Highlights

Matching numbers Series I E-type
Desirable UK delivered right-hand drive example
Beautiful Opalescent silver-blue paintwork
Subject to impressive mechanical restoration
Reliable car that’s made several trips to Le Mans without issue
Enormous and impressive history file

The Appeal

Perhaps one of the most legendary British ‘Big Cats’ ever built, the Sayer-Designed E-Type is a long-nosed, round-grilled beauty that took inspiration from the brand’s Le Mans champion, the D-type. This lightweight, long-nosed, sports car became well-regarded as one of the most beautiful designs of the era.

This example is a highly desirable matching numbers car, with a stylish colour scheme and a simply monumental history file that’s recorded almost every movement the car has made to the current day.

Series 1 E-Types are one of the most iconic cars of the 60s, and this is an example that’s bound to beguile any enthusiast.

The History and Paperwork

First registered in December 1966
Originally solid by Arnold Clark in Glasgow
In vendor’s ownership from 2015, until 2020
11 previous owners, the final change in 2020 being the owner’s son
This is because the vendor moved to Spain, but didn’t import the car with them
Kept in a climate-controlled air chamber since 2015
Heavily restored in 2004
Extensively worked on in 2015
In 2016 the carbs and ignition were overhauled
Fully prepared with new hoses, bushes, pads, pistons and seals in 2022
Indicates 66,390 miles on a five-figure odometer
We can’t guarantee this as an authentic mileage
However, it has been unused since June 2022
No known mechanical modifications

Enormous paperwork file including:

- Folders of photographs during restoration work
- Stacks of invoices, going back to at least 1985
- An index of new and replacement components
- A selection of diagrams
- Registration documents
- Jaguar-Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate
All held in folders and archive books

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The Interior

Retrimmed interior in blue with dark blue leather seats
New dash-top vinyl is included in the sale for the vendor to fit
Attractive period condition with tactile instruments
Wooden-trimmed ‘Racing Jaguar’ wheel

Beautifully retrimmed in dark blue leather, the interior of this E-type is beautifully kept. With a black dashboard, laden with a swathe of tactile, 60s-style instruments, the car represents fabulously from top to bottom. We note some issues with the dash-top, but the vendor is providing a new one with the sale.

All of the instruments appear to be in fine order, with no faults reported by the vendor. The lettering on every switch, dial and button appears clean and brightly presented, and the steering wheel and switchgear both present very nicely.

The retrimmed dark blue leather seats have been done to a very high standard, and present very well. They look plump and comfortable, with soft leather looking very clean, and carrying a very evocative grain. The carpets and headlining are in good order, though there is some older damp discolouration to the headlining.

The boot is very clean and beautifully lined, with no faults we can spot and no signs of corrosion or excessive wear.

The Exterior

Highly impressive Opalescent Silver-Blue paintwork
Some signs of wear, though less than many of its contemporaries
Original spoked wheels

With its long nose, curvy cabin and distinctive grille, the E-Type is one of the most recognisable cars ever to come out of Coventry. This example is reassuringly original, bedecked in a stylish colour scheme of Opalescent blue with brightly presented chrome.

An E-type rarely comes to us with this level of preservation, however, thanks to its original nature, there are some signs of wear. You may spot the odd paint bubble or spot of corrosion, and there’s a stone chip on the rear-left wheel arch. The vendor particularly points to some corrosion to the right-front bumper. However, the bodywork is all tightly-knit and still in that iconic, original shape.

The brightwork and glasswork present very nicely, with gentle peppers of patina that do nothing to detract from the car’s overall appearance. This extends to Jaguar branding and the distinctive spoked wheels, which perfectly match the car.

It’s wearing a full set of tyres, which are practically new and look superb. There’s plenty of tread on offer, and for all intents and purposes, the car appears ready for the road.

Underneath, the car’s carrying gentle signs of corrosion, but for a Jaguar of the era, is in remarkably fine-looking fettle.

The Mechanics

Powered by the car’s original 4235cc XK I6 powerplant
4-speed manual transmission

The car was heavily overhauled in 2004 and 2005 and this included:

Clutch refurbishment
New steering rack mounts
Break callipers
Half-shaft joints
New heater/screen wash motor
Full servicing

In current ownership the car has had:

- New steering rack
- Swivel joints
- Rear spring spacers
- General servicing
- Overhaul of carburettors
- Overhaul of ignition systems

In 2022 the car was prepared for a tour to Le Mans, which included new:

Hoses
Propshaft joints
Bushes
Brake pads
Pistons
Seals
Fluids
…All of which is represented in the invoices

Lightly used, and always kept in climate control, this car has been cossetted, and represents an utterly superb example of the E-type. The engine bay is a work of art, beautifully presented and nicely kept with no major faults.

The vendor reports the car was last used for the Le Mans 24hr in 2022, during which it performed incredibly well, thanks in part to full preparation work. The result is that this Coventry Cat is as able as you’d expect from a truly winning breed.

It starts, drives, shifts and brakes with no issues, something representative of its dedicated ownership. We’re fairly sure you’d have trouble finding a better-kept example of the XK engine.

Summary

Understandably, this is a hard sell for the owner. This is a truly beautiful example of an iconic sports car, and is backed by a history that challenges even the most bureaucratic of enthusiasts.

We rarely see an example so well-kept, and we’re certain it’ll prove a most desirable prospect.

Notice to bidders

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