Highlights
- Only 2 former registered keepers
- Supplied with rare factory hard top and power steering
- Very smart and highly original car in metallic red
- Large history file including original bill of sale
- Regular monthly and bi-monthly maintenance by Jagur mechanic
- A fine example of these very usable cars with desirable options
The Appeal
The Series 2 E-Type was the last of the classic original shape, but one that gained more comfort and luxury. For those reasons these cars make great touring classics, particularly when they are as good as this one.
This very pretty red metallic 1970 OTS left the factory with two highly desirable options that it usefully retains - an ultra rare matching hard top and power steering. The former gives drivers coupe or convertible versatility, while the latter considerably improves the driveability of these GT cars.
It has had just two keepers, the first - a USA army captain - until 2015. The current keeper added it to his collection in 2015 before importing it to the UK in 2020.
In very good condition, it is clear that this both highly original andhas wanted for nothing throughout its life. The history file dates back to the original bill of sale. The car received new floors when it arrived in the UK but otherwise has only needed regular checks, servicing and fettling. We are told it is attended to by a Jaguar mechanic at monthly and bi-monthly intervals.
This is a really good example of the short-lived and rare OTS Series 2 E-Type. With its LHD configuration and power steering it would make a great continental touring car on classic rallies and events.
The vendor says:
“If you love E Type Jaguars and you obviously do if you are viewing this auction lot, there are factors that you will have already weighed up in your mind.
“Is it Series 1,2 or 3. Should it be the fixed head coupe or the convertible?
“The great thing about this car is it's effectively two, potentially even three cars.
It comes with the quite rare option of a hard top which turns it into more like a coupe. You've then obviously got the black soft top when the soft top is up and the full convertible when the top is down. And in each of the three iterations of this car it looks, feels, drives and is noticed in very different ways by very different people.
“The first thing I always notice about E-Type Jaguars is their stance. Stance is very important. Sometimes the way the chassis sits on the wheels, the wheels look too thin and the car looks too precarious. I like an E-Type that's got a nice gait, with what seems like a wide stance with good solid wheels that sit perfectly on the chassis. That is why I like this car.
“I also like it because, as a Series 2, it has a larger cabin than the Series 1.
“I am just over 6 feet and the level of comfort compared to a series 1 cabin is huge.
“And you'll notice from the listing that it has the 'P' initial at the front of the certification number, which means it's very rare in it has power steering.
“And power steering is a really good inclusion to an E-Type. And I have one without power steering to know the difference.
“And it now deserves to go to a new home.
“I'm selling this car because I have two garages with other classic cars in them. It's time to make some room. Bizarrely, I have been doing short runs in this car more as I lead up to placing it up for auction.
“This is a car that is distinct enough for kids to point it out to their parents; not too arrogant that people let you out at the junction; special enough that people roll down their windows or shout with a thumbs up and pretty enough that I’ve had women who have told me they would love to drive it or even just be a passenger.
“But most conversations are from guys my age who tell me it was always their favourite car or that their uncle of father owned one.
“I know my kids will say that to someone in one of these in years to come. Happy bidding. Happy to answer questions.
History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1970 in the USA
- Only two registered keepers
- Originally purchased by an army captain in the United States who owned it until 2015
- Current keeper purchased the car in 2015
- First UK registered November 2020
- One registered UK keeper, whos acquired car in USA as above
- Extensive documentation including the original bill of sale from 1970
- Comprehensive paperwork supporting the vehicle's history
- Comes with original tools, jacks, and tool kits
- Includes various printed ephemera from the vehicle's history as shown
- Stored in dry protected storage in Connecticut with an E-Type specialist for five years prior to arriving in UK
- Imported to the UK in 2020 and has been garaged since arrival
- Factory handbooks, literature and other paperwork as shown
- Part of a small classic car collection
- Factory hard top included
- Original Jaguar ‘Passport’ and workshop folder as shown
- Maintained by a Jaguar mechanical at monthly and bi monthly intervals since 2020
- Described as ‘very original’ by the seller
The vendor tells us:
“I bought this car in 2015 and I was the second person to own it after the original owner. Which means that all of the paperwork that comes with it and its provenance are all from the original purchase back in 1970, of which you will see in the photographs the original bill of sale. It also comes with tools, jacks, tool kits, all original pieces, some amazing printed ephemera that also comes with the car.
“I had intended for it to be the car that I kept for many decades. I have other classic cars, some of which are in the process of renovation, and so this car sat in dry protected storage in Connecticut, with an E Type specialist for the first five years after I purchased it, before coming to the UK in 2020. It has been garaged at the house which is shown in the photographs for every day of its life since.
“Since I have had it, I've not really done enough miles in it, but it has had continual updates, engine tuning, reconditioning and all the things that you would expect from owning a nearly 60 year old car. The first thing I did when I received the car into the UK was to replace the entire floor of the car, which was quite an undertaking.
“I've been at pains throughout my ownership of this car to maintain and improve the excellent provenance that comes with it.
“This car was purchased and owned by an army captain in 1970 in the United States until I purchased it in 2015. It's an original car that was originally bought by him with lots of extras and those have been maintained throughout its life. This is not a car that's been to a classic restorers and been taken apart and had a nut and bolt restoration. It is a very good car that has been looked after throughout its life. Our restorer/mechanic is a specialist in Jaguar and attends the car on a monthly/bi monthly basis, checking the sort of things that I should check, were I to have more than a limited knowledge of mechanics.
“That said, this is a very forgiving car that through its upgrades and attention, is a get in and drive car.”
The Condition
- Finished in red metallic with black interior
- The vendor rates the overall condition as 8/10
- Paintwork presents well with original Federal specification lighting as shown
- Very good panelwork and ‘stance’ which is indicative of a well-sorted E-Type
- Supplied with folding black vinyl soft top in very good condition
- Tonneaus in matching vinyl finish as shown
- Also included matching factory hard top in very good order as shown
- Minor scratches to the plexiglass rear windscreen in the hard top
- These points would likely be easy to repair
- Underneath appears in very good order
- Floors recently replaced and protected with stone and weather protection coatings
- Chrome wire wheels in good order as shown
- Exterior chromework presents well with few indications of age
- Dashboard dials would benefit from reconditioning according to the vendor
- Armrest box has a loose hinge that needs tightening
- Air conditioning unit is currently removed but included with the sale
- Power steering fitted
- E-Type wood-rimmed steering wheel
The Mechanics
- 4235cc Jaguar XK engine
- Manual 4-speed transmission
- Left-hand drive configuration
- The vendor states the engine runs beautifully
- Benefits from regular attention by a Jaguar specialist mechanic as detailed above
- Recent engine tuning and reconditioning throughout current ownership
- Extensive history file of maintenance dating back to the car’s earliest days
- No reported running or driving issues
- Very tidy engine bay as shown
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