1967 Jaguar XKE Coupe #34054
SPECIFICATIONS
- Year1967
- MakeJaguar
- ModelXKE Coupe
- Serial Number34054
We are pleased to offer 1967 Jaguar XKE Coupe s/n 34054, a nicely upgraded and improved later Series 1 XKE Coupe with matching-numbers and a Jaguar Heritage Certificate. All mechanical and suspension upgrades were done by Jason Len, owner of XK’s Unlimited in San Luis Obispo, the well known and well respected XKE experts. As enthusiast know, the original E-Type was unveiled in March of 1961 at the Geneva Motor Show, initially for export only, and was an instant sensation. Its specifications were then state-of-the-art, its bodywork was, and still is, stunningly gorgeous and the price surprisingly affordable at $5,670 USD, making the E-Type a user-friendly and wallet-friendly instant icon of automotive history. With 265 hp and 283 lb ft of torque, top speed was stated as 150 mph with a sub-7 second 0-to-60 mph sprint, state-of-the-art performance for it’s time!
XKE Coupe s/n 34054 was completed on 28 December, 1966 and first dispatched on 11 Jan., 1967 to Jaguar Cars of New York, with a dark blue exterior and a light blue-grey interior. As a later Series I car factory updates included the larger 4.2 liter engine with increased torque, a quiet, smooth shifting, fully synchronized gearbox, much improved brakes and brake booster, more comfortable reclining seats, an alternator, improved radiator cooling fans, an electrical system with a negative ground and, of course, the last model-year of the very desirable covered headlights. Jaguar’s Le Mans winning racing heritage was obvious with independent suspension all around (at a time when Ferrari still used solid rear axles), disc brakes all around (inboard at the rear to reduce unsprung weight), and, of course, Jaguar’s legendary high-torque, smooth running, twin cam inline-6.
Little is known of the history of 1967 Jaguar XKE s/n 34054 from 1967 to 2001 but it is believed she was a one-owner car when sold to her second and current owner in 2001. In 2011 XKE Coupe s/n 34054 was treated to a painted-on light grey two-part racing stripe with painted-on white roundels with a thin black border. The current race number, 53, is a decal and can be easily changed. XKE Coupe s/n 34054 was next shipped to Jason Len, the owner of XK’s Unlimited in San Luis Obispo, for a full inspection and mechanical upgrades. The goal was to make XKE Coupe s/n 34054 more fun to drive on classic car rally’s, with more performance and the ability to easily keep up with other cars. As per a video made in 2011 by Jason Len of XK’s Unlimited, the bolt-on front sub-frame had the usual small cracks one expects on any fifty-eight year old XKE and so the entire front sub-frame was replaced with a new and stronger front sub frame, which was painted to color-match before installation. The front suspension was also rebuilt and fitted with polyurethane bushings for a tight and more positive feel and improved steering response. The front sway bar was upgraded for a stiffer suspension and better handling and the front shocks were replaced with adjustable gas shocks. The rear suspension was also upgraded with stiffer springs and a stiffer sway bar plus four adjustable gas rear shocks with adjustable spring and ride height. The front torsion bars were fitted with adjustable torsion plates so that the ride height could be raised or lowered and all corner weights could be adjusted and equalized. Heavy duty wire wheels a half inch wider were installed for improved traction and handling, which required a re-shaping of the inner rear wheel well. A new set of wider KUMHO 225/60R 15 Ecsta tires was installed, putting more rubber to the ground while bigger Wilwood brake calipers were installed to haul it down when needed! Click on https://vimeo.com/1110097230 for Jason Len’s video of the mechanical work done.
As per a second video, Jason Len also went over the mechanical upgrades which included a performance boost to about three-hundred horsepower. An set of XK’s unlimited Big-bore stainless steel headers and a big-bore free-flowing exhaust system were added. The rear resonators were also removed for a freer-flowing exhaust and a better exhaust sound. Slightly more aggressive cams were installed and a trio of 45 DCOE Weber carbs were installed. An electronic ignition was also installed. The combination improved acceleration, raised the top end, yet was smooth and docile enough for normal street driving. While with Jason an XK’s Unlimited designed four point roll bar was installed both for safety reasons and adding considerably to the stiffness of the cockpit and chassis. Period correct quick-release racing seat belts were also installed with shoulder straps for the driver. The front and rear bumpers were removed for a vintage racer look. Click on https://vimeo.com/1110097847 for Jason Len’s video of the suspension work done by XKs Unlimited.
A quick walk-around XKE coupe s/n 34054 shows the straight body, the very nice paint and excellent panel fit. A peek at the all-leather interior shows it to have an excellent patina while the XKs Unlimited roll bar has been painted to match the leather! Lifting the front bonnet shows that the front bonnet is damage and repair-free. The block, transmission, data plate and the body tag are all numbers matching, with chassis number 1E 34054, engine number 7E 11725-9 and body number 4E 25567. The inside of the bonnet, cooling system, front suspension and engine assembly are all correct and original, only the Weber carbs and free-flowing air cleaners show the upgrades. Opening the trunk shows the spare wheel and tire and the original jack in it’s vinyl storage bag. On a hoist the under panels, stainless steel exhaust system, brakes and suspension are clean, rust free and damage free! Today XKE coupe s/n 34054 shows only 70,891 kms miles! In addition to the two videos made by Jason Len of XKs unlimited, 1967 Jaguar XKE Coupe s/n 34054 was also featured in an eight-plus minute video on Petrolicious on 07 April, 2020, where the owner explained his XKE Coupe’s nickname, “Gwendoline” as s/n 34054 purrs through the back roads and hills of LA County! Click on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2yCiUcvuYE for the Petrolicious video.
Ready for a test drive? Open the door and slide into the form-fitting front seat. Turn the key and the engine starts easily, runs smoothly on idle and makes much more top-end power thanks to the Weber carbs. Pull onto the road and the transmission shifts easily and smoothly through all gears, both up and down, while the suspension is substantially more firm and positive that an a normal XKE at both cornering and highway speeds while the Wilwood brake calipers inspire confidence. The steering, brakes, and suspension are all well sorted, work in harmony and are delightful to drive. Today XKE s/n 34054 is ready for a local cars and coffee or a weekend road rally. Add in the timeless styling, low cost (in our world of Ferraris) and XKE s/n 34054 offers massive bang for the buck from the best of the early-1960s user-friendly exotics.
