Highlights
- Over the last year £50,000 spent on an engine-out mechanical overhaul by E-type UK
- Original UK RHD Example
- One of only 319 made
- High quality restoration in the 80s
- Driven only c.15k miles since restoration
- Previously owned by Attwood Motors
- Fantastic history file
The Appeal
Long revered as the most beautiful car ever made, the E-Type is one of the most sought after and collectible automobiles in the world.
While there are many available, there are few truly lovely examples. This, however, is one of the few.
While there are many available, there are few truly lovely examples. This, however, is one of the few.
A late series 1 car (known colloquially as a ‘series 1.5’ as it shares features with the series 2 cars), it’s presented in desirable 4.2 manual Roadster specification, having been very well restored in the 1980s and kept in superb condition ever since.
With a very comprehensive history file and a very real connection with Dickie Attwood, this is one E-Type that is sure to be coveted by many.
With a very comprehensive history file and a very real connection with Dickie Attwood, this is one E-Type that is sure to be coveted by many.
The History and Paperwork
- Built on 4 April 1968
- First registered in May 1968
- Rare ‘series 1.5’ right hand drive 4.2 Roadster – one of only 319 built
- Historic vehicle status: tax and MOT exempt
- 36,775 miles indicated (136,775 miles actual, as it has a 5-digit odometer)
- Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate confirming matching numbers and build date
- 7 owners from new, with the current owner being in possession since 2010
- Current V5C included, as well as old VE60 logbook
- Huge history file, with MOT certificates back to 1975 and numerous invoices
- Initially purchased by Attwood Motors of Wolverhampton in May 1968 and used by them for the next year
- Strengthening the connection with the Attwood name, the current owner met Dickie Attwood at a Goodwood Members’ Meeting a couple of years ago, and Dickie remembered the car
- The car then spent time in Dudley, Leeds, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire before settling with the current owner in Cheshire
The Interior
- Highly original and factory correct
- Period style radio system installed
- Genuine Jaguar upholstery, restored in the 1980s
One of the advantages of the car being restored in the 1980s is that many of the parts and materials – which cannot be acquired today – were still available as genuine Jaguar items.
As such, the seat covers were replaced with genuine Jaguar parts. All of the upholstery wears a lovely light, natural patina. There’s the odd blemish from use and the passing of time, but this only adds to the character and feel of the cabin.
Certainly, there are no significant areas of wear and no damage that we could see.
As such, the seat covers were replaced with genuine Jaguar parts. All of the upholstery wears a lovely light, natural patina. There’s the odd blemish from use and the passing of time, but this only adds to the character and feel of the cabin.
Certainly, there are no significant areas of wear and no damage that we could see.
Black carpets run through the cabin, with cream carpet being fitted to the boot area. All the carpets presents well, in good condition with no noticeable damage or staining apparent.
Looking in the boot, this is where the current owner has installed a modern stereo unit (to preserve the original appearance of the dash). Under the carpet, there is a full-size spare as well as a period jack. The boot floor itself is in excellent condition, with no evidence of corrosion, damage or damp.
Looking in the boot, this is where the current owner has installed a modern stereo unit (to preserve the original appearance of the dash). Under the carpet, there is a full-size spare as well as a period jack. The boot floor itself is in excellent condition, with no evidence of corrosion, damage or damp.
Going back into the cabin, the dash is remarkably well preserved and beautifully weathered in. The controls, instruments and switchgear all wear a lovely soft level of patination, while the vendor tells us that everything works as it should.
Only one item is not working, and this is the period radio/cassette, which is left in place to preserve the originality of the dash but is not connected.
Only one item is not working, and this is the period radio/cassette, which is left in place to preserve the originality of the dash but is not connected.
Overall, the cabin is very well preserved and presented in genuine and factory correct condition, with the owner telling us that it even has a lovely ‘classic car’ aroma.
The Exterior
- Lovely Old English White cellulose paintwork
- New SS 6” wire rims fitted with new Blockley tyres
- Genuine Jaguar hood, frame and hood cover
- Comprehensively restored to a high standard in the 1980s
- Correct ‘series 1.5’ open lights
When the car was restored in the 1980s, the owner took a methodical and sympathetic approach, even using period correct cellulose-based paint so that the finish would be correct.
Original bodywork, trim and panels were preserved and reused wherever possible, with the bonnet, doors and brightwork all being original – although the brightwork was re-plated.
Original bodywork, trim and panels were preserved and reused wherever possible, with the bonnet, doors and brightwork all being original – although the brightwork was re-plated.
All of the paintwork presents in very good condition, with the odd minor blemish as you’d expect, but overall a pleasant and even finish with delightfully characterful patina.
Similarly, all of the bodywork looks to be straight, well-gapped and presented in very good order. There were no dents, damage or evidence of corrosion observed by us.
Similarly, all of the bodywork looks to be straight, well-gapped and presented in very good order. There were no dents, damage or evidence of corrosion observed by us.
The hood and cover are original Jaguar items, fitted during the restoration in the 1980s and still in exceptionally good condition, with no signs of UV fading, tears or significant wear that we could see. We’re told by the owner that the hood operates very well, with no issues or difficulties.
Maintaining the period correct look of the vehicle, the current owner has fitted new SS 6” wire rims fitted with new Blockley tyres. These are shod in quality Cooper tyres, with a new and unused tyre being fitted to the spare wheel. The tyres all look in fine fettle, with good tread levels.
Taking a peek under the car, the underside appears to be in excellent condition, straight and clean with no evidence of marked corrosion or damage.
Clearly, the car has been carefully stored and well cared for.
Clearly, the car has been carefully stored and well cared for.
The Mechanics
- Iconic 4,235cc straight-six delivers a hearty 265bhp
- 4-speed manual transmission
- Comprehensively rebuilt mechanicals just 2,000 miles ago
That sonorous straight-six makes the most wonderful burble at idle, with a rising crescendo as the revs increase.
Under the bonnet, the engine bay is immaculately clean, with polished rocker covers and triple carburettors. The original canister oil filter remains in place, as do the original points and condenser.
Under the bonnet, the engine bay is immaculately clean, with polished rocker covers and triple carburettors. The original canister oil filter remains in place, as do the original points and condenser.
The vendor tells us that a comprehensive mechanical rebuild was undertaken at 121,500 miles (about 2,000 miles ago). Significant work was undertaken including, but not limited to:
- Engine overhaul and check
- Front brake service with new Goodrich houses
- New rear brake pads and seals
- New Koni adjustable dampers to the front, new springs and Koni dampers to the rear
- New steering bushes, solid rack and ball joints
- Lightweight front torsion bars
- New water pump and alternator
- Stainless steel exhaust system
- Kenlowe cooling fans
We’re also assured by the owner that regular fluid changes have been carried out, as well as regular changes to other service items like spark plugs and filters.
As the owner is an engineer and the family own an engineering company, you can imagine that all work has been carried out carefully and correctly.
As the owner is an engineer and the family own an engineering company, you can imagine that all work has been carried out carefully and correctly.
The vendor tells us that they have confidently driven the car from Cheshire to Le Mans and Goodwood, and would not hesitate to do so again.
Which goes someway to demonstrating how good the mechanical aspects of this car are.
Which goes someway to demonstrating how good the mechanical aspects of this car are.
Summary
Few cars are as iconic as the E-Type. And as a way to traverse distance in style, comfort and pure driving pleasure, surely there’s nothing better than a manual E-Type Roadster?
This late series 1/1.5 Roadster is presented in excellent condition, having been scrupulously restored and carefully maintained.
As one of just 319 cars built in this specification, it makes for a fantastic investment opportunity as well as quite simply being one of the nicest classic cars you’ll ever see.
As one of just 319 cars built in this specification, it makes for a fantastic investment opportunity as well as quite simply being one of the nicest classic cars you’ll ever see.
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