Highlights

Beautifully presented in black over burgundy leather
Extensive concours restoration by Jaguar specialists Butlin Classic Cars
Over £50,000 spent on meticulous multi-year rebuild
Work included bodywork renovation and repaint and interior retrim
Suspension, brakes and fuel system overhauled
New wiring and clutch fitted
Celebrity provenance - driven by Jay Kay of Jamiroquai
Featured in motoring books and an upcoming music video
Special registration "NEG 242E" included in the sale
Sold with a new MOT

The Appeal

Whether you’re here for the attractive black-on-burgundy colour scheme, the very high standard of presentation, the celebrity provenance, or the distinctive ‘Series 2 4.2 E-Type’ registration, there is much to love and admire about this RHD OTS car.

It comes to market after a £50,000 restoration by Jaguar specialists Butlin Classic Cars. The work took several years and was completed in 2021 to what the vendor describes as ‘concours standard.’ It covered virtually every aspect of the car, with particular attention paid to the bodywork. The vendor states that “no panel was left untouched during the restoration process.” You can spot that in the way the doors shut flush and the swage line along the length of the car follows the correct factory path. The process included a new clutch, suspension, brake and fuel system overhauls, new wiring, brightwork refurbishment and full chassis undersealing. With under 1,000 miles of use since, it presents much as it did the day it rolled out of Butlin’s workshop.

Since completion, the car has been featured in marque books and driven by serial car enthusiast Jay Kay of Jamiroquai. It will feature in his forthcoming music video, which we are told is due out in 2026.

Few Series 2 convertibles present as well as this one. It is a handsome example that will grace any collection. The car will be sold with the added reassurance of a new voluntary MOT.

The vendor says:

“With just 36,000 miles recorded and offered with MOT, restoration file, and photographic archive, this is an unrepeatable opportunity to acquire one of the finest, best-documented Series 2 E-Type Roadsters in existence – a car that blends concours condition, celebrity association, and investment-grade provenance.”

History and Paperwork

First registered in 1969
Factory built as a LHD car so likely originally dispatched to USA
Chassis number 1R11019 confirms it as a late 1969 factory build
Originally finished in Primrose Yellow over black trim we are told
First UK registerd 9th May 1994
Five UK keepers since arrival
Current keeper since May 2019
Acquired by the current owner specifically for a comprehensive restoration
Restored by Butlins Classic Cars, the E-Type specialists, between 2019 and 2021
Complete restoration documentation, including invoices and photographic records
Celebrity provenance: driven by Jay Kay of Jamiroquai for several days
Will feature in Jay Kay's forthcoming 2026 music video
Featured in several respected motoring books we are told
Special registration "NEG 242E" (Series 2 4.2 E-Type’) included in the sale
Last voluntary MOT expired April 2022 with no advisories
36,058 miles showing on that test and 36,566 miles showing in photos
Offered with current MOT

Summary of restoration work:

Complete body strip
Bare-metal preparation
Panel repairs
Concours-standard repaint
Full interior retrim in red leather
New carpets, trim panels, seals, and fittings
Engine and gearbox servicing
New clutch, seals, gaskets, and refinished ancillaries
Rebuilt suspension, including new fulcrum bearings, wishbone shafts, driveshaft UJs, wheel bearings, and link bushes
New wiring harnesses, switches, gauges (with LED upgrades), and relays.
Brake and fuel system overhaul
New brake servo, lines, fuel pump, and filters
Waxoyl rust protection applied to cavities, underbody, and panels
Refurbished chrome, glass, lighting, and brightwork throughout

The vendor says:

“First registered in 1970 and originally finished in the eye-catching Primrose Yellow over black trim, this exceptional Series 2 4.2 Roadster was acquired by the present owner as a prime candidate for a complete, no-expense-spared restoration. Immediately after purchase, the car was entrusted to the renowned Jaguar specialists Butlin Classic Cars of Swadlincote, Derbyshire – a firm whose name is synonymous with world-class E-Type restorations.

“What followed was a forensic, multi-year rebuild costing in excess of £50,000, with an obsessive focus on detail and originality. The body was stripped to bare metal, every panel painstakingly prepared, and the shell finished in flawless Jaguar 2K black paint, complemented by a rich, hand-trimmed red leather interior. No panel was left untouched, no system overlooked. The mechanicals, suspension, and driveline were fully dismantled, inspected, and rebuilt. Notable works included:

“Beyond its concours restoration, this E-Type has celebrity provenance: Besides the current owner having lent his Viola Lamborghini Diablo for the video "Cosmic Girl" the e-type was driven by Jay Kay, lead singer of Jamiroquai, for several days and will appear in his forthcoming 2026 music video.

“The car has also been featured in several respected motoring books, further cementing its cultural and collector appeal.

“The accompanying special registration plate NEG 242E is included in the sale.”

The Condition

Extensively restored bodywork to a high standard by E-Type specialist
Finished in black Jaguar 2K paint which the vendor describes as concours-quality
Car remains in a high standard of preparation due to sparing recent use
Body presents very well with straight and flush panel fit as shown
Car sits on chrome wire wheels with matching spare in boot
Quality-matched Avon Turbo Speed tyres fitted
Extensive Waxoyl rust protection applied to cavities, underbody, and panels
Underside presents very well and was extensively undersealed during restoration
Hand-trimmed burgundy red leather interior looks barely used
New carpets, trim panels, seals, and fittings
All new wiring harnesses, switches, and gauges with LED upgrades
Refurbished chrome, glass, lighting, and brightwork throughout

This 1970 OTS is not to be confused with other Series 2s on the market. By entrusting it to the right model specialist, the vendor has achieved one of the best examples that we have seen in a long while. The body and paint present at a very high level and thanks to sparing use show few indications of the intervening years between completion and today. Full details of the work as provided above and in the photos.

The car began life as a LHD export market car but has been fully converted to UK market RHD specification, including removing the Federal market lights. The dashboard has also been correctly updated with all switches rearranged to RHD configuration.

The car sports a particularly beguiling colour scheme, mating the Jaguar 2K black paint with a burgundy red leather interior. The chrome wires and refurbished chrome and brightwork complete a very stylish picture.

The Mechanics

4,235cc XK straight six engine
4spd fully synchromesh manual gearbox
Full details of mechanical overhaul above with summary below
Comprehensive engine and gearbox servicing completed by Butlins
Car has covered very few miles since the mechanical work was completed
New clutch, seals, gaskets, and refinished ancillaries
Rebuilt suspension with new fulcrum bearings, wishbone shafts, and driveshaft UJs
New wheel bearings and link bushes fitted
Complete brake system overhaul including new brake servo and lines
Full fuel system rebuild with new fuel pump and filters
All mechanical systems fully dismantled, inspected, and rebuilt during restoration
No advisories on last MOT in 2021
Car will be sold with fresh 12-month MOT

Much of the appeal of the 4.2L E-Types lies in their mix of that torquey straight six, the fully synchromesh manual gearbox and the original SWB aesthetics. To that, this car adds a comprehensive mechanical overhaul by E-Type specialists Butlins that you can review above and in the photos. The car has covered less than 1,000 miles since completion, some of that in the hands of famed car enthusiast and musician Jay Kay of Jamiroquai.

The work by Butlins touched virtually all aspects of the mechanicals and running gear. The suspension, brake and fuel systems were overhauled and a new clutch was fitted. The engine and gearbox received a full service. The wiring and wheel bearings and bushes were also renewed.

The car is said to run and drive very well and will be sold with a fresh voluntary 12-month MOT.

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