Parked For A Decade: 1972 Jaguar E-Type
This 1972 Jaguar E-Type 2+2 has spent its entire life in a climate-controlled garage and has only recently emerged following a decade-long hibernation. It is a solid and complete car but will require some work before it is ready to return to the road again. It is located in Southampton, New York, and is listed for sale here on eBay. The auction on the Jag is set to open at $19,995 with No Reserve. While there have been no bids to this point, there are currently 99 people who are watching the listing.
One of the greatest enemies of an E-Type is rust, but it appears that the storage conditions for this one must have been close to ideal, as this doesn’t look to be an issue. The Ascot Fawn paint that graces the flanks of the car actually doesn’t look to be too bad, and I think that it would respond quite nicely to a polish. The external trim and chrome also look to be quite good, while there are no indications of any corrosion on those fabulous wire wheels.
Compared to the exterior condition, the interior is a bit of a disappointment. There is going to be some restoration work required, but there is no real reason why the interior couldn’t be used as it is on a short-term basis. The dash pad is cracked, while new carpet and new covers for the seats will be on the shopping list. A few of the switches and their surrounds on the dash are looking a bit ordinary, but at least the interior doesn’t look like it has been modified in any way. One nice little bonus is that this Jag has been fitted with air conditioning, which should make life more comfortable on those scorching Summer days.
By 1972, the E-Type was only available with the 5,343cc V12 engine, although there was a choice between a 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission. This car features the manual unit, which sends the V12’s 272hp to the rear wheels. Power steering and power 4-wheel disc brakes were standard fare on an E-Type by this point in time. After a decade of inactivity, there will be some refurbishment work required before this car is ready to hit the road again. Having said that, the owner has managed to coax the V12 back to life, although he does say that the fuel system is in need of a good clean. At least that’s a starting point, although there will probably be other work required, including basic servicing and a thorough check of areas such as the brakes before the car can be pointed at the road.
One thing that we become very used to with Jaguar E-Type projects is to see them for sale at some truly outrageous prices. Many of those cars require major rust repairs before they could even be close to being road-ready. This particular car appears to be different, because not only does the price appear to be quite reasonable, but it seems as though it has also survived well, with no obvious rust issues. Those two factors might make this Jag a really good prospect for the potential new owner.
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Comments
Apart from the rear door not appearing to fit very well, as I believe the door opens from the passenger side, all looks to be great. Lucky new owner coming up.
Hi Ken,
No, the rear door doesn’t fit at all. If it was open, the door would sit high on the right side of the body instead of the left. I wonder if it was hit in the rear?
I Also wonder about the rust on the bumpers and under the hood if its always been in a climate control garage.
For having so few miles on it (under 50,000) the interior is in rough shape, the seats should be in much better shape than they are.
The V12 engines are known for the exhaust valve seats dropping (coming loose). This can make a real mess of the cylinder head.
I would want picture with the carpet removed, they just lift out, and get it up on a hoist for pictures.
Did they have valve seat issues or tappet sleeve issues? I worked for Jaguar many years ago and we had exhaust tappets that would work their way up and the camshaft would take the side off the tappet sleeve.
There are no picture of the bottom of the car and rust in the door jam and air cleaners. Rust in the air cleaners scares me to death. It’s looks ok from 5 feet but I’d look this one over very carefully.
What? No electrical problems? Come on!
Tracy,
The V12 had the valve seat problem and as far as I know it was the six cylinders that had the exhaust tappet problem.
When Jaguar took the Etype Coupe and designed the 2+2 they must have been on drugs.
I’m sorry y’all but to me an E-Type 2+2 is only worth the parts you can use to fix up a coupe or convertible. As gorgeous as the coupe and ragtops are the 2+2 is just butt-ugly.
The value of any car is what one is willing to pay! ALL E-Types bring good money! Opinions are important but do not determine the REAL value of the car! BTW, the 2+2 sold exceptional well when new!
There are a few million people out there that don’t agree with your comment SirLurx, and it’s nowhere near as ugly as most of the American cars of the seventies IMO.
Sold for $26,000.
Jeez, sounds like a smoking deal.