It seems that the world must be filled with abandoned Jaguars waiting to be discovered in barns and garages and then pulled out and sold at auction. Another desirable E-type coupe, an early 1962 model, has been unearthed in the UK and is being offered by Classic Car Auctions at its April 2 sale in Birmingham, England.
The Series 1 coupe has a known history of two British owners, the original one driving the car for 35 years before selling to the subsequent owner in November 1997, according to a news release from the auction house. Repainted white somewhere along the line, the car was originally painted Dark Opalescent Blue with Black trim.
The second owner was reportedly a Jaguar enthusiast who had planned a full restoration of the right-hand-drive coupe when he put it in a barn in preparation for the work to begin. However, those plans never materialized as the owner moved to northern England, leaving the car in possession of his brother. It remained in the barn untouched for 20 years.
Classic Car Auctions notes that the car remains in highly original condition, making it a suitable template for restoration to factory specs. Despite its gnarly condition and vast needs, the Jaguar has a pre-auction estimate of £38,000 to £44,000 ($37,000 to $54,000 at the current exchange rate).
“Now brought out of the barn and into daylight once again, an inspection reveals a genuine ‘barn-find’ example in very original condition, still retaining its rare and original brake system,” the news release says. “Worn paintwork reveals a color change to white with the original Opalescent Blue showing through in some areas, as well as evidence of a replacement bonnet in red.
“Despite missing some glass and the radiator, most of the car is original including the steering wheel and dashboard, all veiled behind a generous layer of dust and detritus.”
Early Series 1 E-types are sought after by collectors for their purity of design and specifications, with auction prices rising in recent years.
“These very early E-types are now highly collectible these days and this example will be a serious project, but one that could be very worthwhile,” Harry Whale, classic car consigner at Classic Car Auctions, said in the news release.
“Last year, the Jaguar E-type Series I experienced very significant growth on the classic car market, and we expect buyers to be queuing up for the chance to own an example just like, ready to give it the TLC it deserves.”
For information about the Practical Classics Restoration and Classic Car Show Sale, visit the auction website.
I would love to take on a project like that, but I simply dont have the time. I grew up with a similar car to this. My granddad owned one and I have been in love with the car ever since!
Back in the eighties my son worked in a Houston shop that specialized in replacing the Jaguar engine with a Chevrolet engine.
I’ve got a manual 73 V12 convertible with wire wheels that’s been sitting in the corner of my shed for the past 20 years. It’s complete and in quite good condition but needs a new exhaust and a new clutch and pressure plate, if anyone’s interested. I believe that I’m the second owner [since 1982].
The principal at my high school in the early sixties in Edmonton Alberta had a 61 or 62 brown XKE. He was 6’6″! And the physics teacher had a red Healey Mark 3. The Jag remains in my memory bank…a true design classic.