I'm looking at buying this 68 E type. Im a newbie when it comes to Jags. Any thoughts?

 

Is all the glass still there, engine & tranny? Basically if it is not close to complete mechanically, it will be quite a challenge to find missing parts and put it back together. The tub looks OK from that angle but it might be different underneath. What sort of price is being batted around?

 

I hope you have lots of time and tons of money. You will need both.

 

This has all the look of an abandoned rebuild. Am I right ? In cases like this, and with your stated lack of knowledge of Jaguars, you are risking a lot. Unless you personally stripped out the car, how do you know everything is there to put back ?

OK, I have, when I was young, like 45 years ago, bought motorcycles that consisted of an engine and gearbox, a frame and fuel tank, a pair of wheels and a tea chest full of bits, and managed to end up with a motorcycle. However an E-type is a whole new ballgame. Virtually all the parts you will ever need can be bought on the internet, but the prices can be eye-watering.

I see no engine at all; is there one ?

If you really do want an E-type and are prepared for lots of work, then inspect the car with somebody who knows about E-types. These cars are children of their time, so very prone to rusting. All the panels you'll need are available, but costly, as are engine and mechanical parts.

I certainly don't want to put you off. I took on a Mark 2 in my late 20s and finally got a working and immaculate car seven years later, and no divorce either !!

 

It was a complete car in 1995. The gentlemen started taking the car apart to do a restoration and then he sadly died. The car has been sitting since. All glass is there. Engine and tranny also. Although I'm assuming they need rebuilt. The owners want 5k for it. I have done many American cars so I do have car, and mechnical know how. But have 0 knowledge of these, except I love the look.. So I appreciate all the imput. Thanks

 

Well, for 5G and "most" of the parts you could be OK... the parts are worth that much if you change your mind about restoring. Still expect to spend 10X that to get the car running and reliable. You really need to love these cars to take on a full restoration/rebuild. Do some research, check out a few Jaguar forums for known issues, and remember these cars are turning 50. I spent one year of research before buying my '68 2+2.
Hope you have some fun!

 

Well if its $5000 then as said here, it could be a proposition, but will need lots of work, but then you say you are mechanically savvy, so should be able to rebuild the car assuming you have a large and warm garage to work in. Apart from the body shell rusting, the front engine frame also can rust from inside. These frames of square section tubing are bronze-welded together and made of Reynolds 531 tube. It is not an arc-weldable alloy so be careful. New ones are available at a price of course !

 

For $5k what could go wrong. If it's all there it's worth more in parts.

 

Just the bonnet alone is worth 5k. if you add up all the parts you can make $$ of that alone. 5K is a BARGAIN for a 68!

 

Agree with the last two posters. If it were me, I would buy it. Then either list it for sale complete or part it out. You should be able to get a more put together car with the money you get.

 

As above; it looks to be worth over 5k in parts alone. Obviously if you're looking to rebuild yourself you will need time, patience and plenty of funds to do so! Feel free to give us a call and price up any missing parts which hopefully will give you some idea of what you're into..


We also offer a great parts guide which will provide you valuable information & drawings which is free of charge. You may want to consider purchasing a restoration guide like below too which is very useful for a DIY mechanic..


www.sngbarratt.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=8fa326f2-ed03-41b0-85f6-9b9e8afa3376

 

A couple of sites have very nice blogs that may help you understand what you're looking at and what you're getting yourself into.

Monocoque Metalworks | Jaguar E-Type body panels and shell restoration
Lots of metalwork restoration articles

CJ Blog | Classic Jaguar
They document their customer's restorations

Home - Project '67 E Type Jag Restoration
One man's story of his efforts in AU

It's Got a Jaguar Thread. Or two. (The Index!) - Restorations and Projects by any description - The Garage Gazette
A great set of articles by Goodfellow documenting his restoration. If you're going for the snooty concourse resto then don't read this. If you want to build a car to enjoy and pass on to your heirs, then enjoy!

Welcome to the 1963 Jaguar XKE Series 1 FHC Restoration Page
Another man's story of starting with a pile of rust and parts.

http://etype.chrisvine.com/
Chris Vine's story

Restoration of a 63 Jaguar XKE FHC
and the classic McKenna's Garage resto.

Have fun and remember that every automotive project requires a blood sacrifice!

 

Did you end up buying it??