British Brilliance: 1970 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Series II – Sold?

January 7, 2022 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

December 2, 2021 Update – We just spotted a new listing for this ’70 Jaguar XKE that replaces the original expiring Craigslist ad.  The pictures, description, and asking price of $59,500.

Fun fact: While the Jaguar E-Type is known simply by that brand name in Europe, the company elected to call it the “XKE” in the U.S. market. Regardless of what you call it, just about everyone agrees it’s one of the most beautiful cars ever made. Jaguar XKEs stop me in my tracks whenever I get the opportunity to look at one in person. While the original Series I cars produced from 1961 through 1967 are the cleanest versions from an exterior styling standpoint, Series II cars such as this driver quality, white over black leather, 1970 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Series II roadster originally listed in November 2021 on Craigslist in New Milford, Connecticut is just as pretty despite its concessions to U.S. safety regulations.

Offered at $59,500 currently, comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their XKE priced between this guide’s #4 “Fair” (Daily Driver) estimate of $50,800 and its #3 “Good” appraisal of $86,400. Similarly, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #4 “Fair” estimate of $41,000 and its #3 “Good appraisal of $60,000.

Jaguar produced the E-Type sports car in three distinct series between 1961 and 1974.  The E-Type’s claimed 150 mph top speed, sub-seven-second naught-to-sixty acceleration, unitary construction, disc brakes, rack-and-pinion steering, and fully independent suspension distinguished the car and spurred industry-wide changes. The E-Type was based on Jaguar’s D-Type racing car, which had won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for three consecutive years beginning in 1955 and employed what was, for the early 1960s, a novel racing design principle, with a front subframe carrying the engine, front suspension and front bodywork bolted directly to the body tub. No ladder frame chassis, as was common at the time, was needed, and as such the first cars weighed only 2,000 pounds.

Launched for model year 1968, the Series 2 introduced a number of design changes, largely due to U.S. National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration mandates.  The most distinctive exterior feature is the absence of the glass headlight covers, which affected several other imported cars, such as the Citroën DS, as well. Unlike other cars, this step was applied worldwide for the E-Type.  Other hallmarks of Series 2 cars are a wrap-around rear bumper, larger front indicators and tail lights re-positioned below the bumpers, and an enlarged grille and twin electric fans to aid cooling.  Additional U.S.-inspired changes included a steering lock that moved the ignition switch to the steering column, replacing the dashboard-mounted ignition and push-button starter, the symmetrical array of metal toggle switches replaced with plastic rockers, and a collapsible steering column to absorb impact in the event of an accident. New seats allowed the fitment of head restraints, as required by U.S. law beginning in 1969.

The engine is easily identified visually by the change from smooth polished cam covers to a more industrial “ribbed” appearance. It was de-tuned in the US with twin two-barrel Strombergs replacing three SUs. Combined with larger valve clearances horsepower was reduced from 265 to 246 and torque from 283 to 263.  Air conditioning and power steering were available as factory options.

We came across this well-produced video of a similar 1970 Jaguar XKE 4.2 Serries II on the Machines & Macchiatos Media YouTube Channel:

With so many E-Types now over-restored to the point of not being usable in fear of the car losing value, it’s refreshing to come across a nicely maintained, driver-quality 1970 Jaguar XKE Series II 4.2 Roadster.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1970 Jaguar XKE E-type Roadster White with Black interior. 57,000 miles. Numbers matching. Great Running example. The nose and rear trunk lid should be painted but the car shows well otherwise. Service history since the early 1990’s which includes motor refresh and clutch replacement along with other maintenance. Last of the series 2 six-cylinder cars. If this was a series 1 the price would be well over $100,000, even really nice series 2 Jaguars go for close to or over $100,000.“

Show or go: what would you do with this driver-quality E-Type Jaguar?  Comment below and let us know!