Just when you thought all the derelict barn-find Jaguars had been found and sold at auction, here come a couple of early E-types rescued from long-term storage and heading to sale June 18 in England by Classic Car Auctions.
The strong values of the iconic XK-Es seem to be the catalyst for more owners of forlorn project Jags to cash them in. Classic Car Auctions say the cars, a valuable 1963 3.8-liter hatchback coupe and a somewhat less-desirable 1966 4.2-liter 2+2 coupe, are “both ideal candidates for restoration projects.”
Guy Lees-Milne, general manager of Classic Car Auctions, noted in a press release that the cars could present opportunities to purchase otherwise unaffordable classic E-Types for restoration, although the cost of professional refurbishing could quickly eat away the savings. But a competent hands-on enthusiast could make it work.
“The Jaguar E-type is one of the most recognized and iconic cars ever produced and is extremely popular among classic car fans,” Lees-Milne said in a news release. “Barn finds such as these offer the chance to purchase a beautiful car at a great value price and bring back to its former glory, a labor of love which could also be a very savvy investment.”
The 1963 Jaguar coupe is “clearly a well-loved car,” the auction house says, and its first owner kept it for 30 years before it was acquired by the second owner, who drove it for only a couple of years.
“The car was then tucked away in a barn and has recently been discovered an amazing 20 years later,” the auction house says.
Under the dust, the right-hand-drive, four-speed car shows that it was partially disassembled, although the body is described as being in good condition. The auction places its value at £25,000 to £30,000 ($36,000 to $44,000 at the current exchange rate).
The 1966 2+2 coupe, also with right-hand drive, is a Series I with covered headlights and four-speed transmission described by the auction as “an abandoned restoration project which ran out of steam some 15 years ago.” Also partially disassembled, this car is valued at £12,000 and £15,000 ($17,500 to $22,000).
Classic Car Auctions will hold its sale at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, Leamington Spa. For more information visit the auction website.
