Three Years Gone: 1971 Jaguar SII XKE Coupe – STILL $69,000

September 24, 2023 Update – The seller replaced their latest expiring Craigslist ad with a fresh listing.  The pictures, description, and asking price all remain the same.

August 9, 2023 Update – After not finding a buyer in the spring, the seller of this ’71 Jaguar E-Type Barn Door we’ve been tracking the sale of since August 2020 posed a new Craigslist ad.  The description remains a carry-over from prior examples, as well as the pictures and the already-lowered asking price of $69,000.

March 17, 2023, Update – While this “Classifind” expired recently, given the seller’s history, we suspect it may not actually be sold yet.  For now, we’re labeling this ride “Sold?” However, we will keep an eye out for an updated listing.

February 26, 2023 Update – We have been tracking the sale of this ’71 Jaguar E-Type Barn Door since the fall of 2020.  During that time, the seller periodically listed their car at $75,000 without budging. In their latest listing, they lowered their asking price to $69,000.  In their latest listing, they continue to use the same text that their original ad from 2020 contained.

December 16, 2020 Update – The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome.  Unfortunately, this seller continues to do that with a $75,000 asking price still on this barn door Jag if you notice that Porsche Targa in the garage pictures, that’s another car this seller has listed for $75,000.

November 24, 2020 Update – We just confirmed the private seller replaced their expired Craigslist ad with a fresh listing containing the same pictures, description, and asking price of $75,000.

October 16, 2020 Update: We just confirmed the private seller replaced their expired Craigslist ad with a fresh listing containing the same pictures, description, and asking price of $75,000

September 10, 2020 Update – this afternoon we learned the private seller created a fresh Craigslist post for their ’71 Jaguar “Barn Door” XKE Coupe. The private seller duplicates the content of their original listing, including the $75,000 asking price.  We note that the tangerine-colored Porsche Targa pictured next to this Jag has also been offered for a ridiculous $75,000 for some time, so with both cars for sale, you may be able to get attention if you provide a serious counteroffer based on the facts we supply you.

The Jaguar XKE.  Enzo Ferrari called the car “the most beautiful car in the world” when he first set eyes on it.  While the roadster versions get most of the glory, “Barn Door” Coupes, such as this white 1971 Jaguar E-Type  XKE 4.2L Barn Door for sale, first spotted for sale on Craigslist in August 2020 in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, are just as beautiful.  The current caretaker of the past ten years has his 48,000 original miles example currently listed for $69,000 (the original ask was $75,000).   A review of the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms this private seller has his XKE priced between the #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $84,400 and the #3 “Good” estimate of $41,000.

Jaguar produced its stunning E-Type, or XKE, in roadster and coupe versions in three distinct series between 1961 and 1975.  Its combination of beauty, high performance, and competitive pricing established the model as an icon of the motoring world. The E-Type’s claimed 150 mph top speed, sub-seven-second 0 to 60 mph acceleration, unit-body construction, disc brakes, rack-and-pinion steering, and fully independent suspension distinguished the car and encouraged industry-wide changes.

The Series 2 introduced in 1968 spurred a number of design changes largely due to the U.S. National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration’s new mandates.  The most distinctive exterior feature is the absence of glass headlight covers. 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 (which forced the move of the ignition switch to the column and replaced 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 also allowed the fitment of head restraints.

The engine is easily identified visually by the change from smooth polished cam covers to a more industrial “ribbed” appearance. To meet increasing U.S. emissions regulations, Jaguar de-tuned the US bound cars using twin two-barrel Strombergs in place of the former 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 like the seller’s description of what appears to be a very nicely maintained, low-mileage example featuring a properly redone interior.  We’re pleased to read about the updates made as well as the sale including the original parts needed to bring the car back to stock.  We would leave the cooling and oiling improvements in place while we removed the non-original stereo components.  At least for us, the sound of the inline-six at speed is all the music we need while muscling the non-assisted steering. Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Nice low mileage Jag. 4.3 Straight 6. 4-speed manual transmission. Triple SU Carb with big bore chrome exhaust and MSD6AL electronic ignition. Electric fan and brass radiator. 48K miles. Recent biscuit leather interior and Wilton carpets.

Built 70 XKE (1st titled in 1971) that I bought nearly 10 years ago. No power steering but it does have air conditioning. Features the 3 big SU carburetors. New big bore chrome exhaust headers and straight thru system – sounds amazing! 250+ hp Electronic ignition. New brass radiator and electric fans. Recent interior looks like it just rolled out of the factory! Original low milage – I bought it after the owner passed away. It had a secondary oil filter fitted. My mechanic said that he’d never seen an E-Type with such good compression. I have all the original parts if someone wants to turn this back into a show car. Extra set of deep wire wheels with racing tires. Also a set of whitewall cross-ply tires that have never been fitted. Looks incredible and stops traffic wherever I drive it.”

Do you have a Jaguar XKE Barn Door story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!