I haven't even gotten my E-type on the road yet, but that doesn't stop curious people-in-the-know from talking with me about it! I've had 3 people now go out of their way to talk to me about our Jag.

First a little perspective. My father and I co-own a '68 beige 2+2, and we have been working through the summer to get her roadworthy (we bought it with missing parts, no carbs bolted up, no starter, etc, etc). Our workshop is a 1200 square foot building off an alley with homemade airplane hangar doors which we often have open (when we're not making too much noise grinding and working). Since we've both been in quarantine since mid March, working on our E has been an EXCELLENT pass time!

A couple times a week, we remember that food is important while we're obsessing over the work on the car, and order in. Yesterday was one of those days. We ordered pizza for delivery, and continued pluggin' away at the E. When it shows up, I have the guy just drop it off in the open boot of the car. Oh man, did that make this guys' day! It was a middle aged, clearly English gentleman, and he spent the next 20 minutes telling me of his experiences in one as a lad when his mother owned an E fresh from the factory. I could tell he was elated in his reminiscing It clearly brought back fond memories for him, which he shared. Told me he remembers doing 130mph in it once, and he had no doubt it would do 150, and hadn't seen one in person state side since he moved to WA state in the 90's. It felt good since I was feeling a little down after 3 weeks of rust repair O_0

Another time, some weeks prior, I was just getting out to the shop in the wee hours of the morning to start work on the E. I pull into the alley, and nearly the whole length of it is filled with boom trucks for working on powerlines, and everyone is standing around talking with each other from across their truck beds. Well, our workshop is mid block, so I had to back out, go down another street, and enter the alley from the other side to get to our parking lot. Needless to say I had yet to start the coffee, and I was irritated, lol. I pulled open the hangar doors as I typically do, and start working on the car. Almost immediately a fellow from the powerline workers comes over to see the E and talk with me about it. He's never seen one in person, and he was quite taken by the open bonnet Well some minutes later a coworker of his walks up to see what's going on, and as he is approaching the shop, he says "Oh man! Is that a Ferrari?!" Without a moment's hesitation, the first guy smacked his buddy in the back of the head so hard he lost his balance, and he says "No you dumbass, this was the car Ferrari WISHED it built." Well, that drew in 7 or 8 additional fellows from the alley thinking that there was a Ferrari to see. At least the rest of them knew it was a rare Jag. I talked with them for a while before they departed, but it's crazy; I've never had a car that could draw in a crowd, and this one hasn't even left the lift yet, haha!

I can't wait to get out and drive it around places. I can only imagine I'll have some admirers that will want to talk about it while we're out and about. Definitely only going to drive it when we have time on our hands because of that!

So what are your positive E-type ownership stories? Do tell

 

I have owned my E-Type since 2001. About ten years ago, while walking out to my car at a department store, a woman loading her SUV said to me, "Excuse me sir, but what kind of car is that?" I replied, "It's a Jaguar." She counters, "You mean to tell me they're making those now?" "No, ma'am, they made them 40 years ago!"


Reflections on a Series 1 bonnet.

This is the profile that I desired for my Series 2.

 

In 1971 on my 16th birthday, my favorite uncle showed up at my house in his 1968 Jaguar XKE Coupe Series 1.5 British Racing Green with Biscuit leather interior. Knowing that I had just passed my driver test that day, he said "Do you want to drive the Jag?" to which I replied "I don't know how to drive a stick" to which he replied "Well today you get to learn". That is correct, a 16 year red blooded American boy who had just passed his drivers test in his Dad's 1970 Buick Skylark got to learn how to drive a manual transmission on his uncle's Jag. The unfortunate part of this story is that I was immediately infected with the Jaguar virus for which there is no known vaccine other than ownership.

Over the years, once I was out of college and buying new cars the first priority was family needs, then as time progressed I began buying sports cars (typically used) but I had a 2003 Mercedes 320 SLK (new) 2009 Porsche Carrera, 2006 Porsche Carerra 4S, 1982 Corvette Collectors Edition, 2007 Corvette, 2002 BMW Z3 Coupe, etc etc etc. While each one was a quality car, it paled in comparison to the Jaguar that I lusted for and was typically traded in a year or two for the next poor substitute.

Now that I'm retired, I've picked up a hobby of updating and lightly restoring a couple of vehicles that I promptly sell after I'm done with them. A few weeks ago I told my wife that I was going to ask my uncle if he was ready to sell his 68 XKE Coupe. The car has been in his garage and hasn't run for nearly 20 years. I cannot blame him, but he isn't ready to get rid of it yet, despite my offer to buy it from him. As a result, I went on my own Jag shopping trip and have looked a number of cars, a few slipping through my grasp to the next higher bidder. But finally, I managed to find one that will treat my Jaguar XKE virus. On Tuesday of next week, I will be welcoming a 1969 Jaguar XKE Coupe, Series 2, manual transmission, wire wheels, aftermarket air to my garage. I fully expect to have my fill of updating, cleaning, scrubbing, and polishing my new toy. Hopefully, all the mechanical tasks that I've refined over the past several years will come in handy on this gem.

I'm sure I will be back posting more questions once my new baby arrives, but for now here is a picture of it.

 

TX69XKE:
What a great story! The car looks fabulous!

About 20 years ago, I taught a friend's 16 year old son how to drive a stick in my E-Type!!!! How many of you guys are out there? Probably, just two! Ha!

I am an Air Force brat. When my dad was stationed at Torrejón AFB, near Madrid, Spain, I was 12 years old and in the 7th grade. My very first day, as the bus pulled into the bus lot at Royal Oaks Jr High School, I saw my first E!!!! It was a 1962 white FHC with red interior. Now, trust me on this: I NEVER got into trouble or did anything wrong at school, EXCEPT for this one incident: One day, I skipped P.E. class to get a closer look at the Jag!!!!!! My risk paid off. I was treated to a voyeur's cheap thrill: 1) those glass covered headlights, 2) that gapping catfish mouth 3) triple windshield wipers, 4) a dashboard straight out of a WW2 airplane, and 4) those curvaceous body lines! BTW, I made it to my next class on time! It was totally worth the risk!!!! I have owned my dream car since 2001.

Enjoy your dream car for years to come.

 

Shame on you......not for cutting class that is a perfectly normal response to the XKE stimulus on a young impressionable mind.

No shame on you for spreading this lifelong virus, XKE passion. Don't you realize that a 16 year olds brain is wired different than yours and mine. Now that poor boy has to go through life comparing every car he owns to a Jaguar XKE with manual transmission. The poor boy is doomed to disappointment until like you and me later in life he finally acquires his life long dream car. Hopefully, like me he tells everyone he knows from age 16 to age 65 (my age) that he is in love with the Jag, that way when he finds the car of his dreams and tells his wife, she doesn't even blink an eye. In fact, I think she secretly is thrilled that she doesn't have to hear the story of a 16 year old boy who learns to drive a stick on a Jag XKE. Little does she know that I plan on telling that story to every person that compliments the car.....LOL

 

BTW: You might want to check out the Jaguar Owners Association of North TX of which I am a member. The President, and my Jag mechanic, Richard Wright, tells me that there are 40 E-Types in the club!!! I think I have that right.

Let's get these two 69s out for a drive together some day in the future. I see you are located in Parker, TX. I am in Plano.

Miki


Series 2 polished cam covers.

Ruby on display at local Jaguar/Land Rover dealership. Jaguar Owners Association of North Texas. Jan '20

Another view of the rear. I might end up painting the stainless panels; haven't made up my mind.

 

JOANT is having a "concours" event Sept 26 at Jaguar & Land Rover of Frisco, TX. Check out the website calendar: https://www.joant.club

 

Oh, one more tidbit. The rear side reflectors for the 69s is just a reflector. In Europe, it was wired with a socket & bulb. I had Richard, wire mine with LEDs.

 

My Jag arrives via covered carrier on Tuesday. I'm certain that it is not as shiny and groomed as yours, but maybe you can give me some tips on where to start.
I already discovered the Jag Owners Association and planned on joining and was considering attending the Concours event in September. Not sure the new ride is up for being judged, but it would give me a good understanding of what it will take to move it up a bit in originality. I'm certain its a good driver, but cleaning up the engine bay is one of the few tasks that I've already lined up in my mind. That and ditching the aftermarket radio for one of the Retro models to make it look more appropriate.

PS. I live in Plano for 15 years before moving to Parker 16 years ago.

Bob

 

More pics.

 

Good to meet you! I will be 70 in December. I was 51 when I acquired "Ruby."

 

Bob,

Your car looks stunning! I am going to enter mine in the "Display" category. I have made too many modifications; these would yield too many deductions, that I would take too personally. Ha!

I asked Richard to install a third brake light (too afraid of getting rear ended) for safety sake. No harm to the car. I have a modern Sony radio (am, fm, cd, usb, bluetooth, etc). Bought it at Car Toys in Plano. To give it more of a vintage look, I bought curved pressed British coins and attached it to the volume/input knob & the lighter knob.

I had a British guy in Florida make me three Burl Walnut trim pieces: 2 door caps, & the center gauge cluster.

Miki
PS Plano Tire @ 75 & 15th (westside) is the only tire dealer that I know in the area that will do tubes. I have Michelin 205 70 Defenders that I purchased there on my car. The owner is so nice.

 

Years ago I bought a 1982 Corvette Collectors Edition car that was in original "survivor" condition and took it a few months after I cleaned it up a bit to the Lone Star Corvette Club show out at Texas Motor Speedway. In line to enter the track, the drivers side power window decided to stop working. I had entered the car in the "judged" category to get a feel for what it might need to be a contender. I won second place. There was no one more shocked than me when they called my name. I have no thoughts of doing that here, but I'm unsure which way to go, but your path is probably the best for a first time attendee. I can only imagine the quality of a Concours rated XKE. However, your car looks plenty clean enough to be judged.

The tasks I know for sure that I want or need to do to this car are 1) tidy up under the bonnet, 2) the cargo area is missing some floor trim pieces, 3) install a retro radio, 4) I'm told one gauge on the instrument panel is inoperable, and 5) some of the switches look kind of wonky and may need replaced.

Where are you going to place the third brake light? Where will it be wired in?

Bob

 

The third brake light is already on the car, as seen in this photo. My windows are tinted, but you can readily see the brake light when it is lit.


Vintage Samsonite, time appropriate luggage.

 

Be sure to take lots of photos documenting the delivery of your car. How exciting! Where is it coming from? Has it already been through a restoration?

 

very nice and functional. I will have to think about this, its a great idea.

 

Coming from Tampa on an 18 wheeler with lift gate. Purchased from a dealer who was selling on consignment. Seller is including a 3" binder of receipts, photos, documentation, original service manuals, and a brand new car cover. Seller had too high of a price that dropped over time. I bought it on the last day the dealer was going to have it. It was repainted twenty years ago, originally cream exterior, red interior. Owner spend $20k in 1992 repainting and leather interior. I'm told it was a body off complete paint job with no hint of the cream color anywhere including under the bonnet, under weatherstripping, etc. New clutch and slave cylinder last fall, triple carbs installed in the last three or four years.

 

Bob,

Man, you are ready to rock & roll! It's a beauty. I once saw a 1969 E about 20 years ago that was still on the road after 400K+ miles! Man, was that thing all banged up. The owner said the motor had been rebuilt 3 times. Wonder if it is still chugging!

Post a photo of it coming off the truck!

Later,
Miki

 

Will do. Great idea. I always remember I have a camera in my pocket (smartphone) about ten seconds after the photo moment has passed.

 

I guess I should be counting my lucky stars! Picked up my E at 33, this year, on July 23'rd. Well, my old man paid for half of it :P It is a great hobby we share in his retirement, especially in quarantine. He bank rolls, I do the labor. Oh darn, hahah! I have to work on my favorite vehicle of all time, lol. Sometimes I work straight through and forget to eat lunch O_o It's easy to lose yourself in the achingly beautiful design of the E.