2012-01-08 09:05:02 | Philip Taxman writes:

just purchased xke from owner who had it for 23 years

2012-01-09 10:34:48 | pauls writes:

Ebay item 1/9/12
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-JAGUAR-XKE-3-TYPE-OTS-PRIMROSE-BLACK-INT-38K-MILES- ...
Current bid $15,000, no reserve, 1 bid 6 days left in auction.

Sellers description:
1974 XKE SERIES III OTS ROADSTER
37,000 MILES ON THIS TOTALL ORIGINALY E-TYPE!
I'm excited to offer this original 1974 Jaguar E-type Series III roadster. I am have been a collector of Jaguar automobiles for over 30 years and own 7 other Jaguars. I just found this car a couple of weeks ago and it is an excellent original car ready for some Tender Loving Car. It starts right up and runs and drives like a dream! It needs quite a few things, but is an incredible candidate for someone who wants to work on an E-Type while being able to drive it and participate in car club activities.
I purchase this Jaguar from a gentleman who bught it in 11/26/88 and only put 2,000 miles on it over the next 23 years. He had it service regularly by known local Jaguar people and our local dealership. I am every receipt from those 23 years (the file is 3 inches thick). He kept the car at his warehouse and drove it short distances on a regular basis. The car has the original Pale Primrose paint and black interior and the numbers are matching. This Jaguar is solid throughout. It is an original car and no attempt was every made to restore it or really do much other than keep it driving. Only 36,434 original miles show on the odometer, however, this stop working in 1997 according to the owner, (documented on labor bill), so I'm estimating the miledge. The car runs and drives excellent. DOES NOT PUT OUT ANY SMOKE FROM EXHAUST. This Jaguar has an original feel to it when you drive the car. I own and have toured regularly in my 1971, 1972, and 1973 XKEs and know how they are suppose to sound and drive. This is a good car! Nothing has the feel of an original Jaguar!

Paint/body: The paint is original. The is a dent/scrape on the right fender, some bubbles and cracks over the left rear wheel well, and normal dings around the car. There are a couple of chips on the louvres of the bonnet. According to the owner, a bale of paper was accidentally dropped on the left front fender and dented the fender and chrome headlight surround. On the inside lower part of both front fenders (the steel portion, this is a brown rust line.

The Chrome: The chrome is complete and in good original condition. The bumpers have a wee bit of dullness where the chrome is thin, but pitting. The front grill is in very good shape except for the top piece (which can be purchased separately, which has multiple dents. The chrome around the windshield, side windows and chrome strip above door are in excellent original condition. The chrome wire wheels and knock offs looks original and have NO RUST. Two of the knockoffs have thinning chrome, but all are in really good shape. The chrome wheel on the spare looks incredible. The chrome aftermarket luggage rack is in excellent condition, no rust.

Interior: The interior is mostly original. It looks like the carpets mats were replaced a long time ago. All the carpet is intact and is okay. The seats are original and the drivers seat has problems. The cushion is pretty much shot and the leather is splitting. A good amount of the foam in the headrests has gone. I took one off and restuffed it so it was usable. Black complete interior are cheap and if I were keeping this XKE, I would replace everything. This car does have A/C and the compressor seems to be working and all 3 speeds of the blower work. The previous owner says he never used the A/C in 23 years and never charged it. The A/C vent sleeve was broken and I repaired it. 2 or the 4 vents are perfect, the other two only okay. Definitely needs some attention. The rest of the dash is really quite nice. All the lights, fans, and guages work perfectly, with the exception of the Speedometer and the Clock. The radio in this car was removed years ago as were the speakers. The speaker wires are intact in the storage box behind the seats. The original owner cut out holes in the front facia of the storage box for 5X7 speakers. Steering wheel is original and fabulous! The vinyl boot over the convertible top is in good condition. The visors are wrinkled and need to be replaced.

Glass: The front windshield is amazing! No delamination and no chips. The door glass is very good.

Convertible Top/Boot: The convertible top is original and bad. It needs to be replaced. It is ripped in the back where it attaches and the plastic windown is dark brown and cracked. The bows and latches are fine.

Wheels/Tires: The chrome wire wheels are in very good original condition with only slight discoloration and look incredible for their age. The tires look great but are 15 years old. He just never drove the XKE much

Underside/floors: The underside and floors of this car are solid with no visible rust.

Engine Compartment: The engine compartment is totally original. It has never been detailed nor even cleaned. The frame rails and firewall in the engine compartment are body color (Pale Primrose) and just dirty and grimy. I sprayed some cleaner on a frame rail and the color came right up. No rust no scrapes. Has a very nice Stainless Steel Exhaust System and tail pipes are in great shape. Power Steering works fine and feels perfect. No squeel!

Spare tire Compartment: The spare tire compartment is very clean and in excellent rust free condition. The boot map is an aftermarket black carpet, in good shape. There is an original hammer and spinner removal tool, but the wrong jack. I took the front license plate holder off the front of the car and put it in the trunk, it looked awful.

Electrical: All of the following are workling: headlights, hi-beams, horn, turn signals, hazard lights, both speeds heater fan, map light (including when doors open), interior light, reverse lights, all gauges except speedometer, and all indicator lights are functioning perfectly.

Overall: This is a special original car. It is not definitely not for someone who is looking for a restored piece or a car that is a JCNA Concours car. It is an original piece, but NOT a tired old Jaguar. This car can and should be driven. If you are looking for a nice original Jaguar E-type to enjoy for a reasonable price, this might be the Jaguar for you.

Brakes: The brakes have been serviced regularly. They work fine but not as responsibe and they should be. Labor sheet from mechanic 10/1/10, states that slave cylinder is sticking and needs to be replaced.