Hello everyone!

A little backstory:
I have a 1965 series 1 LHD E-Type coupe. It was registered previously in Minnesota as a 65, but when I shipped it down to Arizona 7 years ago, the MVD for some reason registered it as a 66. However, recent research I've done confirmed it as a 65. Anyway, it's a complete car with a relatively straight, yet worn body, with rust and decay underneath. I drove it a little when I first bought it, but due to a small ignition issue as well as difficulty keeping the engine tuned in AZ Summers, I haven't driven it in a long time. I now want to start spending quality time with her.

The primary issue I have is that it has a custom-spec'ed Ford 289 engine that has been in it a long time, is fast, but doesn't really suit the car. A local Brit shop owner once convinced me to try and get a 3.8 for it, but apparently its native powerplant was a 4.2.

So my questions are:
1) Should I enjoy it as-is and just drive it to club events?
2) Put a 3.8 or 4.2 in it?
3) Try and track down the matching-number original engine? (I know this would be seemingly impossible, but highly rewarding $$$$ in the long run.)

I know your first thought will be "it depends"...upon my goals with the car, budget, etc. I guess my answer would be, my budget is very small for now. On one hand, I would be happy with a cool (pardon the expression) "rat rod" with unresto'ed exterior with a focus on a good-looking/running engine. On the other hand, I'd love the opportunity to return her to her original beauty with matching engine and full, body-off resto (wouldn't we all?).

So what would YOU do?

Thank you. I appreciate any input and/or advice any of you may offer.
-Mike Peters

p.s. If there's anyone from the Phoenix or Arizona area, please get in touch!

Submitted by rballard4@kc.rr.com on Fri, 05/23/2014 - 22:58

Very personal decision here, but I agree that use whatever you can get for this candidate for a proven winner, and you will be many dollars ahead. Its not really a jaguar as it sits, its a body /ghost with a Ford motor , It will likely never be right no matter what you spend in restoration
Rob B. Lenexa, 73 E Type Coupe v-12 -22,000 original miles

Submitted by meering@comcast.net on Fri, 05/23/2014 - 20:52

I have come late to this discusion ,Iam just about three forths the way through a basket case restoration of a series one o.t.s. other posters are right , big expence, great satisfaction,and the experance of learning about the car.also correct must have a jaguar engine ,as your car will always be a nonmatching numbers car , if it was me i have many times wondered what an e type would be like with a fuel injected engine from a series three saloon, just a thought, have fun j.a.m.

Submitted by howardbollinge… on Sun, 03/16/2014 - 09:43

Mike, Joel is spot on. His comments reflect almost exactly what I did starting on my car back in 1970. You will have great fun but..... it won't be without some frustrations along the way!

Submitted by NC98-56048 on Sat, 03/15/2014 - 16:13

Mike; Most of us can't lay down big money to buy something outright. The previous posters are correct with advice to buy the best one you can afford and don't expect to make money on resale.
Now, if you want to do or are able to do your own work at a slower pace you can restore the car to your satisfaction with less outright pain in the pocket book. Cost about the same but you have the pleasure of doing the work, your labor is cheap and you have time.
Get the books and read them so you have an idea what you are up against and if you are in the same frame of mind to restore it then start in, most would suggest you get a 4.2 engine, make sure the sub frame is good if not a new one will cost $3,000 and take care of body rust, then continue with the rest. The cost is significant but spread out over time.
If you have to hire someone to do all of it you are talking big dollars.
My opinion only and it is worth what you paid for it. Good luck, Joel.

Submitted by bfahnest@gmail.com on Sat, 03/15/2014 - 11:24

Mike another two cents or is that sense coming our way. You can spend many and I mean many tens of thousands getting this car right. chances are they did a butcher job on the space frame that supports everything in front of the firewall. The frame alone could run you several thousand. You said there is some rust and rot here and there under the car. What you see is probably just the beginning. My suggestion is to find someone else who wants this car and you go spend forty to fifty grand on a good driver in solid shape with good records of maintenance etc. You will be money ahead honest

Good luck Bruce

Submitted by DavidBarnes71@… on Sat, 03/15/2014 - 11:01

The Jaguar 4.2 XK engine is one of if not the best engine ever made. The combination of smooth power, loads of torque, docile nature, racing pedigree and that wonderful sound are hard to beat. Some say the 3.8 is better but since I have never driven one I will reserve judgement. I would only ever consider having a XK engine in a Series 1 or 2 E. My 2 cents

David Barnes
68 E-Type FHC

Submitted by howardbollinge… on Sat, 03/15/2014 - 08:14

Mike, You can see a lot of pix of my car on xkedata.com. Enter car # 875864 at top left, click go. Be sure to click on "show all slides".

Howard B

Submitted by howardbollinge… on Sat, 03/15/2014 - 07:37

Mike , Godfrey is right. It's your question to answer, we cannot answer for you but here are my thoughts.
I think it relates to how much you really love the marque! I would never let an E exist in my ownership with any other engine than a Jaguar engine. My first Jaguar was a 120 bought in 1957. I've had a total of 8.
I bought my 61 OTS, #865864 in 1970 for $1100. It had a later 4.2 engine/transmission installed, slightly bashed bonnet assembled with a mix of different outer valances and center section, later seats etc. it was in primer and sounded close to the condition of you car.
The pursuit to find the original engine, to me, seemed to be worthless, if not impossible, effort.
Over the past 43 years I have tastefully restored the car in a modified way, staying within what I feel is, "Jaguar sensibility". I enter in JCNA shows in Class S3 - Modified Jaguar engined cars.
Again, my opinion, doing an E as a rat rod would be total blasphemy, as is leaving the Ford engine in the car.
I would start by doing cosmetic work, painting etc. Save up the $ and find a 4.2 engine, have a good mechanic verify it so you KNOW it is good! Leave the Ford in till the 4.2 is ready for install. In the Arizona "dry", you should be able to drive it even while you're working on stripping paint etc. Once you get it painted, it gives a great lift to your enthusiasm for the project. That's always been my experience.
Once you install that 4.2, then you are on your way! I have enjoyed every one of the last 43 years doing things on my car.
That's what I would do, but that is up to you!

Submitted by artrageus@shaw.ca on Sat, 03/15/2014 - 05:59

In the words of one of the 'personal development 'gurus..What is the experience you are looking for ? It is only once each of us is clear in our vision that the way forward is obvious. There is no right or wrong answer.