As the world entered a new and exciting decade Jaguar decided it was time to revolutionise their lineup, replacing the record-breaking XK platform the E-Type would have huge shoes to fill.

With a claimed 150 mph top speed and a sub 7 second 0-60 time this new Jaguar would have no issues competing with its Italian cousins. Fitted with disc brakes, rack and pinion steering, and independent front and rear suspension it would have the handling to match its grunt.

Designed in Jaguars Coventry factory the E-Type would be unveiled to the world at the Geneva motor show in 1961. Onlookers were awestruck when the covers came up over the long bonnet, met with such praise it was clear that this was going to be a huge success for the mark. It is rumoured that even said the Enzo Ferrari called it “the most beautiful car ever made” even if these reports are unconfirmed, he was not wrong.

Through 3 generations and countless motorsport wins the E-Type would capture the hearts of anyone who set eyes on it, when the model was retired in 1974 everyone thought that would be it.

However, in 2014 Jaguar released a statement that said they would build six final racing lightweight E-types that are now eligible for historic racing.

A car like the E-Type has never really been seen again, it encapsulates the mini-skirt wearing of the swinging-sixties perfectly. Over the past decade prices of E-Types have gone through the roof as people appreciate that a car like this can never be made again.

The story of this series 2 E-Type starts at the end of the sixties, only a month after Apollo 11 had landed on the moon, on the 17th of July it gets delivered to its first owner from Henlys of London. Finished in signal red with a black hide interior it would have looked stunning on the streets of South London.

With the E-Type being such an emotional and easy car to drive the first owner would keep it for almost 20 years! Clearly, in love with their E-Type, we can imagine it was a sad day when the second owner bought the car in 1986.

The second owner picked this car up at the height of summer ’86 and owned it until October of 2021 it is a genuine two-owner car that has not been passed around and only been owned by enthusiasts. The second owner would give this E-Type anything it needed with a history file to back this up. This second owner loved this car keeping her in a garage when it wasn’t in use. However, it was regularly used to go to and from their local golf course.

When the time came to sell this E-Type the previous owner subsequently sold it to the current vendor.

An independent high-end dealer, they operate differently from many other dealers, only buying directly from the customer so they can form a bond over the shared interest of cars and understand the individual story of each of their cars.

When it arrived with the current vendor, it went through a rigorous assessment and has had some work completed to make her a perfect but still usable example of a glorious British classic.

It is this relationship between all of the owners that make this E-Type such an interesting purchase. The knowledge that has been passed between only two owners about this car has paid dividends and has now led to this being an excellent example.

This E-Type has an outstanding history file collated by the previous owner it provides us with a brilliant visual documentary of the works that have been completed over the past 50+ years. If we start with the modern legal documents the V5c, which shows only 1 previous keeper, is present so the new owner can drive away from this car straight home on the day of collection, there are also countless MOT certificates.

These MOT certificates offer an insight into the mind of the previous owners, this car is MOT exempt and therefore doesn’t need one to be on the road, but they have made sure that this car is safe for use. A brilliant little look into the meticulous preventative maintenance that it has been through. 

Having a look at some of the original Jaguar documents that are still with the car we are presented with the original operating maintenance and service handbook and I.C.M.E manual.

The Jaguar documents don’t stop there, there is also an all-important Jaguar Heritage certificate which outlines highlights from the original car record book. It documents that this is indeed a numbers matching car that is still presented in the same specification that it left the factory within 1969.

There are also a pile of receipts for parts that have been bought to keep this car on the roads in tip-top shape, ranging from bonnet gas struts to bodywork to rectify any patches of corrosion.

The new owner could happily spend an afternoon sifting through these documents and building a picture of how well this car has been looked after for the past 50 years.

The interior of an E-Type is just as marvelous as the exterior, with comfortable leather seats, a bank of Smiths dials, switches for everything your heart could desire, and a big Moto-Lita wooden steering wheel it is a perfect place to spend an afternoon.

Throughout its life with the second owner it was used regularly and therefore it looked and felt a little tired when it got to Hitchin, as a result, there have been some works done on the interior to bring it back to life.

First of all of the Smiths dials have been removed and then professionally rebuilt allowing you to read the vital information that they provide. Along with this job another vital job that was undertaken was a refit of the foam in the seat bases, after years of use the foam had collapsed, so with this new foam, these seats are now extremely comfortable.

It is important to note that the leather on the seats is still the original leather it left the factory with in 1969, providing wonderful patina. A few minor works that have been completed include a new heater blower motor and new wiper blades.

What we have to remember is that this car has been used properly throughout its life, so we are not looking at a Concours condition interior, there are a few pieces of wear and tear dotted around the cabin but these are all parts of this car's story.

This E-Type has also received a new mohair hood, so the interior part of the hood is in perfect condition, still using the original mechanism it folds down quickly to unlock a new driving characteristic where you can listen to the glorious 4.2L inline-6.

There are indeed a few areas of damage on the interior but this should not detract from the overall thrill of being able to get in and drive it wherever you want, because, let’s be honest, if it was Concours condition you would be too scared to get in it.

The pièce de résistance of the E-Type is the exterior as much a piece of art as it is an automobile. The long bonnet, sweeping lines, and wire wheels culminate in one of the best-looking cars to have ever graced the automotive space. Back in 2008, this car received a full respray in the same Signal Red it left the factory with, during this process any dents or areas of corrosion were dealt with so that it could stay on the roads for a long time into the future.

It has to be said that from every angle this car looks beautiful, with perfectly presented wire wheels, chrome bumpers that could be used as mirrors, and a new snug fitting mohair hood it is an example that can be used on a day to day bases that you don’t have to worry too much about.

With this being the convertible version of the Series 2 E-Type, you are effectively getting two cars for your money, as much a sleek coupe as it is a roofless tourer.

The mechanism to open and close this roof is slick and makes the roof easily retractable if you are flying solo. The folded away roof can then be neatly hidden underneath the tonneau cover that is stored in the boot.

Should you wish to tour with this E-Type the previous owner has fitted a lovely luggage rack on the boot lid, adding another string to this car's bow it truly is a usable classic.

Like many British cars from this era they are known to succumb to the dreaded tin worm, a prospective buyer should be put at ease that this car isn’t suffering from any major areas of corrosion.

Since the respray and corrosion repair was undertaken in 2008 it has always been garaged when not in use protecting the metalwork from any unwanted issues.

No matter where you take this car it will never fail to turn a head, there is a sense of pride that overcomes the British public when they see one of these classics out on the road, and with this one finished in the stunning Signal Red you will have no trouble attracting many adoring gazes.

Throughout the previous ownership, the thought process was to complete any work to keep this big cat purring away as it should. As a result, this car is now present in remarkable mechanical condition, with some major works being completed throughout the previous ownership. 

The 4.2L inline-six that is nestled under the glorious clamshell bonnet has been properly looked after. Starting ‘on the button’ it purrs away smoothy, with a slight throaty growl you know that this car means business. It is reported that it has had the important rear seal upgrade in 2010 along with an engine rebuild and a new clutch to keep her firing on all cylinders. 

Some more recent work that has been completed include a full service that included a change of spark plugs, brake fluid and coolant change, a fresh MOT, top ball joint repairs, and the front wheel bearings have also been replaced. With all of these works carried out the next owner can enjoy this car from day one without having to worry.

When you are out on the road with the top down it provides a soundtrack to die for. Pulling well in all gears throughout the rev range this is a great car to live with and explore the world. The E-Type provides a sense of occasion and emotion that modern cars just don’t have.

Overall, the mechanical condition of this car is excellent, with the current custodian mentioning they would happily get in it tomorrow and road trip it up to Scotland without a second thought, it goes to show how usable this 50-year-old car is. It is this ease of use that sets the E-Type apart from its historic rivals and why you should add one to your garage.

Is there any car on the planet as appealing as an E-Type, we think not, with this car's low owner count and big history folder it could be the best purchase of your life. The Series 2 can be seen as the best E-Type to have, with an improved 4.2L inline-6 from the Series 1 with better cooling and a more comfortable interior but avoiding the Series 3’s somewhat questionable design it sits quietly in the middle as the one to have.

This E-Type has lived a plush life and it's thanks to this that it is now presented as a usable classic car, unlike a Concours condition car, this E-Type can be used every day and enjoyed as it should be.

A perfect car for the upcoming summer you should see this as the best deal you have been offered so far in 2022.

Why not fulfil a childhood dream and get one of the best-looking and performing cars of the previous century?


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