Highlights

One of the best examples on the market, following a professional restoration only 2,000 miles ago
Meticulously maintained with £14,000 spent since the restoration in 2018
Work covered mechanicals, bodywork and trim and was finished to the highest quality (see photographic record below)
Bespoke colour scheme with Ascot Fawn and black wires
One of the last Series II FHC cars built
Historic Vehicle with MOT to March 2025 with no advisories

The Appeal

The Series II E-Type is a popular choice with enthusiasts who value the early aesthetics, but want a car that they can really use and enjoy day to day. This car was built for exactly that.

Its bespoke, carefully selected Ascot Fawn over black leather colour scheme - the black wires are a neat touch too - is the product of a lengthy, high end restoration by GS Concours and Willow Triumph since the car arrived in the UK in 2017. That covered a full body renovation and bare metal respray, retrim and mechanicals overhaul with engine rebuild. It has covered less than 2,000 miles since in the hands of the same keeper.

The quality of that work is obvious from the photographs - a quick look at the doors and bonnet will reveal flush panel fit, for example. Since completion the seller has expended a further £14,000 to keep this car at the highest level. That equates to over £7/mile. A further sign of his fastidious approach to maintenance is the car’s regular run of MOTs since completion, which is no longer a legal requirement by age. The current test runs to March 2025 with no advisories.

By condition, this is one of the best Series II FHCs we’ve seen. The compelling colour scheme and maintenance history are icing on the cake. Definitely one not to miss.

The History and Paperwork

First registered in late 1970
JDHT certificate confirms manufactured 27th August 1970
One of the last Series II cars with the ‘2R’ prefix given to final USA-market cars
Matching numbers body and chassis but engine is a replacement XK 4.2 unit
Vendor advises that this engine is an age-appropriate Series II E-Type engine
This engine has serial number 7R12037-9 but the V5 shows the original factory unit number
Extensive history file covering the car’s time in USA and UK
Various correspondence with DVLA and Jaguar Enthusiasts Club regarding VIN (see below)
Certificate of Title from Florida in USA
Imported to UK and registered here on 8th August 2017
Brought to UK by restoration specialists GS Concours as a project
Restored over 15 months to early 2018 for the current keeper
Converted from LHD to RHD during the restoration process
Acquired by the current keeper during the restoration process
Work completed by Willow Triumph when GS Concours ceased trading
Carefully documented restoration process including photographs and 14 page booklet
Various invoices from Willow Triumph and other for restoration and ongoing work
Vendor reports that he has spent £14,000 since restoration on maintenance and improvements
Speedometer zero’d at restoration and now showing 1,950 miles
Mileage is verified by regular MOT tests
Car is registered as a Historic Vehicle so MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt
Current MOT runs to 17th March 2025 with no advisories and 1,811 miles showing on test

The history of this significant E-Type is both carefully documented and very interesting. The JDHT certificate confirms it was built on 27th August 1970 and despatch to the USA, where it resided - mainly in dry state Florida - until 2017.

This car is unusual in that it carries a ‘2R’ chassis prefix. Most Series II E-Types had ‘1R’ prefixes. This nomenclature was applied to a small number of the final cars, all bound for the USA. Only 805 cars were stamped this way from April 1970 to the end of Series II production in October 1970. This car is the 260th from last Series II LHD FHC built.

The E-Type enthusiasts interest may be further piqued by the chassis number. The seller has done extensive research to understand a small discrepancy in the factory records and the stamped chassis number. It appears that the chassis was overstamped with the number 2R28586 (the factory number is 2R28256). Working with the DVLA and Jaguar Enthusiasts Club he has discerned that this was done to rectify an error in the USA importation paperwork - this being the preferred alternative to the lengthy process of adjusting the documentation. This research is documented in the history file and chassis number 2R28526 is verified as correct.

The car was acquired by GS Concours from the USA for restoration in 2017. This work stalled when the business ceased trading. Work then transferred to Willow Triumph where some rectification was carried out and the project completed in April 2018. The work is extensively documented in the history file, including a 14 page booklet of photographs and records.

The car was acquired from the USA with a spare engine. The original engine was considered unserviceable so the replacement engine was rebuilt and installed. The vendor and independent research verifies that this engine, whose details are provided above, is a Series II E-Type engine of the appropriate era.

The vendor acquired the car during restoration and has been the single keeper in the UK. He tells us that he has expended a further £14,000 on maintenance. It has covered 1,950 miles since restoration, which is documented by a run of MOTs. These provide a helpful independent verification of the condition and show just one very minor advisory since 2017.

The Condition

Bare metal restoration in Ascot Fawn to a high standard
Originally factory finished in Sable with Cinnamon leather interior
Smart black powder coated wire wheels and black leather interior with beige piping
Bodywork in very good order with flush panel fit and solid, well kept panelwork
Interior retrimmed to a high standard with bespoke, complementary colour scheme
Retains its USA specification side marker lights but converted to RHD
Chromework in good order with bright bumpers and trim
Underside in very good condition with no structural advisories on current MOTs
Fitted with quality Pirelli tyres and three spoke wood-rimmed wheel
Trickle charger connection point and classic-style modern radio with Bluetooth

It is clear that some considerable thought has gone into the specification of this car. The 18 months restoration was completed by Willow Triumph and the quality is obvious from the photographs. They show very good panel fit and paint finish, the sparing use ensuring it remains in similar condition to how it must have looked in April 2018 when the current keeper collected the car from Willow.

The colour scheme shows a similar attention to detail, the Ascot Fawn accented by powder coated black wires and a black interior that continues the exterior theme with beige piping. Inside and out this is a car that is in very good order.

The Mechanics

Rebuilt 4.2L Series II engine with 1,950 miles since completion
4spd manual gearbox
Reconditioned and rebuilt mechanicals by GS Concours and Willow Triumph
Further £14,000 invested by vendor since completion
Fuel system upgraded to twin SUs
Rebuilt 3.07:1 ratio differential
Uprated revote twin fan radiator with electric thermostat
Auto enrichment device (AED) fitted
K& N Filter fitted
Very tidy engine bay typical of vendor’s approach to this car
Regularly MOT’d with only one very minor advisory since completion of the rebuild
No reported running or driving issues
No mechanical or running advisories on current MOT

This car was acquired by 2017 with a spare engine because the original was considered unserviceable. This unit, which is confirmed by the seller as an original, period-correct Series II E-Type engine, was fully rebuilt along with the rest of the mechanicals. The car has covered less than 1,950 miles since completion.

Since restoration was finished in April 2018 the vendor has invested a further £14,000 in the car. The list of sensible improvements is outlined above and each improve the reliability and driveability of this very good car.

The car comes to market with a valid MOT to March 2025 with no mechanical or running gear advisories. As such it is ready for the buyer to benefit from the vendor’s meticulous approach to owning and running this car.

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

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or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]