Highlights

Only 65,000 miles from new with just 2 former registered keepers
Recent £50,000 restoration including bare metal respray in original Pale Primrose
Engine completely rebuilt by Nigel Boycott, former Jaguar specialist
Neatly modified to UK spec with Series 1 rear lights
Sympathetically upgraded including Tremec 5spd gearbox and UK-spec carburettors
Previous US keeper owned car for 42 years
Boxed and unfitted £4,000 air conditioning system included

The Appeal

At first glance, this clever 1970 E-Type may confuse enthusiasts. With its original slim lights above the rear bumper, it looks like a ‘Series 1.5’ car, yet its 1970 build date places it as a late Series 2. It is the latter, but a car that the vendor has cleverly upgraded with tweaks to the aesthetics and running gear to make it look and drive better than it left the factory. The modifications can be removed and the car returned to standard, but when you hear about them, we wonder if you’d want to.

This is a USA LHD car that the vendor acquired in 2017 and imported to the UK. The previous keeper had owned the car for 42 years. Once in the UK, a six-year restoration began that we are told cost £50,000. The body was returned to bare metal and restored in its original Pale Primrose. This work included converting the aesthetics to UK specification by removing the marker lights and fitting the Series 1 rear units. The engine was fully rebuilt by specialist Nigel Boycott in Coventry. A five-speed Tremec gearbox and modified propshaft by Beagle Engineering was installed to improve long-distance touring, and it received a new clutch, and triple SU carburettors were returned to UK specification.

Inside, the black leather has been fully retrimmed. The folding roof is, we are told, original but presents well in photos. The car sits on a set of smart chrome wire wheels.

The original gearbox, carburettors and Series 2 rear lights are included. The original a/c unit has been removed and the car is supplied with an unfitted brand new system that the vendor tells us is worth £4,000.

Here is an opportunity to capitalise on a recent high-end restoration. This pretty car neatly blends original and updated features, with the option to retain or reinstate as you wish.

The vendor says:

“Because of the rebuilt engine and new custom gearbox this is a very drivable and fast car that can easily cruise comfortably & economically, the fifth gear is more or less an overdrive.

“As much of the originality of the car has been maintained, hopefully a buyer will agree this car represents an excellent low mileage 3 owner original drivable car with sympathetic upgrades that will give them the perfect usable eye-catching E-Type roadster.”

History and Paperwork

First registered in 1970
Vendor states that car has had two former registered keepers
Imported from Virginia, USA in 2017
The previous keeper retained car for 42 years, we are told
First UK registered December 2017
Single UK keeper since arriving in UK
Moved to Southern Portugal by seller on acquisition
Genuine 65,000 miles from new according to seller
Comprehensive documentation including work by specialist Nigel Boycott
Original keys and key ring fob we are told
Spare ignition key (still screwed to the back of the fuse panel by Jaguar during manufacture) included
Underwent a six-year restoration with over £50,000 invested
All original components that have been replaced are included with the sale
Service manual included
Spare wood-rimmed steering wheel
V5C in the current keeper’s name
Registered as a Historic Vehicle
Photographic record of restoration with some photos included, as shown
VIN number 1R13120 shows car was built in 1970 as a LHD OTS

The vendor says:

This LHD E-Type roadster was purchased from the state of Virginia, USA in 2017. Bill was the 82 (now 89) year old previous owner who owned and treasured it for 42 years. It had covered just 58,000 miles. He was the second owner. I am the third. This Etype has now covered a genuine 65,000 miles.

“After being imported back from the USA to the UK it was sent down to Southern Portugal where I was living. It has since undertaken a 6 year resurrection. Although in reasonable condition with very little rust (only on the passenger door skin) I felt it needed refurbishment which ended up as over £50,000 worth of work.”

The Condition

Full bare metal respray in the original Pale Primrose colour
Black leather interior has been completely replaced
Original hood appears in very good condition with just three minor professional repairs
All folding wind-up window rubber seals on the soft top metal frame have been renewed
Hood cover is in very good condition
Original chrome wire wheels fitted with 185/15 Dunlop tyres
All chrome on the car is original and looks smart
Chrome wire wheels present well in photos
Series 1 rear lights have been customised to fit the Series 2 body with minimal modification to the tub
Original clock upgraded with a modern Smiths movement and now works
All other clocks, dials and switches reported to be in working order
Motorlita steering wheel fitted (original included with the car)
Original radio present but not functioning
Original spare wheel in the boot with scissor jack and "Thor" mallet
Complete custom-made E-Type air conditioning system from Classic Auto Air included (valued at £4,000)

Pale Primrose is one of those period colours that really suits the E-Type’s lines, so it is no surprise that when this car was subject to a bare metal respray, the vendor chose to retain the colour. The photos show how well the work was completed, and also the condition of the bodywork, which includes a flush panel fit across the doors and bonnet in particular.

The car has been modified with Series 1 rear lights, the work appearing to have been done to a good standard. Inside there is a retrimmed black leather interior that shows little wear and included a wood-rimmed wheel. There is a spare wooden wheel in the boot and the car is supplied with an unfitted a/c system.

The Mechanics

4,235cc straight six XK engine
Engine completely rebuilt by Nigel Boycott, former Jaguar specialist
New 5-speed Tremec gearbox and prop shaft designed and manufactured by Beagle Engineering
Triple SU UK spec carburettors and air filters fitted, replacing the USA specification units
New electronic ignition, uprated coil and fuel pump installed
Spin-off oil filter added for improved maintenance
Aluminium radiator fitted with an independent control switch for electric cooling fans
Series 1 stainless steel straight-through exhaust system with 6-branch manifold
New clutch and slave cylinder fitted during engine rebuild
Gearbox tunnel heat-proofed for improved comfort
Alternator professionally rebuilt
Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) serviced with new rear discs and brake service

The vendor tells us that he is the third keeper of this car and he verifies the displayed mileage of 65,000 miles. While the low mileage is reassuring, in a way it is irrelevant because this car has received such an extensive mechanical overhaul and upgrade.

We are told that before the vendor acquired the car in 2017 the IRS and rear discs were overhauled. Subsequently, it has received a full engine rebuild by marque specialist Nigel Boycott in Coventry. The carburettors have been converted to UK specification and the car has a 5spd Tremec gearbox with modified propshaft by Beagle Engineering.

The usage has been very sparing since completion, meaning that the buyer gets the benefit of all that work.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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