2004-02-15 09:26:05 | Lofty writes:

Ebay item 2/15/04
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll
Current bid $25,100.00 (Reserve not met), 7 bids, 8 days left in acution, 48k miles on the odo.

Sellers comment:
1970 JAGUAR XKE Car # 1R11604 Engine# 7R9146-9 Body# 4R6081 Gearbox# KE10385 This is a very nice, dry Arizona car. Finished in Deep Blue with Grey leather interior and Wilton wool carpet. Grey Everflex convertible top and boot cover and a factory original matching hardtop. This is a nicely restored car which was completed in 1998 and has been enjoyed ever since. I have receipts of $21,000 in upgrades and restoration from that period. Mechanically and cosmetically it is in top condition. It has original floors and sills that are solid. The car is being sold mileage exempt. It has chrome wires with new Michelin tires, period luggage rack, and Moto Lita steering wheel. I have all history since new. It comes with workshop manual, owners handbook, British Leyland Passport and Service booklet and a car cover. This Jaguar would make a great car to have and enjoy and will only appreciate in value.

2005-08-24 18:20:41 | lemb writes:

This ebay information is now very much out of date. I purchased the car in June 2004. It is/was a very nice example, being better than 95% original, no rust, good paint, interior. Most electricals had already been renewed. What had been completely ignored (as is often the case) was the suspension/steering areas. It is fairly common for owners to ignore the stuff that can't be "seen". I spent the winter of 04-05 completely renewing the suspension and steering components, replacing old fuse boxes, taking care of the odd items that did not work. I also stripped the interior to examine the floors and ended up giving the whole thing a good coating of POR 15 to protect the original metal from eastern humidity.
This winter I will rebuild the engine, including having it balanced & blueprinted. I am kicking around installing a new five speed tranny from classic jag to improve long distance driving. I will keep the original tranny, of course, for "value" purposes. The goal is to have a car with high reliability and maximum drivability that also looks fantastic. Plus I just enjoy working on these cars.
Look for it next year at some shows.