1969 Jaguar XKE

Description

If you're an E-Type enthusiast, you've seen the meteoric rise in XKE prices lately. Series I cars are pretty regularly selling for deep into six-figures and the Series II cars are on their way up. This 1969 XKE OTS is your way of getting in on the ground floor of the market, your chance to never have to say, "I should have bought one when..." You will probably never, ever see another usable 4-speed XKE convertible this affordably priced again.

You know this car isn't perfection when you see the price, but it isn't a project, either. It's been repainted and the work was done a few years ago, so it has some signs of age and use, but this car has the basics down pat. It's not a rust bucket that was patched together from two or three other cars, and aside from one of the doors whose fit could use some tweaking, it fits together quite well. Bright yellow works well on the slinky E-Type shape and the car is a high-visibility piece no matter what color you paint it. There's a decent shine to the finish and it doesn't have any major issues that would prevent you from just going out and enjoying the car as-is. Someday you will want to repaint it, and values would justify a high-quality job, but this car will get you into the game right now at a very reasonable price. You'll also note that the chrome is excellent, including the bumpers, headlight trim, and even the luggage rack out back.

At some point, the interior was reupholstered and they pretty much stuck to the factory look. There's matching yellow piping on the seats that lends a sporty flair, but otherwise it looks quite authentic. There are some minor signs of wear but overall it's quite good and a deep cleaning would probably make it really sparkle. The wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel is in excellent shape and the handsome Smiths gauges show well, although the tach is not functioning. And yes, this is a desirable 4-speed, making it the most road-worthy of the E-Types. There's more space in the cockpit, improved ergonomics, and if you're a driver, this is the one to own. A Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo has been added, and it was neatly done so it doesn't stand out as an obvious modification. In case of foul weather, there's a standard folding convertible top, but you'll probably keep it stowed under the matching black boot most of the time.

The 4.2-liter inline-six was designed to make more torque for American enthusiasts, and it's a total success in that regard. As I said, the Series II cars are the ones to own if you like to drive, as the fatter torque curve makes this car genuinely fast and with two rebuilt carbs, it runs superbly. The engine bay is a big grimy, but you could clean it up and take it up a notch, and there's plenty of evidence of recent work, including a new alternator. These cars have an undeserved reputation for being unreliable, but this one runs and drives very well and doesn't seem fussy in the least, so you should enjoy it every chance you get. The 4-speed shifts cleanly, the suspension nails Jaguar's combination of comfort and sporting, and the 4-wheel disc brakes are confidence-inspiring, even 46 years later. Beautiful chrome wire wheels are outfitted with radial tires, and we'll leave it to the next owner to decide whether it should wear whitewalls or blackwalls.

You will not find a running, driving, presentable E-Type for less, that's a certainty. You can buy now, fix it up along the way, and it will be the smartest investment you've ever made. Don't be that guy in five years who had another opportunity to ride the rising tide of prices but passed it by. Call now!