2007-05-25 18:34:07 | Lofty writes:

A very nice driver that sees regular use. Apparently a very early special order car, as the original color combination was not offered by the factory.

2007-05-30 08:17:56 | pauls writes:

Ebay item 5/30/07
xkedata.com yielded no other such car.

As an early E-Type, this car has the much sought after flat floors. The bonnet latches are on the inside as the car was built after the changeover. The bonnet does not have welded louvers. I don’t know quite what to make of this. Was the bonnet replaced, or is it from the era when jaguar was building some cars with welded louvers and some with stamped? Either way, it is straight and sumptuous.

The car is currently wearing triple black. Quite handsome (and menacing). It was apparently first painted black some time ago. Under the boot lid one can find old black lacquer paint. In the mid-80s it changed hands and was repainted black. I bought the car from this owner. It has been garage kept for at least the last 25 years.

This early E-Type is a numbers matching car. I can verify the body and engine numbers. I have not tried to verify the transmission number, though believe it to be original based on the previous owner’s knowledge of the car. The engine starts quickly, idles well and runs well. When you start the car it doesn’t have that slow crank and ignition often associated with XK engines. I credit much of this to a Pertronix electronic ignition installed. The car stays very cool at running speeds, but, like most E-Types, doesn’t like to sit for long periods in traffic (though I’ve never had it overheat). The four wheel disc brakes work great, and the rear pads were recently replaced. As this car has inboard rear discs, you can be thankful that job is done.

The suspension and steering are tight. The shocks are all strong, with the rear ones being new.

The interior of the car is in good condition. The original aluminum trim plates are in place on the dash and transmission tunnel. The original steering wheel (can see the metal) is also present and in great shape. The carpets are tired but serviceable. The seats have a couple of nicks, but no tears or cracks. All of this should be amply visible in the photos. The dash is in excellent condition. All gauges work except the clock. One day I will actually see a working E-Type clock.

This car has never been restored. It has been given attention as needed, and never to my knowledge been neglected or left unused for a period of time. The car is a profoundly solid car. This is not to say it has no rot. I would never say that about any E-Type that hadn’t been torn completely apart. And while rebuilding the car from the ground up makes for a wonderful car, it takes away some of that ephemeral “built at the Jaguar factory” quality. Yet most cars will ultimately need such a rebuild as the elements take their toll. This car is not there. The only rot I know of is in the driver floor, and it is not serious enough to need attention. The surrounding bulkheads, sills, and transmission tunnel are solid.

This car is a great driver and is a very reliable, pleasurable, and great looking vehicle. The car is not a concours car. That said, I take it to shows without hesitation. The engine compartment is clean but not detailed. I like driving it too much for that. Due to its early build date and extremely rare original color combination, the car would make a great candidate for a concours restoration. If someone should fully restore it I hope they will at least drive it in pursuit of that infamous E-Type mystique.

2010-04-06 07:58:48 | Edwin writes:

Car is currently for sale in Holland for 36,500 Euro. Engine has had a $ 22,500 full professional rebuild by XK's Unlimited October 2008 and has not driven after.