A fastidiously and professionally restored Series 1 E-Type in superb overall condition
Over 1250 hours and £16,000 of parts and external services have been invested in this sublime example
The 4.2L engine benefits from a valuable triple Webber upgrade for enhanced performance and tractability
Fully supported by an extensive paperwork trail and photographic archive
The Appeal
The Jaguar E-Type is one of those fabled cars that really needs no introduction, achieving almost iconic status right from its 1961 launch.
Carrying over many of the styling cues and sporting attributes of its illustrious predecessors, the C and D Type, the E-Type offered dramatic performance for a surprisingly attainable price.
Officially the E-Type was built across three series between 1961 and 1975.
This Series 1 is a remarkable example. It has undergone a highly professional restoration with no facet of the car being overlooked or left untouched.
Our photographic package and supporting paperwork trail will underline the superb quality of craftsmanship in evidence here, resulting in a car which could surely now could be considered “better than new.”
The interior is exquisitely finished and fully retrimmed in soft blue leather
Seats stitched into box pleats and finished in perforated leather for additional comfort and support
Every other aspect of the interior is an excellent and fully restored condition
The interior of the E-Type is a delightful antidote to the minimalist, screen laden interiors of contemporary cars. It is awash with buttons, gauges, and a myriad of charming period detail. It is an integral part of the memorable and sensory experience of riding in, let alone driving, a Series 1 E-Type.
This example doubles down on that experience thanks to its superbly restored and retrimmed interior. The soft, blue leather looks as good as it smells, and the rebuilt seats are surprisingly comfortable and supportive.
The dark blue woollen carpets are edge bound in leather and fit beautifully throughout. The door cards are leather finished and dissected with a chrome trim and finished with high-quality chrome door furniture. The fabric headlining is tightly fitted and finished in a complementary blue grey hue.
The dashboard is finished in the crackle-finished black signature paintwork and peppered with the full complement of white on black Smiths gauges monitoring every key aspect of the Jaguar’s operation. The three spoked, alloy steering wheel is wood rimmed and centred with the correct Jaguar E-Type boss.
The surprisingly generous luggage area is finished in leather and protected by rubber topped, chrome luggage runners. The floor panel lifts to reveal the full-sized spare wheel, jack, and tools.
The exterior is finished in deep and lustrous Opalescent Silver Blue
The exterior presentation is really excellent throughout and very hard to fault
The panel gaps are impressively tight and symmetrical and the doors, bonnet, and boot open and close freely and positively
This fixed head coupe iteration of the E-Type most effectively exhibits the timeless design language of this most recognisable of British sports cars.
There are many C and D-Type cues to please the eye and this car looks sleek, muscular, and highly sophisticated in its silver blue paintwork.
The exterior presentation of this fine example is as hard to fault as the interior is. During its extensive restoration it has been stripped back to bare metal with any less than perfect panels being either replaced or fastidiously repaired. This was followed by a multi-stage, professional respray in its original blue hue.
The chrome brightwork, light lenses and cabin glass are all in the fine condition that you would expect from a fully restored example of this quality.
The 15-inch chromed wire wheels are in pristine condition all round and are affixed with the correct, Jaguar inscribed, central spinners. The wheels are shod in a new and matching set of Vitour Galaxy R1, radial type tyres in the period-correct 185/R15 configuration. The tyres are finished with a fine, white line to the sidewall.
Like the interior, it is the period detail that is so pleasing here. The chamfered 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 automotive profiles in history, some 60 years after its launch.
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.
In this example both engine and gearbox have been diligently restored and recommissioned to provide a car in a very well sorted mechanical condition. The engine has undergone a thorough rebuild including new pistons, rings, a crank re-grind and cylinder head overhaul.
At a significant cost, approaching £2,000, the standard twin SU carburettors have been replaced by a triple 45 DCOE Webber conversion which is reported to significantly improve the driving experience.
The owner does report that some minor carburettor balancing may be required on a rolling road to optimise the impact of this upgrade.
The gearbox has been professionally rebuilt including the fitment of new bearings, gaskets and layshafts. The rear axle has also undergone a full rebuild.
The under-bonnet presentation of this E-Type is dominated by the sight of the three big Webber carburettors feeding the 4.2L straight-six with a significantly improved and more efficient fuel-air mixture. The rest of the engine bay is pristine and a real potential prize winner at any classic car show.
The underside of the car is a revelation too. During the restoration, the thick underseal present was removed from and returned to its factory-correct painted condition.
A full, new stainless steel exhaust system has been fitted and all the suspension components have either been replaced, restored, or recommissioned.
Please review our underside photographs as it will help qualify the superb quality and depth of the restoration this car has enjoyed.
If you are looking for an E-Type Jaguar of this period and pedigree, then you will know what a fine and beautifully restored example this is.
Just take a look at those panel gaps! This is often a weak area for many restorations and notoriously hard to get right. The precision of these and the condition of the underside of this car perfectly set the tone for the quality and diligence of the work undertaken on this car overall.
This is clearly an E-Type that can be driven away and enjoyed without any hesitation or worries of any unaddressed issues spoiling the fun.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
VAT will be added to the buyer’s deposit as applicable.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
1968 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 FHC Series 1
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