This 1970 Left hand drive Jaguar XKE is one of the most desirable and collectible cars ever designed, certainly in the top 10.
This lovely example is an older, no-expense-spared restoration done in the early 2000s. The work included a full rebuild on the 4.2 Liter straight six-cylinder engine, coupled with a full synchromesh 4-speed manual transmission.
The exterior body has been refinished in a beautiful shade of red. The paint is just about perfect. While looking closely I found one chip and a couple of minor defects, all easily repaired, I think. The 72-spoke chrome wire wheels complement the fine balance of chrome trim surrounding the car. All in good to very good condition.
All of the exterior lights are functioning correctly. The trunk is padded and paneled in tan. Seats are upholstered with a Biscuit Leather, along with matching panels. The car is fitted with an excellent Tan Cloth Top attached to a painted Grey frame. The dash is finished in black vinyl with all the gauges showing crisp and clear dials functioning as they were designed to. Carpets are a slightly darker tan in excellent condition. A Brooklands reproduction Operating, Maintenance and Service Handbook is in the glovebox and an included car cover is stowed in the trunk.
The engine is fitted with black finned aluminum valve covers. The engine bay is clean and detailed to a very good standard. There’s always room for a little extra spit and polish and it would be quite satisfying to see it done to a higher level.
An aluminum radiator was installed during the restoration. The under sides of the car are darn near as pretty as the top sides. By observation, it appears the suspension and braking systems were also replaced. Tires are Michelin X 185 R 15. Their condition and tread appear in good shape but I don’t see a date code and would recommend replacement to the new owner.
This series II Jaguar was fitted with many new correct items including new chrome wire wheels, a stainless steel exhaust system and wiring. More than $75,000 was invested at the time in this stunning example. All work was professionally done to concours standard and the car performed exceptionally well at shows, logging both an AACA First Place as well as a JCNA First Place awards.
Unfortunately we don’t know the shop that restored the car and have no records of the restoration but it is easy to see the restoration was done well. The car was purchased by the owners father at The Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Collector Car Auction, we think in 2004. Probably less than 500 miles had been put on the restored car at that time. It is unknown how many miles after the purchase, but not a lot. Health forced the car to sit for the past dozen years or so and the owner’s son has decided to offer the car for sale.
We have gone through the car on a basic level, it runs and drives extremely well. I would expect a fine tune, some fresh gasoline and this timeless classic will be ready to drive to your hearts content, turning heads and thumbs up.
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Jaguar XK-E History
The Jaguar E-Type, or the Jaguar XK-E for the North American market, is a British sports car that was manufactured by Jaguar Cars Ltd between 1961 and 1975. Its combination of beauty, high performance, and competitive pricing established the model as an icon of the motoring world. The E-Type's claimed 150 mph (241 km/h) top speed,[3] sub-7-second 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration, unitary construction, disc brakes, rack-and-pinion steering, and independent front and rear suspension distinguished the car and spurred industry-wide changes.[4] The E-Type was based on Jaguar's D-Type racing car designed by William Heynes, which had won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three consecutive years beginning 1955,[5] and employed what was, for the early 1960s, a novel racing design principle, with a front subframe carrying the engine, front suspension and front bodywork bolted directly to the body tub. No ladder frame chassis, as was common at the time, was needed and as such the first cars weighed only 1315 kg (2900 lb).
The E-Type was introduced as a rear-wheel drive grand tourer in two-seater coupé form (FHC or Fixed Head Coupé) and as a two-seater convertible "roadster" (OTS or Open Two Seater). A "2+2" four-seater version of the coupé, with a lengthened wheelbase, was released in 1966. Later model updates of the E-Type were officially designated "Series 2" and "Series 3", and over time the earlier cars have come to be referred to as "Series 1."
The Series 1 cars essentially fall into two categories: Those made between 1961 and 1964, which had 3.8-litre engines and partial synchromesh transmissions, and those made between 1965–1967, which increased engine size and torque by around 10% to 4.2 litres, added a fully synchronised transmission, and also provided new reclining seats, an alternator in place of the dynamo, an electrical system switched to negative earth, a more reliable brake servo,[12] and other modern amenities. Styling was unchanged.
Series 2 (1968–71)
The Series 2 introduced a number of design changes, largely due to U.S. National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration mandates.[50] The most distinctive exterior feature is the absence of the glass headlight covers, which affected several other imported cars, like the Citroën DS, as well. Unlike other cars, this step was applied worldwide for the E-Type.
Other hallmarks of Series 2 cars are a wrap-around rear bumper, larger front indicators and tail lights re-positioned below the bumpers, and an enlarged grille and twin electric fans to aid cooling.[51][52][53]
Additional U.S.-inspired changes included a steering lock which moved the ignition switch to the steering column, replacing the dashboard mounted ignition and push button starter, the symmetrical array of metal toggle switches replaced with plastic rockers, and a collapsible steering column to absorb impact in the event of an accident. New seats allowed the fitment of head restraints, as required by U.S. law beginning in 1969.
From Wilkipedia
