1962 Jaguar XKE FHC Series 1---FLAT FLOOR--WELDED LOUVERS- RARE

Hello All.    Here is a fantastic opportunity to get into an early xke while the prices are still somewhat reasonable. This is an early feb of 62 car that has been hidden from the public eye for decades. With most of the early flat floor cars already being accounted for. this is quite the rare find. and will be a delight for someone to restore. Im not sure if ebay is the place for a car of this caliber. but here we go.     I am quite fond of classic cars and acquired this early fhc from a friend who was in a bind. and needed some cash quickly. but i am in no way am expert in early xke history. The story goes. The car was purchased from the back of a road and track magazine in 1965 for a father and son type weekend car. The car was enjoyed for many years and left to the son when the father passed. The jag was put away under cover and neglected until somewhat recently. My buddy purchased it with intent of a top level restoration but a family issue saw him needing cash. and that is where i came in. I love E types but have come to the reality that i do not need the holy grail of xke's. and she belongs in the hand of a true collector. Minimal work was done to bring her to where she sits today!    I was told to check to see if the car was numbers matching as that is a must for collectors and here is what i have found---The data plate gives an engine number of- R3129-9. i found this number on the block and head so she matches the data plate! The chassis number is also stamped on the passenger side of the rad support (picture window). and it is correct and matching as well. I have not been able to locate the gearbox or body number on the car and dont know where to look to see if its matching. The gearbox number on the plate is e02281js. and the body number is v1486.    Im sure whoever buys this car will do a thorough restoration and address all issues. but for the sake of disclosure here is what i have noticed with the car.     I have driven the car a bunch on sunny days. and she is a much more pure sports car than the series 2 i owned. The 3. 8 spins up quickly and she can really move! When the car was acquired she had only been started up sparingly over the years. but it didnt take much to get her going. The carbs were cleaned. fresh oil. and the gas tank was drained. With fresh gas she fired up. Actually runs pretty good! she idles nicely and revs up great. She is cold blooded. and needs to warm up for a bit before she likes to drive. and she does smoke a touch. but not bad and may clear up with more regular usage. Clutch and tranny work fine and she shifts through the gears well. Brakes work surprisingly well for a car that has been sitting. The jag stops straight and true. with pretty good feel. I have driven this car quite a bit and she has never let me down. and is a blast to drive. I wear a size 11. and in sneakers i can operate her just fine.    The interior is in obvious need of repair. Its not terrible but could stand to be redone. The seats have splits. carpet is worn. dash is not perfect. etc. etc. The interior appears to be mostly original with the exception of an awesome radio and speaker set up. and is missing the ashtray section. I was kidding. the radio is junk! Most gauges and switches function as they should. I do not believe that the speedo or tach are working but all other gauges function. The gas light even comes on when your low on fuel (dont ask how i know). the light comes on when you use the choke. the interior blinker lights come on when you use the blinker.  and even the interior lights illuminate when you open the door. amazing! All in all im sure this is a mute point as the new owner will redo the interior. but it seems to be all there. minus the ashtray. and a good jumping off point. I do have the chrome trim parts that go on the rockers to hold down the vinyl.    The body on the car had a amateur paint job some 35-40 years ago and it doesnt do the car any favors. The paint is bubbling in various places. but most is due to bad prep work and not rust issues. looks like the paint is just separating. There are some rust bubbles as well. but nothing to serious that i see. The trunk floor looks great. rockers look to be nice. etc. There are some spots. but like i said nothing crazy and you can see most everything in the pics. so look closely. Most of the chrome is in driver quality with some shinning up pretty nicely! I am missing the top and one side molding of windshield trim. Wire wheels are eh. and the tires im sure are 40 years old. All the lights work. Most of the weather stripping is in a poor state. The car does not appear to have any major crash damage. and holds true by still having the original rad support.      All in all this is a serious find. and a very rare car. These cars do not come up often in such a workable project condition. and as such i would love to see the car go to a proper enthusiast. With restored versions now bringing close to 200k. this project deserves a concourse resto. Please call me only if you are very serious about the car 425-802-8682. I reserve the right to end the auction at any time to sell to a local buyer. Im sure i forgot details so please email or call with any and all questions. Thanks for looking

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