Highlights

• Incredibly low 28,367 miles from new and warranted!   
• Single long-term ownership for 35 years, current owner since 2014 
• Matching numbers and remarkably original throughout
• Complete with a huge paperwork file attesting to its exemplary maintenance
• Ready to use and enjoy immediately with summer seemingly upon us

The Appeal

 
The Jaguar E-Type is surely one of those rare cars that is instantly recognised by almost all. As such, it needs no introduction, achieving almost iconic status right from its 1961 launch thanks to its blend of sublime looks, performance, and value for money. Officially the E-Type was built across three series between 1961 and 1975.
 
This Series 3 V12 OTS car has enjoyed a lightly used life with six registered keepers to date having covered a mere 28,367 miles. The combination of professionally refinished exterior, diligently prepared mechanicals and original interior is as charming as it is compelling. The tiny original mileage (equating to less than 600 miles a year on average) and matching number provenance combine to make this a pretty special ownership proposition, the likes of which don’t come around often.
 

The History and Paperwork

• This E Type was supplied new by Jaguar dealer Reigate Garage Limited
• It is a UK supplied and specified car as denoted by its 1S1936 chassis number
• This also confirms it was the 255th right hand drive OTS produced in 1973
• The first registered keeper took delivery in August 1973
• The car was initially registered to a building company in Reigate
• By August of 1976 the E Type was sold by Hexagon of Highgate 
• The third registered keeper took possession then in exchange for £4,995
• At this juncture the E Type had covered around 6,500 miles
• The third keeper retained the car right up until October 2011
• During this 35-year stewardship just a shade under a further 17,000 miles were covered
• On acquiring the E Type in 2011, the fourth registered keeper undertook a light restoration
• This included a full respray and a new hood
• The fifth registered keeper acquired the car in 2013
• The current, and sixth, registered keeper bought the car at auction in July 2014
• At this point the Jaguar had covered 23,800 miles
• A box file full of fascinating paperwork accompany the E Type
• This starts with the current V5 registration document 
• This classifies the E Type as an Historic Vehicle and so VED and MOT exempt in the UK
• Despite that a current, advisory free MOT is present and valid until December 2024
• A full set of earlier MOTs in hard copy are also present
• These, combined with other documents, help validate the car’s mileage history
• The original Service Passport booklet is also on hand
• This documents 8 services undertaken between 865 and 22,485 miles 
• There is a plethora of earlier tax discs present, too
• The original owner’s manual is included as is an E Type workshop manual
• There are numerous invoices present from all periods of the car’s history
• Key amongst these is a Sigma Engineering one from 2013 detailing over £4000 spent
• Over £3,000 was spent in 2019 on engine out bearing, seal and clutch maintenance
• As recently as 2021 over £1,600 spent on remedial paintwork to the sills in 2021
• Other ephemera included the 2014 auction listing and numerous restoration photographs
• A spare key is also on hand

 

The Condition

• The exterior of this E Type is finished in deep and Old English White
• Thanks to a 2013 respray and a 2021 refresh the condition is excellent
• The deeply chromed wheels and fantail exhaust are highly evocative of the period
• Complete with its original interior featuring a charming level of patina
• The cabin is finished predominantly in blue with splashes of chrome accents
• It remains charmingly period correct and in fine order throughout

 
The paintwork on this E Type is a real highlight of the car and remains in the Old English White hue in which it left the factory. With a full respray in 2013 and attention to the sills and some inner panels in 2021 the car presents beautifully. It exudes a lustrous shine from every panel with no note-worthy imperfections evident.
 
The car’s chrome bumpers, and other trim pieces all look to be clean, bright, and shiny. The cabin glass and light lenses appear to be original and in fine fettle throughout. The blue mohair hood is in excellent condition, again thanks to its 2013 fitment. Its sophisticated blue finish contrasts perfectly with the bright livery of this fine car. The signature S3 fantail exhaust finisher is present, correct and in a shiny chromed finish.
 
The deeply chromed wheels covers are in a great condition and correctly affixed with Jaguar head, E Type scripted centre caps. The wheels are shod with a matching set of Pirelli P4000 tyres in the correct 205/70 configuration.
 
Key to the E Type’s charm is its switch and gauge laden interior. A welcome antidote to some of the minimalist interior treatments of contemporary cars. The interior of the E Type is thought to be original and so exhibiting just under 30,000 miles’ worth of delightful patina. The seats are finished in blue leather with just the right level of use related creasing. The seat centres are finished in perforated leather and stitched into vertical box pleats. These fold forwards to allow easy access to the useful, blue carpeted luggage shelf.
 
The cabin carpets are finished in blue, and edge bound in leather for enhanced longevity and luxury. The door cards and rear side panels are finished in blue. The front ones are horizontally dissected by chromed trim pieces and the original chromed door furniture is fitted.
 
The dashboard is finished with black top and bottom rolls. The fascia is finished with the signature black textured finished vinyl. The large white on black Smiths main gauges sit ahead of the three spoke alloy and leather Jaguar steering wheel. The centre console is populated with no less than ten, individually labelled rocker switches. Above these are four smaller, ancillary Smiths gauges and a larger centrally situated Kienzle clock.
 
The generously sized boot is finished with a light tan vinyl mat and side panels. Below this is housed the full sized, spare wheel and tyre. The comprehensively stocked, original tool bag is also housed here.
 

The Mechanics

• This E-Type is fitted with the iconic 5.3L V12 Jaguar engine
• The generous power and torque are fed to the rear wheels via the most desirable manual transmission
• The car is reported to run very well with no known mechanical issues reported

 
The, now, iconic 5.3L V12 engine was first introduced in the E Type in 1971. It was noted for being the first mass produced V12 engine to be used in the automotive industry. In this earlier form the engine breathed through quad, side draught Zenith Stromberg carburettors. In this form it produced around 250bhp and makes a glorious noise through its fantail exhaust finisher.
 
This example has been fastidiously cared for throughout its life. The full stamped service history extends up until 22,500 miles. Since then, the car appears to have wanted for nothing with major maintenance undertaken in 2013 and 2019 as well as routine work undertaken in between. No surprise, then, that the E Type started immediately, idled cleanly and ran sweetly during our photoshoot.
 
The big clamshell bonnet lifts to give excellent access to the big V12 engine. The condition under here is very good indeed. It looks admirably original and clean with the factory data plates present and correct. The underside of the car looks excellent too, with the sills and bottom seam clearly benefitting from the 2021 refresh.

Summary