1970 Jaguar E Type Series II – Classified of the Week

It’s no secret that we like a racy little number here at Car & Classic, so when we were looking for a suitable car for Classified of the Week we couldn’t help but be drawn to this rather magnificent 1970 Jaguar E Type Series II. Built to fast road/track specification, this is not your traditional E Type. Instead, it’s a raw, visceral, snarling beast of a machine that is just begging to be given a damn good spanking. It did start life as a traditional Jaguar E Type, of course. It was supplied new by Jaguar Cars of York and registered on the 26th of October 1970. Interestingly though, it didn’t prowl the streets of York. Build as a left-hooker, this E Type went off to the United States, where it stayed until 2011.

Upon landing back on home soil, the then-new owner opted to have the car converted to right-hand drive and enjoyed his offside seating position for a further six years before selling the car in 2017. That’s when things started to get a bit racy. The car was stripped back and most of the leather, wood and carpet was thrown away. With the body inspected and up to muster, the original trim was replaced with a full cage, bucket seats, TRS harnesses, fire extinguisher and battery cut off. Externally, the chrome (bar that around the windows) was removed, giving this E Type n even sleeker look. Minilite style wheels were fitted, as was a fetching twin stripe over the length of the car.

But what about the oily bits? You can build a car that looks this mean, only to ignore the way it goes. Happily, there was nothing in the way of ignoring. The mighty straight-six engine has been completely rebuilt, it breathes deep through a collection of three triple carbs, there’s a six-branch manifold, uprated fuel system with twin Facet pumps, an alloy radiator, ignition overhaul and more. The manual transmission has been refurbished, and there is a new 3.31:1 differential fitted. Each corner has uprated brakes, and custom adjustable suspension all around. It is, make no mistake, a serious bit of kit.

The Jaguar E Type is a car that commands an immense amount of respect. It’s a halo car for many, something that people consider to be the ultimate classic. And rightly so, after all, it is a car with tremendous history as well as being one of the finest looking cars ever to exist (even Enzo Ferrari said as much). However, with that respect comes an unwillingness to alter them. That’s why this one is so very special. It could have simply been restored and kept as a ‘traditional’ Jaguar E Type. And that would have been fine. But it wouldn’t have been all that exciting. This one, with its stripes, its snarling engine and its bumper-less body is exciting. It’s a raw, in your face, shouty lump of metal that will thrill and set your adrenaline glands into overdrive.

The Jaguar E Type has been a race car for as long as it has been a road car. It was a familiar sight at race tracks across the globe. It even won the 1963 Australian GT Championship. It had cars like the D Type and the XK in its blood. It was not, nor has ever been a car just for Sunday drives, high days and holidays. This Series II is a reminder of that. An exciting, raw and ultimately, fun machine that really does have the ability to make you fall in love with driving again. Seriously, look at it, what a thing. And it could be yours for £71,950.