● Numbers matching “barn find” Series 1 E Type

● Plenty of restoration work completed over a 30 year period

● Not been on the road since at least 1981

● Useable and practical 2+2 FHC with Jaguar’s smooth 4.2 litre

Rarely do we have the chance to witness the first drive of a car that has been locked away for 30 years, albeit just for 100 yards! 

This extraordinary Jaguar was purchased by the Seller in 1993 after he had spotted it in a dilapidated state, stored at the back of a local garage where it had been since 1981.  He got the Jaguar back to his house deep in the Sussex countryside, placed it in his garage and then went abroad.  Working on it when on visits back to the UK he set about a slow restoration that is still underway! This has taken so long that it’s hard to tell what is untouched and what is replaced!  

With little paperwork it is hard to say how many owners it has had.  We know it had one between 1977 before it was parked in the local garage in 1981, but for the preceding 10 years we know little about it.  It may transpire that the Seller is the 2nd owner.  According to an old V5 document the same 4.2 litre engine was in the car in 1977, although at that stage the Jaguar may have been painted green.

Over the years the Seller has carried out a great deal of restoration work, including replacement floors, sills, front wings some glass and work on the braking system. The only time the Jaguar left its garage on a trailer was to be painted sometime in the early 00’s! 

The 4.2 litre engine runs, and sounds healthy through the stainless steel exhaust, but it has not been apart-well, not in the past 30 years at least!

The seller has decided that he has completed as much as he can, and is unlikely to progress any further with the Jaguar, so it’s time to let it go to a new home.  Although the E Type runs well and drives, and plenty of work has been completed over the years, it would be best described as a driving project; lots of patina, plenty of originality and scope for improvement if desired.

 

● Built in 1967 and first registered in February ‘67

● Original right hand drive, UK market car

● Purchased by the seller in 1993, but not registered in his name until 2023! 

● Bought from a local garage where it had been sitting in a workshop for about 12 years 

● Copy of last private owner’s V5 document dated 1977

● Thought to have been one previous owner from 1967 to 1977 before it was parked ina workshop.

● Stored and occasionally worked on at the Seller’s property from purchase in 1993 to 2023, never driven

● Replacement panels installed including front and rear floor pans, sills, outer bonnet/wings, lower rear panel beneath bumper.

● Repainted circa 2003

● Windscreen and rear glass replaced 

● Bonnet hinge mechanism replaced

● Replacement fuel tank

● Brakes rebuilt with new calipers, discs and pads in 2003

● Stainless steel  exhaust system

● No DVLA MoT history or certificates (has been off the road too long) 

● Newly issued V5c in Seller’s name

● Black leather interior in attractively aged condition

● Original black leather seats, well creased but mostly undamaged

● Carpets replaced and working Webasto sliding roof with wind deflector

The interior is in mainly original and aged condition and despite being a little saggy and baggy in places, it exudes originality.  The carpets have been replaced both front and rear but apart from that the interior appears to be untouched although it would benefit from a good clean.  

The front seats are heavily creased and aged, but generally intact and are fitted with new lap strap Jaguar seatbelts.  The seatbacks have recently been recovered with black material. The top half of the rear seat backrest is un-upholstered, and looks to have been replaced with some plywood.  The lower half is obviously original and is heavily aged, with some small holes , damage in places and some rather tatty repairs. The small squab over the centre tunnel is missing.

The roof lining looks to be original and is intact with no holes, but it is understandably a little tatty. We opened the Webasto sunroof and despite having been closed for 30 years it slides easily and operates correctly, and the green tinted Perspex wind deflector is still present. There are a couple of nicks in the corners of the sunroof fabric on the outside.

The steering wheel is a smaller period replacement with some splits in the leather rim.  It has been on the car since purchase in 1993.  The gauges appear to work correctly as far as we could tell.  The oil pressure sat at a steady 30psi at tick over. The correct toggle switch panel is intact, and below that there is a later CD/radio complete with remote that the Seller installed some years ago, although it has never been used.

In the rear the luggage space is clean and solid, with all trim panels in place on both sides.  Lifting out the panels reveals a clean and uncorroded boot floor, with spare spoked wheel in place.

Overall the interior is delightfully original, and much of it would benefit from cleaning and some TLC.  A few missing bits would need replacing to make it fully functional again, but we could live with the age related wear and tear as its part of the charm!

● Red paintwork with minor issues and marks but no obvious areas of corrosion

● Working Webasto sunroof

● All original chrome and trim with age

The Seller assures us that the only time the E Type has left is garage in 30 years was when it went on a trailer for paint circa 2003.  Upon its return he started the reassembly .. sporadically!  Now 20 years later the paintwork has understandably developed some issues, but it still has a good shine.  

There are small areas where it appears that moisture may have got under the paint but the panels are solid with no large bubbles or blisters. There is one scratch that has been touched in on the tailgate to the left of the glass. The purchaser may choose to repaint again, but despite the issues we think the finish is acceptable and presentable as it is.

All the trim and chrome, including the front and rear bumpers is original to the car.  It is all in aged condition, with pitting on most parts, heavy in places. The glass and light lenses are all intact and undamaged.  The front and rear glass was replaced some years ago.

The 15 inch spoked wheels are heavily aged, with some corrosion to the spokes and rims.  They were on the Jaguar at time of purchase and would benefit from a good clean to ascertain the true condition.  The Goodyear tyres have been on the car since purchase in 1993 and were probably on the car for a further 12 years prior!

In general the exterior is impressive and perfectly acceptable to someone who wanted a useable E Type, but would be a good and solid foundation for new paint and chrome.

● Jaguar 4.2 litre six cylinder with a manual 4 speed gearbox

● Solid and corrosion-free underside with floors replaced

● Presentable and tidy engine bay with nothing out of place

We were quite impressed that the Jaguar started and ran so well for the short drive to take the photographs.  It was only later we learned that it was the first time it had moved under its own power for 30 years!  The engine started well, and once warm ran smoothly with steady oil pressure.

The seller assures us that it has never been apart whilst he has owned it and it last had new plugs and oil fifteen years ago!

He has completed extensive panel replacement, with new floors front and rear, new outer sections of the bonnet, new sills and rear panel beneath bumper.  Also he replaced the complete bonnet hinge mechanism.  This was all necessary as, in his own words “ it was in a pretty dilapidated state when I got it!” He replaced the exhaust with a full stainless system, and replaced the fuel tank.

Although not quite finished in places much of the hard work has been completed, and a few hours work by a knowledgeable specialist would have the E Type ready for the road once again. 

It would be easy to refer to the E Type as a “barn find” but that would not be fair; it has never been “lost”, just a project that has taken some time!

As original as a 56 year old car could be, it carries its age well.  It would be a solid basis for a complete restoration, but we think perhaps keep its originality. Do a little tidying and finishing, and enjoy it as it is.  After all, it’s only original once!

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*