1968 Jaguar E-Type Roadster – SOLD!
About 3 weeks after I wrote this up for George, a gentleman in Long Island, NY read through this blog, called George, drove down to see the car on a crisp late Summer day, and bought the car then and there! She really was THAT nice, and he is already stretching her legs on the outer reaches of back roads on Long Island – what a great new home that’s not too far from her (second) birthplace at George’s shop in New Jersey!
Unfortunately for George, the new owner is a professional photographer, and so now he just keeps getting these FABULOUS photos of the car out and about – which is making him miss her terribly!
FORTUNATELY for YOU, George has several more E-Type OTS and FHC projects in the pipeline – so if you want one built RIGHT, and delivered better than new for the trouble-free E-Type touring you have dreamed of all your life… CALL NOW, and have the E-Type of your dreams built to order!
Total “nut and bolt” restoration – to Series 1 specs!
This 1968 Jaguar XKE was a virtually rust free survivor California car with ONE original owner. She was completely stripped down of all components, paint and coatings – “Every nut and bolt”. Original paint and undercoatings were stripped to bare metal inside, outside, and underneath. The entire body was then meticulously gone over to get all panel gaps to better than factory. Car was then sealed with epoxy primer, block sanded, primed, and then painted in Glasurit base and clear coat.
The underside of the vehicle also received great attention to detail. All components were overhauled and restored before assembly. The original front engine, picture, and bonnet frames were “acceptable”, but were replaced with a complete set of new frames from E-Type Fabs to insure a lifetime of trouble-free performance.
The original, numbers-matching XK engine was completely rebuilt with upgraded modern rear main seal to eliminate the troublesome original rope seal. A 123 Electronic ignition system was installed for improved starting and reliability. Entirely new fuel system. Fitted with stainless exhaust system and hardware. Upgraded cooling system with Ron Davis aluminum radiator with integral cooling fan. Transmission completely overhauled. All driveline, brakes, steering, and suspension overhauled.
All suspension/brake components nickel plated for best protection and cosmetic appearance. Uprated wider center-lace wire wheels for improved handling and appearance. Uprated Wilwood front brake system, utilizing lighter and larger calipers and larger pads for incredible clamping force and shorter stopping distances. Upgraded handbrake mechanism ensures a TIGHT grip on BOTH rear discs every time.
All new black leather interior. New canvas convertible top. Three-point inertia seatbelts for safety. Original radio installed but not hooked up. New triplex windshield. New wiring harness and electrical accessories throughout.
Series 1 Upgrades! – The engine has been uprated to Series 1 specs with smooth cam covers and a NEW set of triple SU carbs and intake manifold that are micro-polished to a mirror finish! Finally, the flawless original bonnet was returned to factory Series 1 covered headlamps with one of our conversion kits.
Runs, drives, and sounds better than when it left the factory gates!
George’s team built a similar red Series 2 roadster last Summer – also with Series 1 upgrades, and just as beautiful! The new owner of that car has been driving the wheels off of it – over 10,000 miles in the past 12 months without so much as the turn of one screw required! That’s ALOT of miles to put on an E-Type in one year – I drive mine ALL THE TIME and I did about 2,000! Everyone who drives or rides in it RAVES over the experience, and this new E-Type he has created promises to be just as captivating – Don’t miss it!
SO – If you’re tired of wading through dozens of “restored” E-types that turn out to be a disaster upon closer inspection, and just wish you could go back in time and buy one NEW, then look no further – this is it! The price is QUITE reasonable in my opinion considering the quality – you would be HARD PRESSED to find one – or build one – even close to this quality for the asking price…
One phone call and a trip to see George at Authorized Imported Cars in Flemington, NJ, and you’ll be behind the wheel of the red E-Type roadster you always dreamed of!
George Hughes – Authorized Imported Cars
(908) 268-8108
-
- Here she is! If you’ve always wanted a red E-type roadster, and wished you could just go back in time and buy one NEW, then THIS is the one for you!
-
- The body has been meticulously restored by professionals who do the job RIGHT! These guys use our panels exclusively, and know what they are doing – they NEVER cut corners, and work with us very closely during the metalwork phase. This one was REALLY clean, though, and actually required very little metalwork anyway!
-
- This is a 1968 Series 1.5, so it still sports the unspoiled Series 1 tail.
-
- The car still has it’s original matching-number engine. As a Series 1.5, it was originally delivered with ribbed cam covers and 2 Zenith-Stromberg carbs. However, George and his team have taken the engine bay back to full Series 1 specs – installing smooth cam covers and NEW triple SU carbs and intake. Other improvements under the bonnet include an aluminum Ron Davis radiator and a high-torque starter, plus a new electronic distributor – among others. Also note the high level of restoration apparent in this shot – ALL NEW frame rails from E-Type Fabs, performance tires on wider, NEW stainless steel spoked center lace Dayton knock-offs, and paint everywhere that looks like liquid Gold! But while it will BLOW AWAY the competition at any local show, this E-Type was built to RUN – QUICKLY!
-
- The interior is ALL NEW black leather, carpets, and trim. And sitting in the cockpit, you’ll appreciate the improved control of the thicker 15″ steering wheel, the clamping force of the Wilwood brake calipers, and the strong hold of the improved handbrake connections in the rear. A quick turn of the key ignites the freshly rebuilt XK DOHC engine – ready to put some SERIOUS wind in your hair and smiles on the faces of you – and especially – your passenger!
-
- Sitting out in front of the shop, this E-Type proudly shows off it’s all-original – and 100% undamaged – bonnet, which has been correctly converted to Series 1 covered headlamps using one of our kits!
-
- And just in case you’re wondering if this was a simple respray – it wasn’t… She is still carrying almost all of her original sheetmetal – including the floors! It’s PERFECT – and properly coated to last a lifetime!
-
- This last photo was taken at the shop owner’s farm, after a recent shake-down run – of which he admitted he has taken QUITE a few – “I LOVE this thing – it’s a great one! But she better find a new home soon, or my wife is never going to let me part with her!”
