1968 Jaguar XKE

Gene and Barbara Torvend’s 1968 Jaguar XKE 

In 1967 Gene graduated from California Polytechnic and the first thing one does is buy a new car! So, while all of his buddies were buying new Corvettes, Gene went to Shadoff Cadillac/Jaguar in Los Angeles, traded in his ‘62 Austin-Healey, and ordered a New XKE which was in the centerfold of the ‘68 Jaguar catalog. It was $5,790 and big bucks for a guy going to work at GE on his first real job. Jaguars are series 1, 2, and 3 as they transitioned through government regulations. The 1968 was considered a series 1½ as it was the beginning of the transition to “no covered headlights.” Enzo Ferrari considered the XKE the most beautiful car made. Jaguar E-Types have been featured in the Smithsonian for automobile art. 

The Jaguar spent years following Gene and Barbara around on his career from Indiana to New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and ending up in Vermont 30 years ago. The car was kept original and had the usual English car issues, “Lucas electrical system,” etc. It didn’t leave them stranded too many times and was always a terrific conversation magnet. Gene and Barb kept the car through thick and thin and it became part of the family. In Vermont it had a few close calls such as Barb wanting to paint it red vs the unique stock Willow Green and Gene wanting to put on Weber carburetors vs the 2 Strombergs. Considering synchronizing issues that was a very close call. It has been in various car shows including the first British Invasion at Stowe, Vermont. It won first place at Stowe for Peoples’ Choice three times along with other awards. 

When Gene and Barb moved to Underhill from Shelburne they met Judy Boardman and became friends. Judy invited Gene and Barb to join VAE and they have had great experiences from Christmas parties to entering the car in the VAE shows. The Jag received a lot of attention at the shows and generated a lot of good conversation/fun. 

In 2021, just prior to the onslaught of covid, an overheating issue occurred without them being aware that the electric fans stopped working. The car was picked up by Peter Markowski at RPM, Gene’s favorite Jaguar Doctor in Vergennes, Vermont. After much discussion an engine rebuild was started and Rolf, now one of the owners of RPM, completed an extensive rebuild. So, the engine and drivetrain from the radiator to the tips of the stainless exhaust are beautiful and as original. The car has not been restored and has been kept as original except for the engine rebuild. 

The Jag has traveled the country, been in many shows and on many race tracks such as Lime Rock Park, CT, and traveled the back roads of Vermont. It is now getting ready to come out of storage at RPM for a summer romp through Vermont. They’re just waiting for the roads to dry out so it can get home without getting the stainless polished spoke wheels dirty.