Description
The Millbrook Sale | Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire
Viewing: Tues 2nd December from 12pm
Auction: Wed 3rd December from 9am
Location: Millbrook Proving Ground, Station Lane, Bedford MK45 2JH
1970 Jaguar E-Type 4. 2 Roadster
Subject to a photographically documented £100, 000-plus restoration less than 5, 000 miles ago
Estimate
£60, 000 - £80, 000
Registration No: HDA 824J
Chassis No: 2R 14850
MOT: Exempt
Initially built to left-hand drive specification for the US market, but repatriated to Britain in 1972
Believed to have been coverted to right-hand drive by British Leyland immediately upon import
Subject to a photographically documented restoration in 2017 costing over £100, 000 in the vendor's ownership
Matching numbers engine block which has benefitted from a complete overhaul
Upgraded with 123 electronic ignition and a five-speed gearbox
Repainted in the attractive colour scheme of Indigo Blue over a Beige leather interior, with a Black mohair hood
Triumphantly unveiled at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, the Jaguar E-Type created a furore thanks to its supercar performance, stunning looks and modest price tag. Early racing success at the hands of Graham Hill and Roy Salvadori amongst others helped cement the newcomer's reputation. Built as a monocoque with an engine cradling front sub-frame, the E-type's combination of all-around independent suspension and disc brakes allied to rack-and-pinion steering resulted in excellent roadholding and handling capabilities. The indomitable straight-six XK twin-cam engine supplied abundant power. If the design had an Achilles' heel, it was the recalcitrant Moss gearbox. However, Jaguar was quick to correct this shortcoming with a four-speeder of its own design, part of a continual programme of E-Type development that saw the model metamorphose through three series. Introduced in August, 1968, the Series II cars were distinguishable by their revised bumper and light arrangements. Less noticeable was the increased size of the front air intake that, in conjunction with dual cooling fans, made the Series II better behaved in hot weather and heavy traffic. With its 4, 235cc engine developing a quoted 265bhp and 283lb. ft. of torque, it was reputedly capable of nearly 150mph and 0-60mph in 7. 5 seconds. Available in open two-seater, Fixed-Head two-seater and Fixed-Head two-plus-two guises, the American market accounted for the vast majority of Series II production. A total of 8, 627 open two-seaters made was made.
The Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate reveals that ‘HDA 824J’ was manufactured on October 12th, 1970, and despatched on November 30th to its original dealer, British Leyland New York. It left the factory in left-hand drive specification, with a 4. 2-litre engine and manual gearbox, and was painted Light Blue with a Dark Blue interior and a Blue soft-top. Intriguingly, however, it was registered for British roads ion August 1st, 1972, and it is not known if it was ever actually registered in New York; Series IIs were known to be a hard sell when Series III V12 E-types were introduced in 1971, but it was perhaps most likely that the original owner was an American who migrated to Britain, or a British expatriate returning home. It is thought the subsequent right-hand drive conversion was performed by British Leyland not long after the Jaguar was reimported.
The history of ‘HDA 824J’ becomes quite well documented from the 1990s, when it was restored by marque specialist Classic Motor Cars for some £30, 000, the work including a repaint in Regency Red, reupholstery in Magnolia hide, and upgrades such as a five-speed gearbox and stainless-steel exhaust. Fitted with 72-spoke chrome wire wheels and a new mohair hood and tonneau cover, the E-type’s restoration reached completion in 1996, at which point the odometer showed 23, 451 miles. Thereafter, it appears to have been meticulously maintained although receiving only very sparing use. It was sold through Classic Motor Cars in 2004 to an owner who used it only for “light, local, dry miles,” such that when it was sold to the present owner at auction in 2011, it had covered only 6, 500 miles since its 1990s restoration.
The new owner enjoyed it as it was for a time, entrusting some small maintenance tasks to Classic & Sports Cars Essex, such as a carburettor rebuild in 2012 and works in 2013 including fitment of an original Jaguar fuel pump, the replacement of the clutch slave cylinder and a radiator recore. New tyres were purchased from Vintage Tyres for £855 in 2014. The same year, he decided he would like the car repainted in its present Indigo Blue, but upon stripping it down several bodywork faults were discovered. Classic & Sports Cars Essex then embarked upon an extensive restoration from October, 2014, to June, 2016, which saw the engine, gearbox and rear suspension all overhauled, while the body was taken back to the bare metal, with all the panels properly repaired and the gaps carefully adjusted, with new door skins being made in true craftsman-like fashion on an English wheel. Sixteen coats of paint were then applied, with the underside finished with a bitumastic stone-proof coating, before the interior was retrimmed in Biscuit hide with Wilton carpets. A selection of high-quality photographs documented the process from beginning to end.
Upon completion of the work, the E-type was pressed back into use, being returned to Classic & Sports Cars Essex for the fitment of 123 electronic ignition and new fans in 2017, a service in 2019 and refurbishment of the rear bumper in 2020. More recently, maintenance has been entrusted to independent Jaguar specialists Epping Classic Cars, including a carburettor overhaul in 2020 and a general service in 2023. During the present ownership, expenditure with Classic & Sports Cars Essex exceeded £73, 000, of which £60, 000 was spent during the 2014-16 renovation. With occasional recourse to other specialists, total expenditure exceeded £100, 000. Maintained in excellent condition throughout, the E-type is sold with an impressive paperwork file including the current V5C, a J. D. H. T. certificate, the 2011 auction catalogue, MOT certificates from 1996 to 2013 and 2016 to 2024, tax discs from 1999 to 2013, many invoices from the present ownership and some other records of maintenance back to the millennium. Fewer than 5, 000 miles have been covered since 2016, and the Jaguar will be detailed, serviced and MOTed prior to the sale.
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Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
