Here’s something you don’t see every day, but that I saw twice in one day—an old Jaguar that’s been in a dry-climate garage for decades now emerging. It’s the case with this 1964 Jaguar E-Type, for sale here on ebay. And it was the case for some other lucky person, as I saw a car very much like the E-Type rolling along an LA-area freeway exactly today (see photo below). How do you figure that? Well, the one that’s advertised can be yours, and you’ve got five days to make it so. You just have to push the current $30,100 bid up a bit. There’s no mention of a reserve, so if you’re the last one standing, you win. You’ll then trailer the car home from what looks to be suburban Los Angeles but is in fact the “OC” (Orange County).
What will you then have? Let’s call it a “pre-enjoyed” Jaguar. Most British cars, fine as they are and fancy, aren’t known for super longevity, but this one has travelled over 130K miles (though the ad also says 33K, no “1” prefix), most with its second owner, who has had it since 1968. It looks like he drove the heck out of the car in the first ten years he had it. It hasn’t been stickered as registered since 1977. The 3.8-liter engine is not running, but it is complete down to the SU carbs, and it’s backed up with a four-speed. The car also has the original tool kit, a nice addition.
The Jag has seen some changes over the years, including a color shift from white to silver blue. That doesn’t much matter at this point, as the paint has deteriorated and surface rust is starting to assert itself. You’ll need to do a strip and repaint, obviously, to make this one look showroom fresh. What else will you be spending money (or time, if you have restoration expertise) on? Getting the wire wheels back in shape, all the rubber and weather stripping, lots of components that don’t like sitting (like the cooling system), and more. The question is, where’s the value proposition here?
There are cars in the market with paint all done at around $40K, and of course, perfect ones topping out near $100 grand. You’re probably going to be above that former number pretty fast, but that doesn’t count the romance of taking a car that’s been preserved in a single garage since, as is noted in the listing, Elvis was alive, and making it whole again. Just think how happy the original owner, pictured in the ad, will be to see a photo of his baby come back to life after your restoration work is done! And that’s only the start–then you get to enjoy it.
When I see rusty spoke wheels on a car I think “what else has been neglected on this car”? Any way you look at it the words “upside down” pop into mind on this car.
I’d do the mechanicals. ScotchBrite the bare spots. Prime them and enjoy. My wife’s next husband can spring for the rest after I’m pushing daisies.
That’s a good attitude! You are truly an “Old beach Guy”
Cheers!
Original owner? Only if he bought it when he was four years old. I’m not saying the dude in the shot hasn’t had it for a long time, but to say it has been in that particular garage for 46 years, that is a stretch. Why would you park a desirable only 13 year old car at the time? The story doesn’t add up to me. Still, a beautiful ride. Wish I could afford a restored one like it.
In the 1970’s you could by these cars for under $1000. I know because I bought several (65 ots $135, 66 ots $1000, 67 2+2 $600, 69 fhc $1800), so this car had little dollar value and if it wasn’t operating properly it makes perfect sense to park it. Besides a new SL was a thing.
Danny,
I have to agree with you. I bought a “63 without a bonnet and a locked up engine, wires etc. for $500 in “75 with a great body. I stored it at my brother garage while I was finishing up with another car at my house. In the meantime I got transferred to Mobile and the company would only move one car so my “66 Vette coupe got the nod on that. After a while I had a number of people wanting to buy the Jag so I finally decided to sell it. I have had a lot of cars over the years but the Jag is the one I most regret selling.
Bill
Something tells me he parked the Jag, when he truly “drove the heck” out of it. I’ll bet the engine is toast.
Brian K.: you say that cars like this “aren’t known for super longevity…”. It is easy to say that when looking at rusty old neglected cars that have been sitting in storage for decades or left outside at the mercy the elements. My ’69 E Type roadster has had five careful, mature owners who have taken really good care of it, and it is in close to new condition. The clutch has been re-done but neither the engine nor the gearbox have ever been rebuilt. Over 90 % of the paint is original (the balance carefully matched). The leather has a few mild, inevitable wrinkles but is in nice, supple presentable shape. When serviced correctly and competently, while not inflicting callous abuse on them, these cars are durable and stand the test of time. Everyone thinks I restored this fifty-four year-old E Type!
I’ll bet that “James” the owner since ’68 is really happy with this seller, who claims to have been in touch with him since he first spotted the car in his garage 15 years ago. “James” probably thought he was selling his prized possession to someone who was going to love it as much as he did.
Instead, his 15 year “friend” is flipping it.