Rust-Free Project: 1969 Jaguar E-Type 2+2
It seems to be a fact of life that most examples of the Jaguar E-Type that we see here at Barn Finds fall into two distinct categories. They can be beautifully restored or preserved classics, or they tend to be project cars riddled with rust. This 1969 2+2 is slightly different. When you look beyond the faded paint and the broken windshield, what you find is a British sports car that appears to be rust-free and a prime candidate for restoration. If that sounds like an attractive proposition, you will find the E-Type located in Santa Rosa, California, and listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $25,000, but there is the option to make an offer.
The E-Type is finished in its original and not-so-imaginatively-named Light Blue. This was a color that was introduced in this model year and remained on the color palette until the end of 1972. The first thing that you will undoubtedly notice is the missing panels. However, this is not an issue because they are present but not attached to the vehicle. The body looks straight, with no evidence of significant dings or dents. The key to this car is probably contained in its location. Classics from California have a fair chance of surviving without rust problems, and this Jag is no exception. The owner supplies photos of the underside, and while there is surface corrosion, there is no evidence of penetrating rust anywhere on the vehicle. That doesn’t mean that it will be a matter of simply slapping on a fresh coat of paint because I believe that a frame-off restoration would be the best path to follow in this case. Given the reputation that these cars have for rust, I would want to eliminate the corrosion before it can get its claws into that British steel. Most of the exterior trim will need restoration or replacement, while the same is true of the wire wheels. The windshield is badly cracked, but the rest of the glass looks okay.
The E-Type is a numbers-matching classic, and the engine bay houses the 4,235cc DOHC 6-cylinder engine that should be capable of producing 266hp. For sports car enthusiasts, that power finds its way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission, rather than the optional 3-speed automatic. The 2+2 didn’t offer quite the performance figures of its 2-seat siblings. This was because it tipped the scales at 3,135lbs versus the regular Hardtop’s 2,912lbs. That extra weight meant that the 2+2 took 15.5 seconds to cover the ¼-mile, while the 2-seater could complete the same journey in 14.9 seconds. A few pieces appear to be missing from this car, so the buyer might need to go hunting. The top of the air cleaner is gone, as are the exhaust manifold and radiator. The seller doesn’t indicate whether the engine turns freely or when the car last ran. It would require a thorough inspection first, but maybe it can be coaxed back to life without resorting to a rebuild. If that is the case, it would be no bad thing. A rebuild can potentially be a costly exercise, and it would help the financial viability of this project if it could be avoided.
The Jag’s interior is trimmed in Black leather, and while it is complete, it will need some work. What can be seen of the leather upholstery seems to be free from wear and rips, but it does look tired. Before I considered searching for replacement pieces, I would be tempted to attack some of it with a high-quality leather conditioner. That approach might soften and rejuvenate it and could save considerable cash during the restoration. There will still be plenty of items on the shopping list, including a headliner and a carpet set. There will also be a few smaller pieces to source, but this might not be that bad. From a positive standpoint, the original owner ordered the E-Type with air conditioning, and the system does appear to be complete.
We probably have a few regular Barn Finds readers who think that I blindly adore the Jaguar E-Type and that I don’t have a bad word to say about them. I admit that I have a huge soft spot for them, but the 2+2 Hardtop would not be at the top of my wish list. However, if I did decide to park one in my workshop, this would be a strong candidate. The engine tips the scales because the later V12 versions were too heavy and too complicated, and they graphically demonstrated that Jaguar had lost their mojo with the E-Type. The other great attraction with this one is its lack of rust. The new owner will not be spending a fortune on rust repairs, which means that many panel and paint tasks could be undertaken in a home workshop. That will probably be a necessity if the project is to remain financially viable. The 2+2 doesn’t command the same sorts of values as the 2-seat examples. However, those with manual transmissions will generally sell for around 10% more than those lumbered with an automatic. Thoroughly and meticulously restored, this one has the capability of selling for more than $50,000, with $65,000 not out of the question on a good day. With that thought in the back of your head, are you tempted to pursue this one further?
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Comments
My Dad bought a ’69 XKE 2+2 brand new in that color and later had it repainted a much darker shade of blue. I was 5 when he got it. Needless to say, this is one of the cars that cemented my status as a gearhead at an early age. Good luck to both seller and buyer in this auction.
I had a 1969 red 2+2. I was disappointed with the car perforence.could not get it over 115 miles per hour.i paid 6500.00 for the brand new car. the pictures of the car brought back members.
odd one Don – must have had a high rear end gearing. I had my 69 2+2 over 150 “back in the day” with a 2.88 rear. There was a long straight stretch On I-35 coming out of downtown Dallas just past the Mockingbird exit up to the Trinity bridge. No entrance ramp so so “interference” from side traffic. I topped the overpass at 100, saw no “interference” and stood on it. Was doing 156 as I went up the incline and onto the bridge. Scared the S*&^ out of me!!!
An unrusty tub is the only attraction here. It looks like a good candidate for a small block Ford for a driver.
Spray can primer over the rust and drop a big smoky Cummins into it. Just for the look of sheer horror people would give you.
The original clown shoe
I bet a 383 stroker could fit under the hood-and add a 7R400 auto, and you’d have a real sleeper as opposed to the many thousands more it would cost to mechanically restore the original engine. Then go ahead and restore the body and interior yourself.
Missing panels? Do you know how complicated an E-type bonnet is? A finished bonnet with all of the correct chrome, heater ducts, inner wheel mud guards, electrics, and little parts can run between $10 and $15K alone… and that’s if you can find one intact. Not a single picture of the ‘missing panels’ leaves me cold and doubtful.
That’s why they’re called “missing”.ie, not there to photograph. But seriously, this guy had big dreams until he did some home work. 25k seems a tad on the high side. Put 35 or 40 into it and get a 50 grand car. I’ll pass Thanks.
put 35-40k into it to have a 35-40k car. Value isn’t there (yet) on a 2+2. Really nice ones sell in the high 30’s to low 40’s. I’ve had my 69 2+2 since July 21, 1975
212 pounds shouldn’t result in a .6 second slower 0-60 time. Maybe .3. Something else is at play.
If a Series 1, 3 carb 4.2 had 265 hp, how does a smog choked, 2 carb have 266? Also it’s difficult to do a frame off restoration on a car without a frame. Unless you mean taking the subframe off the monocoque.
I think by ‘frame off’ we can assume the writer means to disassemble car and put car back together. This frame,no frame bit is getting pretty old
Try restoring the rusted out tub of an E-type and then tell me how this “frame, no frame bit” is getting pretty old. This ain’t grandpa’s 55 Chevy.
Hard to imagine that the economics work on this one at a $25K price point. Since it appears to have been a New Mexico car before being in California, perhaps the rust is minimal. I am constantly amazed at owners that let a car like this one sit out, or get crusty inside. It seems like anyone who owned one of these cars would be enough of an enthusiast to at least keep it cleaned up. Amazing how some folks just park these great cars and forget them.
I have loved Jags ever since I got talked into going to the theater to see Harold and Maude. (What he did to that car should be criminal).
Yeah, whatever happened to that XK-E hearse?
It really was destroyed in the movie. Ken Roberts built a reproduction, and shows it.
How about what happened to the Jag in Vanishing point ?
Had five Jags, 3.4, 3.8 Mk2, XK150-S, 4.2 MkX, 71′ E Type. loved them all. I just completed a museum grade 1/8 E Type scale model. A huge enthusiast. BUT, imho, the E Type 2+2 is an abomination of one of the most beautiful cars ever made. The out of proportion windshield appearance is a travesty only good for crusher food. Clown Shoe is right.
Made it from San Clemente to Anaheim in 20 minutes on the 405 early one morning a long time ago in my white ’69 E-Type 2+2. If you see a YouTube clip of Southern California life in 1987, the cameraman saw me cruising by Big Donut on Normandie one day.
The Jag V-12 is too heavy and complicated? The E-type lost it’s mojo with a V-12???? The author has obviously never worked on one or driven one. The Jag V-12 is a work of art. Having owned a series I coupe (not a 2+2) and a Series III roadster, I can tell you the V-12 offers many improvements including torque, horsepower, and silky smooth revs. I loved my 4.2 coupe, but the V-12 roadster is the best car I’ve ever owned, including 2 (V8) Ferraris.
And I just finished replacing a front main seal, cam cover gaskets, and numerous other “while I’m in theres”, and I can tell you the V-12 is a joy to wrench on!
I was in the Marines in Vietnam in 1969-70, and I could buy an XKE from the Pacex exchange for $4750 with no duty or import taxes, port or entry New York, but did not have that kind of money, so I wrote home and asked my mum to take out a loan for me so I could purchase, but never happened. She thought I had lost control of my senses. The car was a cab/roadster in a sea mist green with tan interior, absolutely magnificent,but not to be. In 2015 I settled for a 2008 Jaguar XK convertible, and while not the same is still quite enjoyable. I had to pist
In the first picture of the car taken from the rear end, the body shows rust from one side to the other just above the bumper. Revive the bumper and you are quite likely to see the need for a complete restoration. Bring your American Express Black card, you’ll need it.