Highlights

An exciting garage-find project
Much work already completed
Supplied with some early history
JDHT certificate

The Appeal

Launched on 15th March, 1961, the E-type was the replacement for Jaguar’s aging XK platform and it went above and beyond what anyone expected. When seen for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show, necks swivelled and jaws dropped. After Geneva, the press had a field day. All the motoring journals and newspapers fell over themselves to give the E-type the highest possible praise. The road tests in The Autocar and The Motor confirmed Jaguar’s claims that it would hit 150mph, an astonishing figure for a production car in 1961.

The greatest contributing factors towards this outstanding achievement were the 3.8-litre dohc straight-six XK engine and the gorgeous streamlined bullet profile, the work of Malcolm Sayer. It also boasted a radical method of construction, with the engine and suspension supported by a front subframe which effectively made the car chassisless, and provided the perfect combination of lightness and rigidity.

While the E-type was destined for greatness in competition, for many people, it is better remembered as a cultural icon of the Swinging Sixties. Anyone who was anyone in celebrity culture bought one. George Harrison and George Best both posed with their own 2+2s. A white roadster had a starring rôle in the 1965 Dave Clark Five film Catch Us If You Can, and another two had major supporting rôles in The Italian Job.

To many enthusiasts, the Series I represents the E-type at its best, before American mandates interfered with the purity of the design, and the 4.2-litre straight-six is considered most desirable. Offered alongside a 3.8-litre six, both produced 265bhp and would propel the E-type to 150mph, but the 4.2 was a torquier engine providing better acceleration. In period, the open-top roadster was the most popular body style, with 17,378 built between 1961 and 1968.

This 4.2 Roadster has so much potential. With a bit of effort, it could be the perfect car for sunny days in the countryside. Until then, it promises to be an engaging project ideal for the experienced restorer, or anyone with the time and the will to see it live again.

The History and Paperwork

Manufactured on 2nd June 1967 in British Racing Green with a black interior, black hood and manual gearbox
Despatched on 16th June, registered HND 1E and sold through Henlys Ltd. of Manchester
Ordered by Henry Desmond Leete of Buxton, Derbyshire, it is believed HND 1E was allocated to reflect his name, Henry Desmond
If Leete took delivery, his tenure was brief; the car was bought from Henlys on 18th July 1967 by Basil Robinson of Stockport, Cheshire
Appears to have been bought by F. G. Grundy in 1970 and then by Howard Douglas Wild, who was the first owner known to the DVLA, in 1977
Last used on the road in 1980 and then discovered in 2005 in a garage by Peter Hurst of Hurst Auto Engineers
Hurst commenced the restoration, hence a large number of new parts were purchased in 2005
Hurst sold it to the present owner in 2019, but Hurst’s mechanic continued with the restoration, which has now stalled
Offered for sale in a dismantled state with the body stripped to the shell, a large amount of work has already been completed but more remains to be done
Paperwork includes a current V5, Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate (engine number etc are matching) a photograph album showing the car as found and some of the work completed, a collection of invoices from 2005 for new parts purchased totalling over £2500
There are various historic documents from the 1970s, including repair and maintenance invoices from Henlys, a test certificate and tax discs
There is a collection of original owner’s documents including the sales and service booklet, the Henlys service policy, maintenance and lubrication charts and seatbelt fitting instructions, plus a guide to tuning and servicing the SU carburettors

The Interior

All complete and unrestored
Requires total reassembly
Seats appear in very nice, patinated original condition

While the interior has obviously been reduced to its constituent parts and is spread among various boxes, we are advised that it is entirely complete.

As far as we can tell, the seats have survived very well without sustaining any serious damage. They appear to have no more than a superficial patina in keeping with their age, which we think looks most attractive. It may be advisable to reupholster them if you desire a concours restoration, but there is an expanding school of thought which favours preservation of originality where possible. Whichever course you take is, of course, a matter of personal preference, but we should delight in keeping them as they are, with originality and character.

The sections of the facia which we have seen also look to be in good condition, although we would advise bidders to consider that the dash may need rewiring and some gauges may need to be rebuilt.

The Exterior

Presented in very honest condition
Soft-top and detachable hardtop included
All glass and trim supplied

When it was first discovered languishing in a garage, this E-type was in a sorry state, but much of the hard work has already been done for you. The body has been stripped to the bare shell, so it’s not hiding anything. Almost all of the original paint has been stripped back, and where the car has had some previous repairs, those sections have been taken back to the metal.

Using a purpose-built rotisserie, the floors have been completely replaced with all-new metal, one door has been replaced and a number of repair panels are positioned for final welding. In every instance, these are all approved parts supplied by Martin Robey or Hutson.

Before it was discovered, the E-type had suffered corrosion in a number of places and, while most of it has now been remedied, a few areas still require repairs, most notably around the rear end. Some lead-loading will be required to authentically recreate the factory finish. To the best of the vendor’s knowledge, all the relevant repair sections are present to allow this to be completed. The vendor advises that when the welding is complete, the car is acid-dipped, seam-sealed and leaded prior to painting.

We are advised that the trim and fixtures, such as the windows and brightwork, are present and correct. The glass looks in good condition but the chrome has deteriorated significantly, so will have to be replated to get the E-type back to a show-worthy standard. The wheels appear sound but will likewise require cosmetic restoration.

The E-type is supplied with a folding hood and a detachable hardtop. The hardtop will benefit from a respray, and possibly some small repairs, while the hood looks to have some frays and tears around the edges so probably requires replacement.

The Mechanics

Engine, gearbox, and front and rear axles/subframes all present
Not driven on the road since 1980
We do not know if the engine turns

All the major assemblies – engine, gearbox and front and rear axles/suspension – are present, so that’s a good start. The engine retains its three SU carburettors, just waiting to be reconditioned and restored to their customary high shine. Some of the ancillary parts have been removed but, we are advised, are all present. Indeed, the only part absent from the whole car is the exhaust pipe, which had deteriorated too far to be worth repairing.

The semi-monocoque construction, with the body of the car as one unit and the engine and suspension carried by separate subframes, was both revolutionary and celebrated for its strength and lightness. In the case of this car, the subframes look to be structurally intact and in need of minimal serious work. The vendor does advise that the rear subframe requires refurbishment but says, “apart from that the car can be assembled back to its original working condition.”

The brakes are something of a bonus, as they have been upgraded in the past with Cooper Craft brakes.

While the engine looks a bit scruffy, when the car was in the ownership of Peter Hurst/Hurst Auto Engineering, it was serviced and made to run, and there is video footage of this happening. The car obviously has not been driven since discovery.

With any project of this scale, it is generally advisable to be comprehensive, lest there should be some hidden fault. Accordingly, we would recommend closely inspecting the engine, gearbox and subframes, and stripping and rebuilding them if necessary, fitting new seals, bushes and other perishable parts where applicable. The engine, in any case, will still require cosmetic restoration.

The Summary

We’d all love a Jaguar E-type in our garage and, given the choice, most of us would probably go for a Series I 4.2 Roadster. There’s just one catch: they’re so desirable that they do sell for a premium. While that may place the restored examples beyond reach for some, a restoration project like this offers an excellent and affordable way into E-type ownership.

There’ll be some work involved, of course, but there’s nothing terrifying about this one. The remaining bodywork and mechanical work is well within the capabilities of your typical specialist, and there’s lots the home restorer will be able to get on with, too. We’d allow a few months for getting it done, but this time next year you could be the proud owner of a freshly restored Series I E-type, then who wouldn’t want to be in your shoes?

Notice to offerers

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*

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