Highlights
- A fully restored Series 1 E-Type in excellent condition both mechanically and bodily
- Matching numbers example with Heritage Certificate
- In the current ownership for 10 years and maintained regardless of cost over a number of owners
- A substantial paperwork archive is included detailing the work undertaken and associated expenditure
The Appeal
The Jaguar E-Type is one of those rare cars that really needs no introduction, achieving almost iconic status right from its 1961 launch. Officially the E-Type was built across three series between 1961 and 1975.
This Series 1 car has been diligently maintained and cared for in its current ownership for the last 10 years. Prior to that the car enjoyed a fastidious restoration in around 2008. The result is a beautiful example in a sublime colourway which is very hard to fault in any respect.
The History and Paperwork
- This E-Type was manufactured in April 1967
- The factory record records the interior and exterior colours as they appear today
- The car was distributed via Rossleigh Jaguar in Edinburgh
- The car has been cherished and enjoyed by a number of owners over its life
- An extensive restoration was believed to have been undertaken in 2008
- The current owner acquired the car in 2012 having owned numerous E-Types previously
- The excellent condition of the bodywork and interior attracted him to the car
- Since that point, the owner has attended to all key mechanical requirements
- The car has done less than 5,000 miles in the last 10 years
- The sale includes the extensive paperwork archive for the E-Type
- This includes the current V5 in the owner’s name
- There are many previous MOT’s on hand as well as a Heritage Certificate
- There are many invoices included, just a small sample of which we present here
- These are mainly from three key points in the car’s history
- These are 2002 – 2008, 2009 – 2012 and 2012 to present
- The original “Operating Handbook” is present
- There is also a period specification manual included
- There is an interesting album of photographs from the restoration on hand also
The Interior
- The interior is exquisitely finished in dark blue leather
- The seats are stitched, and box pleated for comfort and support
- The condition of the seats is excellent throughout
- The door cards are finished in black and dissected with horizontal chrome trim
- The quality, chromed door furniture is all present and correct
- The dark blue carpets are edge bound in leather and present in fine fettle
- The dashboard is finished in black and is awash with switches and gauges signature E-Type fashion
- The original Smiths white on black gauges are all in working condition and present well
- A Phillips M/L wave push button radio is fitted but not currently connected
- The three spoke alloy, wooden rimmed steering wheel is in excellent condition with the original E-Type boss
- The headlining is a tightly fitted and unmarked condition
- The luggage compartment is finished in blue leather with rubber topped chrome protective strips fitted
- Under the boot floor there is a full-sized wire spare wheel and accompanying tools
This is a delightful period-correct interior in an excellent overall condition. Understood to have been included in the restoration of around 2008, the cabin gives you everything you would expect from a Series 1 E-Type.
The big Smiths tachometer and speedometer set the tone and sit behind the attractive alloy and wood, three-spoked steering wheel. There’s a wealth of period detail to enjoy in this interior, right down to the leaping jaguars on the chrome seatbelt buckles.
The Exterior
- The exterior is finished in deep and lustrous Opalescent Silver Blue
- The exterior presentation is really excellent throughout
- The panel gaps are tight and symmetrical and the doors, bonnet, and boot open and close freely and positively
- The light lenses, front and back, are clear and undamaged
- The cabin glass appears to be original and free from imperfection
- Assumed to have been repainted in around 2008, the restoration has lasted very well
- The brightly chromed wire wheels are attached with “Jaguar” inscribed twin-eared spinners
- The wheels are shod with period-correct 185/15 Dunlop SP Sport radials
- These all appear to retain an excellent depth of tread
- The chrome of the bumpers and window surrounds is clear and shiny
- No areas of notable imperfection were noticed during our inspection
The fixed head coupe (FHC) iteration of the E-Type really exhibits the timeless design language most purely. There are many D-Type cues to please the eye and this car looks sleek and muscular in its Silver Blue paintwork.
Like the interior, it is the period detail that is so pleasing. The purposeful vents on the long bonnet, the faired in headlights and those sublime wire wheels all combine so well to exude both elegance and power in true E-Type fashion. It is no accident that the E-Type remains one of the most recognisable profiles some 60 years after its launch.
The Mechanics
- This E-Type is fitted with the erstwhile 4.2L straight six engine which appeared for the first time in the Series 1
- The engine breathes through three, 2-inch SU carburettors
- Originally rated at 265 bhp giving the car 150mph plus potential
- Power is fed to the rear wheels via a full synchromesh, four-speed manual gearbox
- The current owner has continued to improve the mechanical condition during his tenure
- This includes new fuel pump, steering linkages, and shock absorbers
- He also fitted electronic ignition, a sport coil, silicon leads, hoses, brake master and slave cylinders
- A new clutch has been fitted during his ownership
- The car has covered less than 5,000 miles in his ownership so these upgrades can be considered recent
- Given these improvements combined with the low mileage results in an excellent mechanical presentation
The 4.2L engine replaced the original 3.8L unit and succeeded in improving refinement and drivability despite the headline power figures not changing. The 4.2L’s improved gearbox did represent a big leap forward, however, being a full synchromesh unit and proving considerably quieter than the earlier units.
Being very happy with the bodily condition of the car when he acquired it, the current owner has focused on undertaking any mechanical improvements he felt the car required. As a result, this is an E-Type that is very well sorted mechanically and ready to drive away by the lucky new owner.
Summary
If you are looking for an E-Type Jaguar of this period and pedigree, then you will know what a fine and rarely available example this is. The myth, of course, is that the E-type was a high-volume sports car compared to many of this period. Well, it is worth considering that only around 2,000 right hand drive Series 1, 4.2L FHC’s were built. Nearly sixty years on that number has decreased dramatically. That makes this one of the rarer cars in the series.
What increases that rarity value is its exceptional condition. Naturally we tend to inspect cars with a critical eye, keen to point out any imperfections or issues to potential buyers. That has proved a very tall-order with this E-Type. It is really that good.
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