Highlights
- Desirable 4.2-litre Series 1 FHC
- Rare right-hand drive example
- 1 of 1,583 built according to the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club
- High quality older restoration
- Comprehensive history file
The Appeal
Hailed as the best-looking car ever designed, legendarily by Il Commendatore himself, especially in ‘Series 1’ specification, the E-Type is a deeply desirable and sought after machine. With so much history surrounding it – from Norman Dewis’ legendary overnight run to being the darling of the 60s fashionista crowd – it’s easy to see why they still top the list of many enthusiasts and collectors.
Of course, the one to have is the later Series 1 Fixed Head Coupe with the 4.2-litre inline-six, which is precisely what we have here.
Comprehensively restored in the 1990s, this example is presented in striking and desirable Carmine Red over a black leather interior. It’s a great specification for the car, highlighting the gorgeous curves while hinting at the sporting prowess of this big cat. Besides the looks, it benefits from a comprehensive history file which neatly details many years of care and attention being lavished on it by previous owners.
Now ready and waiting for a new owner, this elegant and covetable sports car would be the ideal way to make an entrance at this year’s shows. After all, nothing says style and sophistication quite like an E-Type.
The History and Paperwork
- Supplied new to Victor Ltd of Belfast
- First registered in the UK in June 1965
- Five owners from new, current owner since April 2015
- Matching numbers car
- 1 of 1,583 right-hand drive 4.2-litre FHCs built according to the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club
- 91,560 miles on the clock (five-figure odometer)
- Comprehensively restored in the 1990s
- Jaguar Heritage certificate
- Extensive history file with many invoices, old MOTs and various other information
- Complete with a ‘Definitive History’ book, Haynes Workshop Manual, and Parts Catalogue
- Supplied with two sets of keys
- Fitted with an immobiliser
The Interior
- Retrimmed black leather upholstery by Adridge Trimming
- Moto-Lita steering wheel
- Period radio system
- A full complement of period switchgear and gauges
When the car was restored in the 1990s, the original green suede upholstery was changed out for black leather. It suits the car well and looks to have been well preserved. Black vinyl door cards neatly complement the upholstery. There’s little evidence of significant wear to any of the materials, and certainly no serious wear or damage we could discern.
The carpets are black and show well, with no discernible threading or staining. Meanwhile the headlining is a smart dark grey and looks to be secure and taut, we saw no evidence of sagging, damage or staining at all.
We love the gentle weathering of the wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel and matched wooden gear knob, it grounds the car in the reality of its age and is wonderfully tactile. As far as we can tell, all of the switchgear and controls are in good order, with some light patina and wear commensurate with age. There is a full complement of Smiths gauges too, while the vendor reports no faults or issues with any of the cabin’s features.
Swing open the classic side-hinged rear door and you’re greeted with a generous boot space, finished with a black vinyl liner that features polished runners. It all shows in fine fettle, with no damage or significant wear apparent. Under the boot floor there is a full size spare wheel, alongside a tool roll and jack. We note that the spare wheel well itself looks nice and solid with no evidence of worrying corrosion.
The Exterior
- Monocoque design
- Carmine Red paintwork
- Lashings of handsome brightwork
- Period correct wire wheels
Originally finished in Opalescent Dark Green, the car was refinished in Carmine Red when it was restored. The paint is wearing its age well, with some light swirling in places and a few blemishes and chips, but nothing on show that would concern us.
Similarly, the bodywork itself looks nice and solid, with straight panels, clean lines and smooth curves. Shut lines and panel gaps appear to be consistent, while there’s no notable corrosion or damage we could discern. The only area to note is a little corrosion starting to the inner edge of the driver’s door where the rubber seal is beginning to perish.
As far as we can see, all of the brightwork and badging is complete and in good order, with some attractive light pitting and mild wear showing on some of the chrome. However, it all still wears a fine lustre and is very presentable.
Underneath, the floor and sills look nice and straight, with a few patches of surface corrosion here and there. Meanwhile, the suspension and drivetrain components looks to have been kept in very good condition, with no obvious issues or corrosion we could identify.
The wheels are the correct 15-inch wire wheels, wearing a polished finish and wrapped in a matched set of tyres that appear to have good tread levels.
The Mechanics
- 4.2-litre inline-six
- Four-speed manual transmission
- Rear-wheel drive
- Independent suspension
- All-round disc brakes
Even by modern standards, the inline-six of the E-Type is a potent unit. The factory claimed a 0-60mph time of seven seconds and a top speed of 150mph – heady figures for the 60s. With a claimed 265bhp and 283lb-ft on offer, it certainly has the lungs to back up that evocative six-cylinder soundtrack too.
The engine bay looks lovely and clean, the three SU carburettors proudly on display to the driver’s side. We didn’t see any signs of leaks or other issues.
In April of 2022, the car received a new radiator header tank, battery clamp, clutch slave cylinder, starter motor and oil pressure sender, alongside new brake fluid.
Summary
The “prettiest car ever made” line may be a cliché now, but there’s a reason for it. Nothing turns heads quite like the Rubenesque curves and flowing lines of an E-Type coupe. Finished in an attractive specification, this appealing and collectible Series 1 FHC truly merits a place in any garage. We certainly wouldn’t want to let it get away…
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UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
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