Should I buy my cousin's 1969 Jaguar XKE?

I was a service manager for a Jaguar dealership in 1969. Back then they were good cars. Now, you better be committed. Time and MONEY.

Great Movie, Great Car

I am so glad to hear you are familiar with british cars. I used to rebuild MG's and Triumphs for fun, loved it. I think your going to have a lot of fun with this Jaguar.
Please post pics when you can!

enjoy it!!

My friggin' high school shop teacher had one. A pre '68, I believe, as I don't remember it having any side markers. IMO one of the most beautiful reasonalby-available road cars ever. I think they were running around $6-7k new back then. But then, a BMW 2002 or a 240z could be had for less than 1/2 of that, and minimum wage was what, a buck?

1969-70 In the showroom at $6700 including the removable hardtop.

I think you'll be happy you got it at that price. Seems unbeatable even if you decide to turn it later...I would think a nice driver would run at least 35K.

I once owned a 74 XKE with the V-12, gawd I was glad to see that car go away. It burned to the ground about 2 years after I sold it.

Seems like someone back in the day could have made a nice living selling good wiring harnesses for those.

Buy it and go get it.

Think about it some more and if you decide against it, sell it and still make money.

Yeah, they are beautiful cars.

british wiring. then i have i direct source over the pond too...

Buy it for what it is too you also, I have a 67 XKE 2+2. We got it when I was 5 years old. It makes me smile every time I go for a ride even after 43 years. Sometimes its a pain in the ass,I spent most of last summer trying to get my clutch bled after the seals went. I have some crap in the bottom of the gas tank and if I go over about 40 miles an hour it runs itself out of fuel. Doesn't matter I'll get it fixed one of these days. We also have a 62 MarkII Saloon,it is in need of some TLC at the moment,but I could have it drivable in a couple hours,just don't have the time.I have heard all my life about what crappy this and that Jags have.Enjoy it and your Uncle will/would be happy you got it.

That is what it's all about.

Back in the late 70s I had an antique 9th-grade algebra teacher who liked to tell stories. A brief one was about a bumper sticker on a Jag that said, "But when it runs..."

At one time there was a place in Colorado called JTR, it stood for Jaguars That Run.....they specialized in mid year (70s 80s) Jaguars where they swapped ion a Chevy 350 and a Turbo 350. A buddy had one and it did run!

There still is that place!
http://www.jagsthatrun.com/

Cool! I would love to have an XJ8 with a potent 383 stroker motor in it! Shoot, evebn with a 350 and 5 speed!

hopefully you can work on it yourself, they are money pits. I had a 2+2 '71. the V12 was a blast to drive when running.

It spent a lot of time on a trailer going to the shop though. If not a lot of work has been done on it expect anything gasket and rubber to need attention. treat it like a car with 2 v6's and you will get the idea

awesome cars though, I wanted to do a v8 conversion to make it a true daily driver but didn't have the funds at the time and sold it.

One of the most complex cars ever.

Peter Egan has written about restoring one (may have been a Series I).

There was a whole series on DIY TV 5 or 6 years ago where a British bloke restored one. Might be able to catch it online. They aren't the easiest to restore.

This thing belongs to a friend of mine



Kind of pretty to look at. Very difficult to get into and sit in, very uncomfortable and archaic feeling. By the time I get the door closed I just want out.

I understand the investment value due to the irrational emotions of some, but gawd what an awful thing to try and use.

At least you get shitty electrics to deal with!