, “HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW?”
RARE SUNROOF MODEL? Looking at the eBay photos, I spied a sunroof on this car! Could it be the only E-Type Coupe with a factory prototype sunroof? If so, it was not noted on the Heritage Certificate. But the desirable sunroof on a car without A/C should be worth another $10K, at least.
Read more at https://barnfinds.com/the-most-desirable-1962-jaguar-e-type/#7auCG7uZLB7EYwad.99
To restore this would mean that the finished car would have almost nothing left of its original self. It would be like building an e type from scratch. The price is outrageous and only a fool would pay it, it isn’t even a parts car any more, its a smouldering pile of horse crap. I’m pretty sure there are better ones out there here for this much money that are restorable. My vote would be to crush it, its all used up.
… putting lie to the phrase “essentially complete”. Crush it.
I think you could crush it in the driveway with a rolling pin. Ridiculous.
I purchased a DVD showing an Austin-Healey that was found in a UK field, where most of everything below the beltline was rust. After a lot of money spent, it ended up winning the top concours prize at the international Austin-Healey meet.
I too would go the “find a non-rusty one” route (which I did), but for some reason, early E-Types are worth big bucks, even though a mid 60’s version is a more sorted and better engineered, reliable car. Rust is expensive… to deal with. Been there, done that!
I agree with Adam, this car had to have spent sometime under water. I’ve seen a lot of rotten cars but to see the speedometer bezels rotted out takes the cake. Good luck trying to get 28 large for this pile of oxide.
Cheers
GPC
I agree, it looks like they pulled this thing up off the bottom of lake after many years in a watery grave.
Yup, they pulled it up with a fisherman’s net…remnants are still visible on the passenger side headlamp cover.
From the description:
“The car steers and rolls and it is 98% complete.”
98% complete? If you factor in the metal that’s missing because it has rusted away I think that 98% number overstates how complete this car is.
“Great candidate for restoration”
If this is a “great” candidate I’d hate to see a “poor” candidate for restoration. I don’t think there’s enough integrity in the structure of this car to allow even a good metal man to get all the new panels it will require lined up properly so that doors will fit and close properly, etc, etc.
I think the seller has been watching too many episodes of ‘Million Dollar Car Ferrets’… ;-)
I like Howard’s idea of taking it to Pebble Beach, as is. Perhaps it could compete in Best Unrestored Sports Car?
How about “Worst Unrestored Sports Car ” ??
Growing up here in Massachusetts. I can say that I’ve seen great cars like this E-Type become early victims of the harsh winters and road salt over the years. In opening the bid on the car at $28,500, the seller is asking for the moon. He’ll be lucky if there any useable parts left on the car that he can sell.
Like the story of George Washington’s father’s ax, all you have to do is replace all the metal parts, all the glass, all the fabric, all the rubber, all the wiring and electrical components, all the wood and carpets, the engine and drivetrain, all the plastic and the fluids, and you’ll have a Concourse winner. This is a great starting point for a miserable experience.
I really like the simulated concrete floormats. NIce touch!
So sad, sad, sad. Let’s face it, what we need as prospective owners is to find cars that have been babied by their long-term original owners, like mine was up until he sold it in late 2006. He kept her in his heated New Jersey under-house garage and as a result there is no rust. I normally wouldn’t touch a rust-belt car and instead run the other way, but I sure am glad that I didn’t with my 4.2 Coupe.
Just sad, so sad…
Hey-you gotta have a dream…
Yeah, Fred Flintstone’s dream… the Titanic has more metal left than this thing.
I’m speechless. Literally speechless.
worth $28.50 ….. maybe ?
I had a nightmare once that I bought a car like this. I woke up sweating and screaming. I think I wet the bed.
Saw this same car for sale on the Barnacle Finds website.
Ha!
What’s the matter with people who treat things like this?
Lock your E Types up .. $28k is for the vin plate and reg document?
British company that makes complete bodies. $50k
I know lots of money/time/heartache/originality etc…but if you must:
http://car-from-uk.com/sale.php?id=220048&country=uk
https://www.martinrobey.com/downloads/BODYSHELL.pdf
The high water mark for these 62’s is deep into the 6 figures so I can understand why the seller is asking what he is for this one.
I don’t agree…but I understand
True, but it does need six figures spent on it?
I do agree with you though.
Looks like the high water mark on this one is somewhere near the top of the cowl. Sorry, couldn’t resist. Lol
I helped restore an early Series 2 XKE way back in 88-89 when these cars got hot and Japanese buyers were going crazy buying everything they could: Buildings, cars, race tracks (Texas World Speedway was one) and so on.
The car we restored had in fact been in a flood and besides needing new paint, rechrome of everything, new wiring and everything electrical the engine’s pistons had rusted themselves to the cores. As it was a numbers matching car we tried every trick and bizarre trick we could to get the pistons out with no luck. The solution was taking the bare block with pistons and rods hanging to a machinist who built a fixture and machined the pistons out from the top down.
Then a regular engine building machine shop bored the block and sleeved it and the thing was good as new. The car in question needed floors as they had small holes and the rockers had soft spots, but nothing like this Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Those were heady days, I bought a ’66 911 in pieces for $600. Complete but it was as apart as the GTV featured. Thought I made a killing when I sold it for $2500 within a week…..same time frame I was offered a running, driving but rusty MB 190 convertible for $800 and passed on it. Oh to be 24 and dumb again! :)
oh here we go again. come on you patina haters, get over it.
Don’t think the price is too far off, considering the seller. I bought an XJ6 from this man (or his brother) 20 years ago when he was still operating out of his house. I don’t doubt for a second he’s sold 200 E-types. Yes that’s top dollar but he’s not on wrong planet. He’ll get $25k.
Never purchase rust. Always tell the seller that you are paying for metal and not rust. Rust is a good bargaining chip and so is metal.
Buy metal cars before starting resto work. It saves time and time saves money.
I’ll bid no thanks at any price given every body panel is toast.
Parts car pricing should be applicable here given that it was probably stored in the weeds behind some barn and not in a barn. Even the windshield has to be replaced.
A pressure washer would work well for appearance too, bub.
A pressure washer might blow most of it away.
Lets look at it from a different perspective. People often pay six figures for a painting by an unknown artist. Said art, could be named “air,” “dream, ” or maybe “breathe.” That being said, this art piece is named “rust,” by the artist named Jaguar. So there you have it, $28k art installation in your basement or foyer.
Burying this thing in a clear plastic cube could do the trick and make it a neat art piece. Bit more than a paper weight, but outside next to the pool it would be quite a conversation piece.
Rolls and steers? I surprised it doesn’t fold and collapse.
Just shows what kind of car it was, for it to bring this kind of money in such dilapidated condition. It’s certainly not junk, it is a rolling XKE, and one has no business with one of these while collecting Social Security. In the Jag circle, I suppose it is worth it. I’m confident, somebody with deep pockets will fix this.
Except asking price doesn’t dictate true value. People ask for the moon and end up getting not even a friendly phone call. Even a prince in Nigeria that stands to inherit millions pending a few strings hasn’t even shown interest. Outside of our spirited comments here, I would bet there is zero interest from any real buyers.
How on earth can people manage to allow cars to deteriorate to this level? If bought new and parked in an open field, I don’t think it would look this bad today.
Not to sound like “sour grapes”, but thanks to the collectors who don’t know the difference between a crescent wrench and torque wrench, I’ve given up hope of owning another E-Type with prices in the stratosphere. Therefore, I’ll stick to my Triumph GT6 which is not a “baby E-Type”. The E-Type is a larger version of the GT6.
Hahahahahahaha… thank you for this one…would love to see it loaded and then fall apart…If it does sell at that ridiculous price I will be smiling the entire day…
Many years ago, just before I got sent to the jungle, my neighbor had just gotten home from that jungle! When he was driving up his drive my mouth fell wide open, I couldn’t believe it! Ronnie, had a car exactly like this one sent to New York! It was a dark green, I always figured it had something to do with him liking the color of Army fatigues! It was so nice, that when I had to go, I was thinking how I could do the same thing! Just doesn’t work out that way usually! I always suspected his dad had a hand in it too!
Newport beat me to it. MR body shell for $50k, rebuild the drivetrain for another $10-15,000, new interior kit for $6,500 and all the glass and other peripherals for another $10,000. If you do it yourself, you make money. If you have it done, figure another $25,000 and you loose money…right now. Sit on it for 2-3 years and IF the markets continue you’ll break even and have enjoyed the car for a few years.
Oh…but the seller wants $28k+ for starters?…. NOT……
If its a numbers matching drivetrain, it might be worth in the $5,000 to $8,000 range.
It reminds me of the 57 Plymouth time capsule car from Tulsa.
Her name was Miss Belvedere! That’s the car I think that you are referring to!
That was the lowest point of automotive history.
Bob
Screw the car, I want the story. There’s no way it got like that without being submerged in salt water. I’d love to know the backstory on that.
It must have been stored in brine in a pickle factory barn.
Bob
The photos that are posted literally bring me to tears,l can not comprehend how any one can abuse a car like this!
My major concern is the area around the rear suspension assembly.If that is toast,l can not see how you would commence a full restoration without a new monocoque.3.8 litre E-Types,especially the coupes,are very thin on the ground right now.lf someone is willing to take this one on,l will be willing to buy some fine English beer!Hoping that you guys can post an update on this one.
Fine English Beer ?????
98% complete? :)) That’s funny…. who are these guys really….?
The same folks who write the nightly news. I believe it is called “creative writing”.
Greetings All,
Always love those two phrases………”ready to restore” and “everything needs restoration”. They somehow allow the seller to get more and more exasperated when a potential buyer attempts to acertain what exactly are you paying for in this equation under the disguise of “full disclosure”.
Very expensive yard art!
But not my yard art. I could not stand to look at it everyday. A couple of minutes on this forum was enough for me.
Truly sad.