2005-12-10 09:48:14 | pauls writes:

Ebay item 12/10/05
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jaguar-E-Type-1971-Jaguar-XKE-E-Type-Series-2-FHC_W0QQcm ...
Current bid $2,247.00 (Reserve not met), 5 bids, 9 days left in auction.

Sellers description:
Being a 1971 model with the rare ‘2R’ (instead of ‘1R’) chassis number prefix this late Series 2 coupe was manufactured in August 1970, shortly before production of its successor the Series 3 model began. From the outside the late Series 2 can be distinguished from earlier models by their special chrome trim around the air intake opening in the hood and the Jaguar medallions on each side of the hood. With a total volume of only 4855 vehicles the FHC represents the rarest (and most beautiful?) body style of all 18808 XKE Series 2 produced between 1968 and 1970. For the later Series 3 the FHC was discontinued.

Personally, I like the XKE Series 2 vehicles as they still feature most of the classic lines of the early models but with the added safety and convenience features, stronger brakes, better lights and cooling they are much more practical for today’s driving.

I purchased the car in 1997. I don’t know much about the history of the car except that previous owner had done some restoration work including some weld repair and a new paint job. As long as I own the car it has always been garaged and never been driven in rain or snow.

After I bought the car I unfortunately have never found the time to give it as much attention as I originally had planned. Besides, as a 6’4” tall person it has always been a kind of hard for me to find a comfortable seating position in the vehicle. While the car has been stored with a friend, who is now requiring the garage space for herself, this for me is the point to sell.

The car is equipped with the optional 9:1 compression engine (# 7R.13354-9) that I believe to be the original engine. Another option that the car was produced with is the factory air conditioning system, which unfortunately was removed by the previous owner and now is not complete (Compressor, dryer and some hoses still come with the car). In addition the car is still features the original Phillips FM/AM-radio (works great!) and is equipped with optional chrome wire wheels and white wall tires.

Condition:
General: From what I can tell the car is very original and 99% complete. The vehicle was restored to not perfect but what I would call ‘daily driver’ condition, which looks pretty good from 15 feet away. Currently, the car runs but doesn’t drive as the clutch needs repair. Due to this it has not been moved for more than 6 months, now. The odometer reads unconfirmed 49,178 miles.

Body: The body is in good condition. It appears to be straight and accident free with only a small dent in the passenger door (easily to be repaired). There is only minor corrosion in the typical areas. The previous restoration took already care most of it and included replacement of the outer rocker sills on both sides, welding of the foot well area on the passenger’s side, plus a small patch in the trunk area. Besides this I have only discovered two small holes in the rear wheel housings and one in the fuel door pocket. The doors and hood are solid. As part of the restoration the car has been repainted in ‘British Racing Green’. Its original color was ‘Primrose Yellow’.

Drivetrain: The engine runs good and has great sound. The carburettors were rebuilt and tuned by a specialist last year. I also had a new fuel tank put in, and replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter. The battery is 1 year old.

As long as the car was driven the manual transmission shifted smoothly through all gears. Currently, the clutch needs repair.

Interior: The interior shows some age but in general is still quite good. As usual, the original black leather upholstery is dried out and cracked, and probably should be replaced. (I have a new upholstery kit available, which will be sold separately.) All gauges work except for the clock, which only runs intermittently.

Tools: The original jack and tool kit are missing. However, the spare wheel incl. hold-down screw, as well as the Thor hammer and wheel nut removal ring come with the car.

All in all this is a nice car that needs a little work to become an excellent driver. Considering its rareness it may also be a good candidate for a total restoration to concours condition.