Barn-find Jaguar XK-E for sale now

Hidden gem

A Jaguar XK-E Series 2 4.2 that was laid up nearly 40 years ago has been rescued from a barn in the English country of Shropshire – and now it’s for sale.

The model was sold in the UK and across the world as the Jaguar E-type, however in North America it was marketed as the Jaguar XK-E.

This dust-covered 2+2 will go under the hammer with no reserve at Hampson Auctions’ sale at the Oulton Park Gold Cup on July 28, 2024.

Let’s take a closer look at this barn-find classic car.

Close call

The vendor’s late husband bought this Jaguar E-type Series 2 as a 21st-birthday present for himself in the 1970s.

He enjoyed it for about 10 years until somebody tried to steal it from outside a Woolworths shop in 1986.

Cold feet

Fitting a battery-isolator switch under the Jaguar’s dashboard did little to quell the owner’s nerves about it happening again.

Eventually, he parked the E-type Series 2 in his Shropshire barn, where it remained for nearly four decades.

Buyer beware

Bar two new tires, the car is being sold as it is, so the winning bidder needs to be ready to take on a project.

A sponge and a big bucket of warm, soapy water might be a good place to start.

High days and holidays

This Jaguar E-type Series 2 was clearly enjoyed and racked up more than 85,000 miles between 1970 and 1986.

The tow bar on the back suggests this 2+2 might have been used for hauling a caravan on family vacations, too.

Smooth ‘six’

The grunt provided by the Series 2’s straight-six, 4.2-liter engine would have made it an ideal towing partner.

Plus, it would have been the most stylish car on the campsite.

Little changes

Famously, the Jaguar XK-E/E-type broke cover in March 1961 at the Geneva motor show, launched as a 3.8 roadster and fixed-head coupe, the torquier 4.2 replacing the 3.8 in 1964 and the 2+2 added to the range in 1966.

The Series 2 model arrived in 1968, and it brought a raft of changes over the earlier S1 and S1½, including open headlights, a larger grille, better seats and improved cooling.

History lesson

Hampson Auctions has cleaned this Jaguar’s chassis plate and sent the number to Jaguar Heritage in an attempt to find out more about it.

Its next keeper might be able to piece together more details about this car’s history.

Restoration required

Restoring a Jaguar XK-E isn’t for the faint of heart. Body repairs are expensive and costs could spiral.

However, the availability of parts is good thanks to an army of talented specialists.

Moving on

This car’s last custodian replaced his Jaguar with a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, which he enjoyed for several years and also, because it was white, he was asked to use it for weddings.

Eventually, it was parked next to the E-type in the barn and the pair sat unused for decades.

Both cars will cross the block in Hampson Auctions’ forthcoming sale – and both require a full restoration.

Name game

The family decided to sell these classic cars with Hampson Auctions because it was discovered the Rolls-Royce was once owned by a company called Hampson Industries PLC. 

There is no connection between the Cheshire-based auction house and the former British engineering company, though, but it is a neat coincidence.

Up for a challenge?

This Jaguar E-type Series 2 4.2 is being offered with no reserve at Hampson Auctions’ sale at the Oulton Park Gold Cup in Cheshire on July 28, 2024.

Let’s hope it and the Rolls-Royce find owners who can bring them back to best.

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