1964 Jaguar XKE

Description

Ok, everyone be cool. This 1964 Jaguar XKE coupe isn't for purists but it is for the guy who loves the shape but wants to live a little outside the box. With just 18k believed original miles, a reliable and potent Ford 5.0 power and a few tasteful body modifications, the sinewy Jag takes on an entirely new personality, one that we're pretty sure you're going to love.

It ain't subtle, not with the bright red paint and that giant hood scoop, but from any angle, this is a gorgeous car. With shaved bumpers and door handles, it takes on the look of the early E-Type racers, a no-frills look that's incongruous with the luxury-oriented Jaguar we know today but perfectly in line with where it was in the early '60s. The body is 100% steel, no fiberglass junk, and the fit and finish is rather impressive, certainly worthy of a car like this. And you can't argue with bright red on a high-performance Jaguar when it looks this good. It's impossibly shiny, the bodywork was smoothed and straightened until the reflections looked like a mirror, and you can't tell where the aftermarket hood scoop ends and the factory sheetmetal begins. It's really impressive. Of course, details like the enclosed headlights, mesh grille with late-model leaping cat logo, and cleverly hidden taillights give it a very smooth look that's 100% Jaguar.

The interior is wonderfully authentic, and unless you know Jaguar didn't offer an automatic transmission in 1964, it might go completely unnoticed. The early-style shell bucket seats are wrapped in black leather that looks spectacular and the rest of the trim is just the way Jaguar would have done it themselves. The door panels are simple and elegant, the carpets are plush enough to feel luxurious but not get in the way of serious driving, and yes, all the original Smiths gauges are still in the dash except for a modern oil pressure dial. A Moto-Lita wheel is wrapped in more black leather for a sporting look and the modern Ford automatic shifter is beautifully integrated into the original console. There is no radio, but you wouldn't have used it anyway, and the doors open with remote door poppers, a hot rodding trick that works rather well here. The coupe's cargo bay isn't huge, but it's useful for touring and neatly finished in matching black carpets.

Purists look away now, because the beloved 3.8 liter six is long gone, having been replaced when it died during it's only owner's temporary transfer away from Texas to Hawaii, and due to a lack of parts, was replaced with a Ford Motorsports 5.0 liter V8 crate motor. Making roughly 50% more horsepower than the original it's a tidy fit in the E-Type's engine bay and totally transforms the car. Fed by an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and using headers that weave around the frame extensions, it's beautifully installed. There's a big aluminum radiator so no more fussiness there, and the workmanship is very nicely done. It's backed by a Ford AOD 4-speed automatic transmission which really helps it sip the fuel, and the original independent rear end was deemed robust enough to handle the torque. The front suspension is also Jaguar, so it retains its sublime ride quality and sharp handling with an old-school feel. Disc brakes all around handle the stopping and there's a throaty dual exhaust system that sounds a bit different than what you'd expect. Gorgeous wire wheels with knock-off centers and 215/70/15 blackwall radials complete the look.

This is a beautiful car no matter how you feel about the upgrades. If turn-key fun is what you're looking for, this is a bulletproof Jag that will surprise more than a few onlookers with its moves. Call today!