2007-06-06 08:59:39 | pauls writes:

Ebay item 6/6/07
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jaguar-E-Type-1974-Jaguar-S3-V12-Roadster_W0QQitemZ15012 ...
Opening bid $10,000 reserve not met, no bids yet, 6 days left in auction. Buy it now price $46,500.

Sellers description:
This example has only traveled 39,237 (I am driving it so that was this morning!) documented miles since it was built in April of 1974. The car has had one very high quality repaint in its original dark blue and it is stunning. In addition to the repaint, the leather seats were refurbished using BAS leather covers (very well known and high quality supplier of jaguar interiors) in a blue gray with dark blue piping and seat backs. Again, this is a very appealing combination. The carpets, door panels and other interior trim are all original and in very serviceable condition. The carpets do show some fading and the door panels have a few nicks, but overall very presentable.

EXTERIOR
As mentioned, the paint is stunning. As with any driven car, there are a couple of nicks and touchups but they have to be pointed out to you or found when you are waxing the car. I think we are talking about fewer than four touchups on the car total. Paint is about 9.5 out of ten. The chrome is very good to excellent; mostly original with some minor scratches but no rust or bubbling. Chrome overall about 9 out of 10. The wire wheels are fairly new and are all (five) in excellent condition. The tires are also fairly fresh Goodyear Eagles with lots of tread remaining. All glass is excellent without scratches or chips.

CONVERTIBLE TOP
The convertible top is black and is stayfast cloth rather than the correct vinyl. This is a much more expensive top than the vinyl but is incorrect for the car and would cost points at a concours. It is in very good condition having rarely been up. The plastic window is clear and also in good condition. Overall 9.5 out of 10.

INTERIOR
The interior is mostly original with the exception of the seats. As mentioned, they were refurbished with leather replacements from BAS. The foam was also replaced and they are very supportive with no sagging as you often see on these cars. The carpets are original with normal wear and fading but again, very serviceable. Door panels are very good overall but each does have a minor split at the upper rear comers on the seam where the covering folds back behind the panel. Again, you have to be looking to even notice but I want a potential buyer to know everything I know. They are still way to nice to justify replacement for a driver but you would need to consider it for a show car. The dash is like new with no cracking or fading. The seat belts are original but faded. Again, it is very serviceable but they sort of stick out in this otherwise pristine looking car. Remote driver’s side mirror and rearview mirror are in excellent condition and stay put (you Jaguar guys will know what I'm talking about). The car has a beautiful Nardi wood wheel (no original wheel with car).

INSTRUMENTS AND GAUGES
All of the gauges and instruments work as intended with the exception of the clock. I haven't checked the clock to see what needs to be done as I own a watch. All electrical and lights work again as intended.

ENGINE
The engine starts and runs like a sewing machine. A recent compression check showed the following left to right, front to rear: 132, 138, 142, 140, 140, 140, 145, 155, 148, 140, 142, 140. Oil pressure is 45# at idle and 75# running when warmed up. Higher of course cold.

The ignition was just replaced with a Crane unit as the Lucas gave up the ghost (original Lucas unit included with car if you want to get the available upgraded guts and put the original back). The car runs as smooth as a V12 should and the power comes on like a turbine. The transmission is the original GM unit and it was resealed a few years ago. It does not leak and shifts smoothly. The rear end is quiet with no clunks or leaks.

BRAKES
The brakes are freshly serviced with the booster and master both having been resleeved with stainless steel a few years ago. The car stops straight and firm with no excitement.

UPGRADES
This is a very nice driven car and has had some upgrades to improve reliability and driving enjoyment. In the reliability category it has a large aluminum radiator and newer Kevlar hoses all around. The car runs cool with no overheating (stays on the R in NORMAL on the gauge). The car also has an Alpine CD player / radio. Speakers in the original positions with no panels cut or modified.

OPTIONS
The car has the original factory air conditioning that, unlike most cars, works great. It blows ice cold on all three fan speeds and was just serviced.

In addition to the chrome wire wheels and AC, the car also has its original factory hardtop. The top is painted black as they all were. The paint if very good original and the chrome is excellent. The glass is clear and all rubber seals are new. It does need a new headliner. The original shrunk over time and has been removed. This is simply a matter of getting the material and gluing it in.

RUST, IT’S A JAG SO YOU'D BETTER ASK

I did a six year ground up restoration on as S2 E-type that I should never have touched. Rust everywhere. I learned the hard way and I know what to look for and where to look.

The good news is that this car is rock solid. It has no rust or corrosion anywhere to be found. BUT, I do want to disclose that it did have three areas patched prior to the repaint. The first two were on either side of the bonnet just back of the front wheels. Metal triangles were welded in and the body work done prior to the primer and repaint. The driver’s side repair is all but invisible from the exterior. On the passenger side there is a small raised area that can be seen from the outside. Not a bubble but more like someone didn't do all the final prep they should have before the paint. About the size of a quarter it does not need attention and is NOT rust. Again, just want to disclose all I know. The third repair was under the boot near the passenger side rear wheel (under the area where the fuel pump is in the boot) where a corroded drain hole was cut out and new metal welded in prior to the repaint. This is only visible if you are lying on your back or looking at the car on a lift.

SUMMARY
This is a very solid driver class Jaguar V12. It has always been maintained and garaged and it is a joy to drive. With a little time and effort (and some $’s) it could compete well in the Championship JCNA class but it should be driven, driven, driven. This one is just nice enough to enjoy without having to fear every time you take it out because it is too nice. I’ve had trailer queens and this car is much more fun! I will also tell you that I have not owned this car long but I have known the previous owner and the car for several years. I bought it “sight unseen” as I already knew the car well and knew its history and condition, so bid with confidence.

2009-04-04 12:49:27 | jagman writes:

41,810 miles, on ebay 04/09, seller writes: The most potent creation ever to emerge from the Jaguar Works in Coventry England and is the only sporting machine to adorn the Museum of Modern art. 1974 was the last production year of this sculptured moving work of art and very few were built. In my 58 years of selling Jaguars from this same location with much pride and enthusiasm I have the pleasure to offer this exceptional example. This rust free one owner specimen has gone only 41,810 miles and was meticulously maintained both mechanically and cosmetically. It is finished in a flawless, and most unusual, Royal Blue non metallic with impeccable Royal Blue leather. It has a perfect black factory convertible soft top and an original black factory hard top. It is fitted with the perfected and awesome 5.3L V12 Jaguar engine, fully automatic, factory air conditioning, power steering, Nardi wood steering wheel and 5 perfectly kept chrome wire wheels. In my many years of selling Jaguar E-Types I have not seen a masterpiece in this condition. In my opinion, this motorcar is one of the soundest investments one could make. Imagine having an investment that gives you endless pride of ownership.

2009-04-05 10:47:46 | pauls writes:

URL for above auction:
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jaguar-E-Type-XKE-5-3L-V12-1974-Jaguar-XKE-Both-tops-Aut ...

2009-04-14 07:09:56 | pauls writes:

Car returns to ebay 4/14/09
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jaguar-E-Type-XKE-5-3L-V12-1974-Jaguar-XKE-Both-tops-Aut ...
Opening bid $56,000 reserve not met, no bids yet 9 days left in auction.

Previous listing received no bids.

2009-04-24 08:18:59 | pauls writes:

Car returns to ebay 4/24/09
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jaguar-E-Type-XKE-5-3L-V12-1974-Jaguar-XKE-Both-tops-Aut ...
Opening bid $56,000 reserve not met, no bids yet 9 days left in auction. Buy it now price $60,000.

Previous auction received no bids.

2009-07-30 02:07:28 | sparky writes:

Car returns to E-bay 7/30/09
cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll
Opening bid $56,000, Buy-it-now price $60,000, no bids yet, auction ends 8/05/09.

Previous auction received no bids.

2009-09-11 04:30:00 | sparky writes:

Car returns to E-bay 9/11/09
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-Jaguar-XKE-Both-tops-Auto-A-C-Like-New_W0QQitemZ310 ...
Opening bid $58,000, no bids yet, 6 days left in auction, Buy-it-now price $60,000

Previous auction ended with no bids.