Judging by how many Jaguar “barn finds” come to market, it would seem that the world has an endless supply of them.
The Pick of the Day is yet another one, a 1967 Jaguar XK-E 4.2 Series 1 coupe described as being complete and solid by the Astoria, New York, dealer advertising the car on ClassicCars.com.
The Jaguar looks to be presented as-found after four decades of slumber and in reasonably straight condition, ready for someone to dump dollars into a total restoration. Or else preserve its long-term patina.
“This 1967 Jaguar XKE 4.2 Series I Coupe is a matching-numbers car and the ideal example for straightforward restoration,” according to the ad. “This car has an excellent body with just one repaint and is very solid with a clean undercarriage.
“Honest unrestored cars are getting harder and harder to find with each passing day, and this highly coveted Series I E-type coupe has been sitting for the last 40 years awaiting its next loving caretaker.”
While experienced car people might scoff at the idea of a “straightforward restoration,” this coupe does appear to represent a good starting point for bringing a desirable and valuable sports car back to life.
The 1967 model year is a sweet spot for just about all British cars because it was the last year that they retained their purity of design before US DOT rules stepped in. In the case of a ’67 E-type, that means toggle switches on the dashboard, original body trim and unmitigated performance from the classic DOHC straight-6 engine.
Everybody knows the story of Enzo Ferrari calling the original E-type something along the lines of the world’s most-beautiful car, which was quite the ironic concession. The E-type’s inherent beauty and desirability is what makes it seem so evocative as a musty, unrestored, presumably non-running relic. It will be up to the next owner to decide whether to preserve or restore.
The asking price might seem high at $59,900 until you consider that excellent examples of these Jaguars can go as high as three times that much, making a total resto a viable alternative without go too deep under water.
Maybe the plan could be just to get it running and driving, and keep it looking like a ghost from the past.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
be VERY VERY CAREFUL….some dealers will sell a flood car, a junk car, a totaled car from NY model pre 1975…..don’t need titles on cars built before 1975….let the buyer beware and do your homework !
I seen one just like this one in east alton ,ill.,in the 70’s inperfit shape I I could afford one I would have boughten yours and a new one convertible blue /w/white interior
That dealer in Astoria is ridiculous in his pricing, not a fan at all !!!!!
Nice looking car. I’ve always wanted one, but no way one in a "restorable" condition is worth $59K and anyone asking three times that for a restored coupe is going to wait a long time for a fool and his money to be parted.
The roadsters look to be fetching $100K+, or at least that’s the asking price. Coupes can be found in decent home restored or running driver shape for less than the $59K.
Posting cars with this unrealistic asking price just makes it harder for us normal (unrich) guys to purchase one.
Barn finds are still out there. I just pulled out five cars that had been stored for more than 40 years. Chrysler 300D Oldsmobile 88 fastback coupe 1950, Chrysler Imperial and two 57 Chevys. Actually, had an agreement to go have a look at a Jaguar XKE, when the owner call me to say someone had seen it that very morning before I got there and bought it.
I purchased a Series I in very similar condition (matching numbers etc.) for $22,000 last year. I have seen a number of nice Series I coupes for <$90K.