1964 Jaguar XKE

Editor's Note: Ken Gross, a well-known and respected automotive journalist whose expertise extends from new cars to vintage hot rods, may be best known for his knowledge of classic cars. He recently stepped down from running the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles to pursue his writing, so we asked Ken to select "affordable" classics and tell us a little about them and why we should consider owning one.


Here's his selection criteria in his own words: "We are speaking of cars many people would love to have—head-turners, trend-setters in their time, cars that people still see and smile, cars that were definitive in their own right, stylish, fun-to-drive. I wanted cars at least 25-years old that can be registered and insured cheaply and not subject to annual inspections. I tried to choose models that had a good chance of further appreciating."



This month's selection is the Jaguar XKE illustrated with photographs of Jaguar restorer and historian, Terry Larsen's '66 E-Type.


The voluptuous E-Type was the car that propelled Britain's Jaguar into the modern era—fully independent suspension, tightly drawn monococque body, big disc brakes, powerful 3.4 and later 3.8-liter twin-cam sixes with the lineage of the legendary C and D-Type racers—were all contributing factors. This gorgeous model influenced every contemporary sports car competitor and it transformed Jaguar from an interesting specialist sports car purveyor to a world class competitor.


The coupe was attractive, but most enthusiasts yearned for the gorgeous roadster. Unfortunately, over the years, the E-Type gained weight (and engine size) and its nimbleness and svelte good looks were diminished. Purists insist on the earlier models and eschew the later cars. Finely restored examples fetch many times their original price. Interestingly, the E-Type is a favorite among noted auto journalists. Owners include Car and Driver's Csaba Csere and Pat Bedard and Road & Track's Richard Baron. Beware of hidden rust, fiddly Lucas "Prince of Darkness" electrics—and know that this car's complexity can lead to expensive restoration challenges. Figure at least $30-$40,000 for a good car and $50,000+ for a top-notch example.

Resource
CPI (Cars of Particular Interest), www.cpivalueguide.com