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Family-Owned 1965 Jaguar XKE Series I Coupe Heads to Auction
A 1965 Jaguar XKE Series I 4.2 Coupe, kept in the same family for nearly six decades, is being offered for sale with a Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate and extensive service records.
By George Kensington · 4 min read
A 1965 Jaguar XKE Series I 4.2 Coupe, held by one family for nearly six decades, is being offered for sale, presenting a rare opportunity for collectors of classic British sports cars. The car was acquired by the seller’s father around 1967 and passed to the current owner in June 1978, meaning it has remained within the same household for 59 years. Finished in Opalescent Maroon over a beige leather interior, the coupe is powered by a 4.2-liter inline-six engine paired with a four-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential.
The XKE Series I is widely regarded as one of the most iconic designs in automotive history, and this example retains many of the features that made the model famous. It includes enclosed headlights, a louvered clamshell hood, wraparound chrome bumpers, triple windshield wipers, and a side-hinged rear hatch. The car rides on 15-inch wire-spoke wheels secured by two-eared knock-offs and fitted with Yokohama Avid Ascend tires. Braking is handled by four-wheel discs with inboard-mounted rear rotors and Wilwood front calipers and rotors, while Boge shocks are fitted at all four corners. The seller notes that the steering feels heavy, a characteristic some enthusiasts associate with the car’s original setup.
Inside, the cabin features bucket seats upholstered in beige leather, color-coordinated door panels and carpets, and a wood-rimmed steering wheel. The dashboard houses a Smiths 160-mph speedometer and a 6k-rpm tachometer, along with auxiliary gauges for coolant temperature, oil pressure, fuel level, and amperage. An aftermarket cassette radio has been fitted in the center console. The seller notes that the heater has not been used in many years and may be rusted. The five-digit odometer shows 35,000 miles, with approximately 300 of those added under current ownership.
Under the hood, the 4.2-liter inline-six features triple SU carburetors, a spin-on oil filter, and Pertronix electronic ignition. Recent maintenance in May 2025 included replacing the header tank, fan belt and pulley, and cooling hoses. The cylinder head stamping 7E4238-9 is shown in the listing, and a corresponding number is listed on the Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate. The fuel tank has been coated with epoxy, and the car is equipped with an Ansa quad-outlet exhaust system.
The exterior shows signs of age and use, with the seller noting evidence of prior repairs below the left headlight, dents on the hood, and damage on the lower edge of the air inlet. There are also prior mounting holes on the hood, and paint checking and other blemishes are visible in close-up photos. These imperfections are typical of a car that has been driven and enjoyed rather than kept in museum condition.
The sale includes a Jaguar Heritage Trust Production Record Trace certificate, which confirms the original colors and drivetrain numbers as well as the build and dispatch dates. Also included are the owner’s manual, service records, spare parts, a tool kit, a car cover, and a clean Michigan title in the seller’s name. With its long family ownership, documented history, and desirable Series I specification, this XKE represents a compelling entry point for collectors seeking a genuine piece of British motoring heritage.
