May Cause Heart Attacks in Purists: 1968 Jaguar E-Type

Yes, you are looking at an E-Type, or what’s left of one. Apparently, it is owned by a shop owner/car builder whose friend rolled his E-Type 2+2. So, purists can relax a bit, as 2+2 E’s frankly aren’t that good looking AND this one was damaged. The 2+2 roots also explain the long wheelbase.

We can think of a lot of things to do with a questionably salvageable E-Type, but we’d never think of this. This features a Chevy 350 mounted midships and driving the rear wheels through an Olds Turbo 425 transmission, which was originally used in front-engine, front-wheel drive (FF) cars. What looks like side pipes are coolant pipes, with the radiator in the front.

Apparently, the owner drove this for a while with a front-mounted Ford 302 (not entirely uncommon), later did the mid-engine customization and used a Cadillac 500 cubic inch (8.2 liters, if you’re on of THOSE) V8, then finally decided on this fuel injected 350.

Everything was done in sheet metal and the bonnet and engine cover both open with actuators (or course!). The seller provides quite a bit of info (see text below) on the suspension of other mods.  One highlight: Those headlamps came from a 2004 Ford Taurus. Why not? Love it or hate it, the builder certainly has skills!

Click for eBay ad
$2,010 with eight bids, reserve not met, $80K BIN price and six days to go
Carson City, NV, USA

The trained eye will pick out the E-Type cues quickly, then view the car through tears.

Yep.

From here, one might think only a questionable headlamp choice was made.

There isn’t too much E-Type to behold here.  We wonder how, exactly, this track width was attained.

Exhausts dump straight down.  Even this wing is apparently made of metal – not plastic.

Let’s hop inside.  Note the wide sill, familiar to E-Type fans.

Seats are instantly recognizable as Datsun Z units.  Nothing on the inside appears to be stock.

We don’t like center gauges in BMW Z8s or Nissan Primeras. We don’t like ’em here, either, but this is typical for a “full custom” dash. Getting in and out is probably much easier with this smaller steering wheel.

Here she is with both ends exposed.

The original bonnet hides a radiator, fuel cell and batteries.  The front suspension is all custom.

Yes, the original data and VIN plates are present.

Here’s the engine “compartment”, such as it is.

 

One more look.  Note that oddball GM FWD trans.

Ad text:

HI TO ALL, MY NAME IS PETER HARRIS I HAVE BEEN A CUSTOM CAR BUILDER FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS AND I AM SELLING MY OWN 1968 JAGUAR, I GOT THIS JAGUAR OVER 30 YEARS AGO FROM A FRIEND WHO ROLLED IT IN A ACCIDENT AT THAT TIME IT WAS A 2+2 COUPE, I REMOVED THE ROOF  PUT IN A 302 FORD ENGINE AND DROVE IT FOR A FEW YEARS TILL THE TRANS WENT THEN IT SAT TILL ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO, I GOT IN MY SHOP A 1971 OLDSMOBILE 442 WITH A BLOWN 455 IN THE REAR AND IT WAS FUN TO DRIVE SO I DRAG THE JAG IN TO THE SHOP AND GOT STARTED.

THE REAR FRAME IS A 1974 CADILLAC FRONT WHEEL DRIVE WITH 2″ X 4″ 120 WALL RAILS ADDED TO MAKE A FULL FRAME, ROCKERS ON THE BODY WERE OPEND UP FOR THE RAILS TO SLIDE UP IN TO, I WANTED SOME THING WILD SO I INSTALLD A FULL BUILT 500ci 671 BLOWN CADILLAC ENGINE, I DIDDENT HAVE THE JAG FRONT SUSPENSION ANY MORE SO I INSTALLED SPEEDWAYS GASSER STYLE TUBE AXLE AND RACK AND PINON STEERING AND 4 WHEEL POWER DISC BRAKES,  THE CAD TORSION BARS WHERE REMOVED FOR COIL OVER SHOCKS.

FRAME IS WHITE WITH SILVER HAMERTONE POWDER COAT.

THE CAD 500 ci WAS FUN BUT GOT TO BE TO MUCH SO 2 YEARS AGO I INSTALLD A 1990 CHEVY TPI 350 ENGINE COMPLETELY REBULIT WITH EDELBROCK HIGH FLOW ALUMINUM PERFORMER HEADS, WIREING FORE CAR IS EZ WIRING, TPI WIRING IS PAINLESS ONLY ABOUT 600 MILES ON THE 350 NOT EVEN BROKE IN YET AROUND 3,000 MILES ON THE CAD TURBO 425 AUTO TRANS.

ALL BODY MODS ARE DONE IN SHEET METAL NO FIBER GLASS WAS USED THE WING IS ALLSO SHEET METAL, WINDSHEELD IS A STOCK JAGUAR ROADSTER, FRONT HEADLIGHTS ARE 2004 FORD TAURUS, TAILLIGHTS ARE SPEEDWAYS CATS EYE LEDS, IDIDIT KEYED TILT COLUMN, CENTERLINE WHEELS, DOLPHIN GAUGES, HURST GATE SHIFTER, DASH IS SOLID BIRDS EYE MAPEL, SEATS ARE DATSUN 240Z, FRONT BONNET AND REAR DECK OPEN AND CLOSE WITH LINEAR ACTUATORS.

RAIDO IS ALPINE WITH HIDDEN ANTENNA.

WHAT LOOKS LIKE SIDE PIPES ARE THE WATER LINES THEY ALSO HAVE A SWICHED INLINE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP TO HELP THE FLOW THROUGH THE ALUMINUM RADIATOR.

PAINT IS VIPER RED.

HAD PLANED A TOP BUT NEVER GOT AROUND TO MAKING ONE.

I DO NOT WANT TO SELL THE CAR BUT DO TO AGE AND HEALTH IT IS JUST TO HARD GETING IN AND OUT OF IT AND I HAVE TO MANY CARS SO IT MUST GO.


Posted

in

by