Highlights

A highly useable, automatic 2+2 E Type Jaguar reported to run very well
A highly original looking car in its original colourway
Has been subject to much well-chosen work in its current ownership

The Appeal

The Jaguar E-Type is one of only a handful of classic cars that really needs no introduction, even to those who know little about our motoring past. The E type achieved an almost immediate iconic status from its launch in 1961. Its appeal lay in a compelling combination of styling cues and sporting attributes carried over from its illustrious predecessors and its dramatic performance. All for a surprisingly attainable price. Officially the E-Type was built across three series between 1961 and 1975.

This Series 1.5 is a highly original example of the 2+2 model with 4.2L power and automatic transmission. The current owner uses the car regularly and has found it a reliable and enjoyable companion. The car offers the opportunity to be further improved with only its original paintwork and panel alignment being obvious candidates for attention, if deemed necessary.

The History and Paperwork

This E-Type was manufactured in June 1968
It left the Browns Lane factory, destined for North America
It is confirmed by its Heritage Certificate as a LHD 2+2 Coupe
It still appears to wear its original livery of pale primrose yellow over black
The car was supplied new to its first owner via the Jaguar distributor in New York
Not much more is known about its life until it was registered in the UK in 2018
The current owner acquired the car from the first UK owner in April 2020
During its current ownership much well-chosen work has been undertaken
Some paperwork is included with the E Type
This includes the current V5 in the name of the owner
The Heritage Certificate is included which is an extract from the factory record
A number of invoices and other documents appear to be on hand

The Interior

The interior is predominantly finished in black with all the signature features
It appears in a highly original condition overall
It does seem that the front seats have been recovered at some point, however

Sitting in a Jaguar E Type is a memorable experience, weather it’s your first time or your hundredth. Sliding into the low car is surprisingly easy thanks to the depth of the doors and the flat topped and upholstered sills. The plethora of white on black Smiths gauges and accompanying bank of central rocker switches are what you will most likely notice first. It offers a sensory treat that just can’t be rivalled by modern equivalents.

This example exhibits all the key attributes and the predominantly black finished interior contrasts nicely with the pale primrose livery. The front seats appear to have been previously re-covered and present in a very good condition with no rips, tears or areas of wear noted. These seats fold forward to access the rear cabin. The rear seats are of the occasional variety and appear to be original with some minor wear and tear noted to the seat back.

The dark woollen carpets are edge bound in leather to aid longevity and help promote a luxurious ambiance. The door cards are leather finished and dissected with a chrome trim and finished with chrome door furniture.

The familiar dashboard is finished in the crackle-finished black signature paintwork. The centre console is home to five supplemental gauges and no less than ten rocker switches. The large Smiths white on black speedometer and tachometer sit behind the familiar three spoked, alloy steering wheel with varnished wooden rim and centred with the correct Jaguar E-Type boss. A retro-styled modern Bluetooth head unit is fitted ahead of the automatic gear selector.

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. A pair of surface mounted speakers are fitted to the sides of the luggage compartment.

The Exterior

The exterior is finished in pale primrose paintwork which is the car’s factory livery
The condition of the paintwork and panel alignment could be further improved
The car sits on the original cross spoked wire wheels affixed with central spinners

This fixed head coupe version of the E-Type, for many, most purely showcases the iconic design of this most recognisable of classic sports cars. There are many nods to its illustrious C and D-Type forebears, and it manages to successfully blend both sophistication and muscularity in equal measure.

Our car looks refreshingly different in its very period appropriate pale primrose yellow livery. Some variation in shade is noted between the panels which is common with the lighter shades. The overall condition is perfectly acceptable, however, and the car can easily be used and enjoyed as it is. There is some improvement possible in the alignment of some panels, but these can often be adjusted at the hinges. Some minor surface corrosion was noted around the rear hatch.

The chrome brightwork, light lenses and cabin glass are all appear to be in a fine condition that you for the age of the car. It is all completely period correct, too, giving the car a highly authentic persona.

The 15-inch wire wheels are in great overall condition all round and are affixed with the correct, Jaguar inscribed, central spinners. The wheels are shod in a recent looking and matching set of Radar Dimax Classic radial type tyres in a 205/70 configuration.

Like the interior, it is the period detail that is so authentic and pleasing on this example. The chamfered vents on the long bonnet, the deep-set headlights and the prominent tailpipes all combine so well to exude both elegance and power in classic E-Type fashion. It is no surprise, then, that the E-Type remains one of the most recognisable automotive profiles in history.

The Mechanics

This E-Type is fitted with the well-respected 4.2L straight six engine which appeared for the first time in the Series 1
This car is also an original automatic transmission example
Both the engine bay and underside presentation look to be in good, original order

The 4.2L engine replaced the original 3.8L unit and succeeded in improving refinement and drivability despite the headline power figures not changing. Our example has had a number of well-chosen improvements made in its current ownership. This includes a new fuel tank, new brake master cylinder and an unleaded fuel head conversion. The car is also fitted with a new electronic ignition.

The under-bonnet presentation looks very presentable and highly original. All the recognisable E Type features are present and correct from the twin Stromberg carburettors to the black and alloy finished cam covers. All the expected and original data plates and instruction notices appear present. The front suspension components, easily visible under the bonnet look to be in great order. The underside of the car looks appropriate to its age but could be further improved with some further attention.

The owner attests to the car starting easily and running very well, certainly aided by the electronic ignition and unleaded head conversion. The car has been used almost daily in its current ownership and has proved as reliable as it has enjoyable.

Summary

The E Type Jaguar has got to be one of the most recognisable classic cars in the world. They have forged a huge and enthusiastic following thanks to their sublime looks and peerless performance and handling package for this vintage of car.

This example has much going for it. The interior is in good order and offers originality in spades. The car is reported to be a really useable and reliable companion with some key mechanical improvements having been made in its current ownership. Whilst there is some room for improvement in terms of its paintwork that helps make it all the more practical to use and enjoy on a regular basis. A deeply honest example of the world’s most popular classic, high-performance sports car.

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