1964 Jaguar XKE Coupe Lightweight Tribute

This 1964 Jaguar XKE coupe spent more than four decades with its single owner (Jason Len of XK’s Unlimited)  prior to 2022, during which time it was converted for race and track duty by that owner’s shop (XK’s Unlimited)  in San Luis Obispo, California, and campaigned at various tracks across the country. It was purchased by a New York client in 2022 from Jason Len and subsequent work intended to prepare the car for street use involved fabricating a wiring harness, installing exterior LED lighting, revising the suspension, repairing oil leaks, installing bucket seats, and re-trimming portions of the interior. The car has since spent time in New York and Arizona. Power is provided by a custom-built 4.0L inline-six that is equipped with triple Weber side-draft carburetors and is linked to a replacement five-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential. The car is finished in silver and features aluminum bodywork, flared rear fenders, a widened rear track, adjustable suspension, Dunlop center-spline wheels, polycarbonate windows, a roll cage, and a fire-suppression system.

The body is finished in silver and fitted with a hand-built lightweight aluminum hood and doors along with Lightweight-style rear fender flares. Polycarbonate was used for the rear and side windows, the bumpers have been removed, and further additions include a side-exiting exhaust system with removable mufflers, a centralized Monza-style fuel filler, and cooling ducts. In April 2022, a wiring harness was fabricated to allow connections for the headlights, brake lights, turn signals, fog lights, and reverse light. Lenses and gaskets were replaced, and LED bulbs were added.

Braking is handled by XKE Series III-sourced vented rotors matched with alloy four-piston racing calipers up front and vented rotors with Series II-sourced calipers at the rear. The braking system is equipped with a dual-circuit master cylinder, an adjustable balance beam, and stainless-steel hoses.

Suspension modifications include adjustable Koni shocks, heavy-duty sway bars front and rear with heim-jointed adjustable links, Delrin bushings, and heavy-duty torsion bars with custom quick-action height adjusters. The rear track has been widened 2? and further updates include a custom-fabricated independent rear suspension location system and modified rear lower A-arms. Taller rear springs were installed and the front suspension was adjusted in 2022.

The bucket seats were installed after the previous auction and are trimmed in black leather with diamond-pattern stitching. A Simpson five-point harness is fitted for the driver, while a Simpson lap belt is fitted for the passenger. Upholstery was added to the rear quarter arches, sail covers, and side panels, a fresh-air vent was installed on the left side of the dashboard, and the kill switch was relocated to the right of the dashboard. A roll cage is equipped, and a fire suppression system and a differential breather vent catch tank remain in the cockpit.

The replacement 3.8-liter inline-six was rebuilt to a displacement of 4.0L under prior ownership and fitted with triple 48mm Weber DCOE carburetors with trumpet intakes and foam filters. Fuel delivery is handled by dual Holley fuel pumps, an adjustable fuel pressure regulator, and a 15-gallon aluminum fuel cell located in the trunk. Cooling updates include a high-capacity aluminum radiator fitted with an electric cooling fan as well as a heavy-duty water pump, an oil cooler, and dual overfill reservoirs. Additional features are said to include the following:

• Forged racing pistons
• Carrillo racing rods
• ARP studs and nuts
• Nitrided crankshaft
• 3.8L straight-port cylinder head with 1-7/8? intake valves
• Large race valves and custom spring
• Billet racing camshafts with .515? lift
• Remote oil pressure accumulator
• High-output oil pump
• Custom racing oil pan baffles
• Dual remote oil filters
• Custom-fabricated racing exhaust with removable mufflers
• Vertex racing magneto
• Dual-circuit racing master cylinders
• Racing-style center-push clutch slave cylinder
• Braided steel fuel and oil lines

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a close-ratio five-speed manual gearbox, heavy-duty stub axles, and a Jaguar-style limited-slip differential equipped with 4.11:1 gearing housed within a magnesium case. Work in 2022 involved removing the engine and transmission, repairing oil leaks, replacing the clutch and flywheel, installing a 120-amp alternator, and changing the engine oil and transmission fluid.