This Wrecked Jaguar Series 1 E-Type Is Begging You To Turn It Into A Vintage Race Car

Jaguar’s iconic E-Type sports car was derived from the three-time Le Mans-winning D-Type racing car, and in the later 1960s turned into a fairly successful racing car in its own right. It was, and remains, one of the most beautiful cars ever to set wheel to road, and in its day was significantly less expensive than competition from Porsche, Ferrari, or Aston Martin. This late Series 1 roadster is the real sweet spot of production as it got the torque-monster 4.2-liter inline six engine. Just 6,749 4.2-liter roadsters (known in the Jag crowd as OTS, or Open Two Seaters) were built. They regularly trade hands deep in the six figures, but this beautiful blue example could be yours at a very deep discount.

Currently up for auction on Copart, this 1967 E-Type OTS is just begging for someone to turn it into a manic vintage track monster. You could be that person. You’ve got what it takes, if you ask me. Just look deep inside yourself and you’ll find the kind of person who takes on the restoration and modification of a 57-year-old British car. Nobody who has ever done that has regretted it.

Just look at this slick photograph of racer Bob Tullius and his Group 44-prepared B Production SCCA race car. This wrecked example is a mere few months away from such an extravagant recommissioning. You could hand-mold some fiberglass flares, procure a lightweight racing bonnet, strip the interior, top, windshield, and dashboard out of this lightly-bonked example, and be your own Bob Tullius in short order. It’s not delusional to think these thoughts at all, you’re totally capable enough (and rich enough) to pull this off. It won’t even cost that much money, right?

Would you look at that? The chassis looks straight as an arrow. Pay no attention to the wrinkles in the driver’s side rocker panel or the dramatically offset steering rack. All of that can be fixed with a simple chain and a come-along. You’ll get it back up and on the race track in no time flat. You can do this. Probably. Maybe. Well, just sleep on it, will ya?