Here is a good resource to check out E Type serial numbers:

XKE Data - Search Results - Jaguar E-Type (XKE) information, articles, photos and register

They record 18,351 individual Jaguar E-Types.

BEWARE some of the 'history' is rubbish.

On my old car, a complete racing history of lies was concocted.

Check out car number 860166 for this fanciful history

Jaguar reliability
 

Don't worry about reliability. Just tuck a couple of $100 bills in your wallet somewhere to pay the tow truck. An XKE is one of the all time great cars that everyone should own at least once! If I ever sell my 911 the money is going straight into an E Type! For a forum, try Jag-lovers.org.

E type
 

Hi trader 220, dont be put off , go for it , If you get a good example ,and good model
you will never regret it. $70 grand will get you a nice example.Here is my opinion
i have owned two years ago both in California,one a 1963 coupe,and the other later on
a 1966 coupe, both series one, the differents is in the driving,the 66 was far better car
to drive ,although it has the bigger 4.2 engine,was still better than the older 3.8,because
it has a better gearbox, synchro in first es well.Did not feel any faster than the 63, but
was better all round.Dont be put off about how reliable they are , the lucas electrics
can be a problem,but that is only about $300 to change out.Fantastic to drive,alot of
power ,and can really handle, as they have inboard rear brakes,the strongest diff made
thats why hot rodders fit them, the engine is terrific easy to service .Probably the most critical item to check when buying, is the body and rust,like most cars, inner sills ,rear
under by gas tank,etc,etc, repairs to chassis any where. good luck.

These cars look & feel great. Get a good example.

"THE VERY FIRST JAGUAR E-TYPE right-hand drive production Fixed Head Coupe was chassis 860001. With such provenance and age, you’d think it would deserve to be treated with kid gloves, especially when so many of its less illustrious successors live out their lives in pampered and cocooned luxury.

However, Chassis 860001 restored by UK restorers Classic Motor Cars Ltd has been taken to Germany and driven at 146mph (235km/h) on an autobahn.

David Franklin was attempting to match the 150mph reached by an E-Type along a Belgian motorway in 1961. He came tantalizingly close.

David said: “I saw 146mph and it was still accelerating when I had to back off because of cars and lorries in the distance. When you’re travelling at that speed you have to err on the side of caution. You’re catching other traffic up quite quickly and you have to remember that there’s no ABS, although the brakes felt strong and progressive. It would comfortably have reached 150mph. Of that, I have absolutely no doubt.”

See some good pics at:

https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car-news/historic-jaguar-e-type-maxed-out-in-germany/

Climbing in, out and on things is fun when you are ten. But not so fun when you get older. So if you don't fit comfortably what good is it to you?

True - but could be a Fountain of Youth experience!!

Girls in those days had a demure way of getting into & out of Jag E Types.

English actress Joanna Lumley (Avengers) said she learnt how to get in and out of an E-type Jaguar, without flashing her panties, at modelling school. ;)

When I got mine, the seller said he had a stick under the seat to beat off the ugly girls. I am glad I fell for his sales pitch.

I currently have an 1968 Series 1.5 E type Fixed Head Coupe (FHC) ,XKE for the USA market.....Both Porsches and Jags are completely different. If you seriously want an E type, GO FOR IT!!!!!

The OTS (Open two seater) AKA Convertibles esp Series 1cars 1962-1968 will always demand more $$$ than the coupe, but stay away from automatic and 2+2 series. I prefer the Coupes and in my opinion the lines flow well in a E type FHC rather than a OTS

Here is my car ....video was produced by the PO when he was selling it. Pale Primerose Yellow is the "official color name"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC95iKn1nNY

Gordon, stunning car.

Thanks! I was fortunate to be at the right place and right time with luck thrown in there!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1468770939.jpg


I love them. This is my Moms 68 BRG FHC. This picture is from the late 80s. I drove it to my prom in 1985.

Note the 69 GTO in the garage, and you can't see my dads 71 911..... My parents ruined me from an early age.....

Have owned two Jags in my past life, a XK120 OTS & a XK150 DHC. Regret selling both cars but the military career got in the way. Now that I'm retired an XKE might satisfy a need that Gordons stunning coupe created in the lustful part of my soul.

Someone runs an E Type at the local PCA LPR Autocross. He ran yesterday. Once the results are posted, you would probably find his times here: Autocross 2016 Season « Loma Prieta Region – Porsche Club of America

local. currency: Canadian pesos.
Jaguar E-Type - Castanet Classifieds

That's awesome!

Xke
 

Hi Trader 220,
I say go for it they are great cars. I presently own a 1968 FHC that I have owned since 1981, and previously owned a 1968 convertible. Last year of the series 1 cars although many call them series 1.5 because of the transition between the series 1 and series 2.
Personally I prefer the coupe as with my Porsches.
For $70K you should be able to get a very nice series 1 and an even better series 2.
Just like with Porsche there are some very expensive parts, and some of the service is costly Ex: changing a clutch requires engine removal.
Check for rust as you would with any old car but with an E-Type look very closely at the front subframe tubes. Costly to replace but all parts are available.
Contrary to popular perception, I have never had electrical problems with 68Coupe. The roadster... yes.
The problem is that the cars were originally very inexpensive to buy, but the servicing was very expensive. So many people decided to do the repairs themselves and improve on the lucas electrical on their own. Luckily no one messed with my car 's electric prior to me buying it.
I purchase the car in 1981, did a rolling restoration on it, and my wife and I put 60,000 miles on it. She drove it to college, and then I drove it to work every day for 3 years 45 miles each way. Always reliable. The car is in storage now and we don't drive it as much. Needs new tires and a tune up.
The E-Types are fast, smooth, and handle well ( a little nose heavy with a bit of understeer), and they look great.
When the E-Type was first introduced Enzo Ferrari said that this was the most beautiful car in the world. Go for it and enjoy. Good luck with your search and please post a photo when you get one.

+1

Not a lot I can add here other than check to see you actually fit one. I had a '61 flat floor roadster up until last year and at 6' my line of sight was right at the top of the windshield. Any taller and you are looking over the windshield. Early Moss gearboxes have an action akin to a Lee Enfield .303 and nothing can be rushed about changes but it's such a great motor that you don't need to use the box that often. Early brakes are poopy so I fitted wilwoods. And obviously it's probably the most beautiful car ever made especially in coupe form. Don't die without owning one if you can afford the scratch.