The E-Type, which replaced the XK150 and was first produced in 1961, went on to become Jaguar’s most recognizable vehicle and was produced until 1974. It’s also thought to be among the most exquisite cars ever produced.
But the E-Type has the same issues as most vintage rigs, despite being a highly prized and costly classic. More specifically, the majority of them still need to be saved from backyards and barns. Some of the specimens require a total restoration to be roadworthy after being improperly stored for decades. One of those vehicles is this Series 2 model that you are viewing.
This once beautiful Jag was parked in 1978. Since it’s a Series 2 model, it spent seven to nine years on public roads before it was put into storage for unknown reasons. And it’s been sitting for 45 years as of 2023.
Unfortunately, the E-Type was parked on a property that’s been abandoned for a very long time. And as the building decayed, so did the car, which is now rusty and covered in moss. Making matters worse, there was no top to protect the cabin, so the interior is also in poor shape.
However, the situation could have been far worse. Although rust is a problem on nearly every steel element and the paint is crusty, I’ve seen classics turn into rust buckets after just 20 years of storage. This Jag is a good project car if the frame isn’t rotting and can yet be salvaged.
Under the hood, there’s also some positive news. The engine in the E-Type is still present, and it appears to be the original, matching-numbers engine. It requires a considerable amount of replacement parts and a thorough rebuild, of course, but it’s still far better than having no engine at all or a swap. In terms of the vehicle’s worth as a restored classic, anyway.
Furthermore, this E-Type is also a low-mileage gem. The odometer shows only 31,500 miles (50,694 km), so it wasn’t driven much before the owner parked it for good.
So, how rare is this Jaguar? Well, while I can’t find any hints on which model-year E-Type it is, this drop is one of 18,809 Series 2 vehicles the British firm built from 1968 to 1971. And since it’s a drop-top, I can narrow it down to 8,628 produced in this configuration. All told, while it’s scarcer than a Series 1, it’s slightly more common than the Series 3.
What distinguishes the Series 2 from the Series 1? The most notable difference is the lack of glass headlamp covers. The modification was designed to bring the E-Type into compliance with NHTSA guidelines. The Series 2 also has redesigned taillights, a wraparound back bumper, and more noticeable front indicators.
A 4.2-liter straight-six engine with 246 horsepower was the standard powerplant for all Series 2 vehicles. A 3.8-liter inline-six was another engine option for the Series 1. For the Series 3, Jaguar debuted a 5.3-liter V12 powertrain.
While a spectacular find, this E-Type is also a heartbreaking sight. And not just because it’s in poor condition. The property it calls home looks like it’s been abandoned for a very long time, which means the E-Type and all the other cars parked here won’t be going away anytime soon. Unless someone acts fast and gets it out there, the E-Type will decay beyond the point where it’s still feasible to rebuild it.