Major Restoration: 1972 Jaguar E-Type 2+2
Many high-performance models from the 1960s evolved into “softer” vehicles as the 1970s unrolled before them. Jaguar’s E-Type was no exception. Early vehicles were genuine sports cars that offered class-leading performance. However, ongoing development made them more akin to Grand Tourers. This 1972 E-Type 2+2 provides a perfect example of that trend. It features the range-topping V12 powerplant, but its automatic transmission and factory air conditioning are features many potential buyers would never have envisaged when the company unveiled the original car to great acclaim. It requires a total restoration, although it could prove a significant undertaking. The 2+2 is listed here on Craigslist in Mechanicsville, Virginia. The seller set their price at $15,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Chuck F for spotting this iconic British classic.
Jaguar offered E-Type buyers the choice of thirty-five paint shades during the car’s production life, but only British Racing Green and Black could be ordered during all model years. This car wears the former, and it has undoubtedly seen better days. The seller assures us the car is essentially complete, with the only identified missing part being the fuel tank. The photos indicate the new owner will face little choice but to tackle this as a nut-and-bolt restoration because significant rust requires attention. It is visible in the doors, floors, and the inner front fender wells. The limited photos make it impossible to determine whether there is further external rust. History demonstrates there will probably be more in the rear pan and valance, and it may also have developed around the rear hatch opening. The state of the sub-frame is unclear, but plenty of heavy surface corrosion is visible on the exposed surfaces. The trim and wire wheels will probably require restoration, but the glass looks acceptable for a driver-grade build.
Jaguar launched the E-Type in 1961 as a sports car capable of hitting 150mph. The drivetrain evolved throughout the car’s production life, with the six-cylinder powerplant’s capacity increasing from 3.8-liters to 4.2-liters in 1964 and the 5.3-liter V12 joining the range in 1971 with the release of the Series 3 variant. This E-type features that motor, backed by the optional three-speed automatic transmission that joined the fray with the V12. This car’s power steering provides another indication of the E-Type’s evolving nature, making the driving experience less physical. The V12 would have produced 276hp and 304 ft/lbs of torque in its prime. The company still quoted a top speed of 150mph, although some journalists doubted that unverified claim. The seller states this 2+2 doesn’t run but provides no further information on its history or mechanical health. Revival may be possible with minimum effort if the engine turns, but budgeting for a complete drivetrain refresh would be wise.
The supplied photos are limited, but they suggest the original owner ordered this E-Type with its interior trimmed in Black leather. It appears that everything is present. However, it is another aspect of the car requiring total restoration. Kits are available to return the interior to a factory-fresh state, although the price is pretty eye-watering. The new owner must have at least $6,500 in their wallet to make this interior shine like a new penny. The original owner ordered this car with air conditioning, and while the system appears intact, it will undoubtedly require TLC to blow cold.
There is probably no such thing as an undesirable derivative of the Jaguar E-Type, but this 1972 2+2 would rate amongst the least coveted. That doesn’t make it worthless. It simply means that it is unlikely to follow the trend of some that command six-figure sums once restored. A value above $60,000 is possible if the new owner achieves perfection on a faithful restoration. However, I’ll temper that by pointing out that there have been recent sales for tidy examples for barely more than half that figure. That makes it a risky proposition, but the same is true of many classic projects. Would you roll the dice on this Jag, or will you leave it for someone else to tackle?
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Comments
As a old guy the automatic, air conditioned, V12 doesn’t bother me like it would have 40 years ago, but living in upside downville does.
Having restored an earlier model I can say I wouldn’t recommend this car to my worst enemy. Never worked on a restoration so difficult. Even worse than the 1952 Mercedes convertible with all the wood body panel supports. Adam said it right at the end of his write up.
I’ll pass.Can you say money pit? Always liked the body style as a kid. The only thing dependable in this car is the TH400 trans.
Jag didn’t use the th400 until a few years into the XJSV12. This car has a Borg Warner unit with a power sapping torque converter.
The V12 engine is extremely reliable once properly tuned. I’ve had a few and still own one.
The only way I can think that this would be worth restoring would be to get it for free. Even then I would say no thanks. Just too far gone to save. I think you would have to spend more to restore it than you could sell it for when you were finished. What’s the point? Maybe a parts car?
There were no “2+2” Series 3 E-types. That moniker was used in earlier versions to distinguish between the 2 seat coupe and the longer wheelbase (and higher roofline) 2+2 coupes. All Series 3 coupes had the tiny back seat.
I hate to see cars like this, at one time the most beautiful Cars in the world per Mr. Ferrari, allowed to rot, when just keeping them garaged and driven once in awhile would have kept them in restorable condition. Shame on the previous owner(s).
For dying?
For neglect. Takes so little to keep a car rust free and working.keep it in a garage and drive it once in awhile.
Good one 👍 Mike.
Kurt
gotta tell ya. When my 100% rust free 69 2+2 was burned in a house fire, I drilled a couple of holes in the floor just to make sure there would never be any standing water to rust the car out before I could try and begin the restoration. Well, it took a couple of years before I was ready to start and when I pulled all the tarps and covers away, I was staring at a rust bucket. The water that the rural fire dept used must have come from a totally alkali well. While there was no way standing water could be present, the sills had rusted through in several places where they meet the floor pans and the rockers were starting to look nasty. All from just them putting out the house fire two years prior. So my plan to date is to find another good 2+2 shell, transfer all my running gear (fire only burned the car down to the belt-line plus gutted the interior – all suspension/etc is fine) and start the resto from there. But sometimes, the rust is just dang hard to avoid no matter how good the intentions.
Be glad this is a carb version. As an “oh by the way”, see that GM ac compressor in the valley? Don’t even think about running this car without it. On later injected models, Jaguar uses the ac to cool the fuel prior to injection. I don’t remember if the fuel for the carb versions goes through a cooling manifold as well, but if it doesn’t you’ll want it to. Which is another reason these get/got poor mileage – the ac running all the time.
Wow, reading all these comments with the GM parts makes this seem even worse. The old ones seemed to spend 3 days in the shop for every 1 on the road according to friends I know who had them. After seeing a phenolic surface bearing being used as a throwout bearing on an MG, I decided a british car will never be in my future. Add positive ground electrical fun, if they had it, and NO.
There’s some cranky old guy down in Texas that offers Chevy small block conversions for these old Jag’s. This would be a perfect candidate.
Still pretty rusty. $$$$$$ for metal work. $$$$$$$ for paint. $$$$$$$$$ for EVERYTHING else = financial black hole.
5.3 Liter Jaguar V-12’s are overbuilt as hell and bulletproof as they get once setup. Thirsty though. My brother has 4 Jag V-12 vehicles, including an XJ-13 replica on a full blown aluminum racing chassis. There is rarely, if ever a reason to lump a Jag with an Anerican V8, unless you like that sort of thing.Does nothing for the cars resale value and essentially ruins the entire character of the car, IMO.