HIGHLIGHTS
- Massive history file
- Long-term ownership for the last 25 years
- Very low recent mileage
- Great overall condition
- Personal registration number included
THE APPEAL
Following in the tyre tracks of the Jaguar C and D types, the E-type is essentially an adapted race car that brought world-class performance to the roads for an amazingly reasonable price.
Considered Britain’s finest sports car, it is undeniably one of the most staggeringly beautiful cars, and with a 0-60 time of around 7 seconds, it was (and still is) fast, even by today’s standards.
A credit to the owner, after 25 years of consistent high quality care, this desirable Series 1 example should be a reliable delight to drive and will happily cruise all day with the occasional blast down the open straight thrown in for good measure.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Two accompanying box files reveal a wealth of provenance and history on this beautiful Jaguar sports car and supports the extent to which it has been cherished.
It was the 39th RHD Roadster off the production line in 1964 and was dispatched by Jaguar Cars on the 16th December to distributors, Henlys Ltd, London, and delivered to Dealers Boon & Porter in Barnes, London. It was registered and sold to the first lucky owner on the 20th January 1965.
A photocopy of the original log book reveals that past owners lived in the Ipswich, Guildford and Woking areas, and from 1975 and the previous lady owner put the car into storage from 1994 to 1997 until passing it on to well-known E-type specialists, Eagle Racing Ltd (Eagle).
The current owner purchased it from Eagle in May 1997 with around 19,000 miles on the clock and has clearly enjoyed every moment driving it, but the time has come to make room for another sports car in the garage.
Fastidious maintenance has enabled the owner to go on reliable trips to Silverstone, Spa, five runs down to the Le Mans Classic and touring trips to the Lake District and France, etc. This glorious Jaguar also joined other E-types at Beachy Head, Sussex, for Jeremy Clarkson’s 50th Anniversary ‘salute’ feature on Top Gear.
Paperwork includes:
- Up to date V5
- Original owners handbook
- Heritage Trust Production Record Trace Certificate (supplied in 2002)
- Jaguar vehicle information sheet (supplied in 1987)
- ‘Pass’ MOT certificate to the 15th October 2022
- Lots of Previous MOT’s
- Numerous maintenance invoices from Eagle
- Older parts catalogues
- Tracker paperwork
- 2 sets of keys
THE INTERIOR
- Retrimmed in 1997
- Wood-rimmed steering wheel
- All electrical equipment functions
Having been retrimmed in 1997, this complimentary Suede Green interior is still in good condition.
The fantastic 3-spoke, wood-rimmed, steering wheel sports the encapsulated Jaguar emblem and the entire dash fashia, Smiths instrumentation, toggle switches and so on, look great.
Apart from one small split on the dash top, some minor damage to the drivers door trim and some obvious shoe scuffs on the flooring, this interior is highly presentable, including the sill covers, seats, carpeting and rear luggage space.
A handy working Brantz Trip Meter resides in the glove compartment for those touring rally days and all the standard electrical equipment is said to function as it should.
At the rear, the boot is exceptionally clean and carpeted in the original Fawn colour (as per the original hood colour). A usable spare wire wheel, jack and two tool rolls are present. A relatively new fuel tank sits over a solid looking boot floor.
THE EXTERIOR
- Glossy Opalescent Dark Green coachwork
- Fantastic chrome wire wheels
- Excellent chrome
From the nose to the tail, this Jaguar’s bodywork appears very straight, and according to the owner, was pretty much in this condition when purchased twenty five years ago.
The gorgeous flowing lines are set of a treat by the Jaguar Opalescent Dark Green coachwork. There are a few stone chips to the lower front of the clamshell and there are some minor, but notable, ‘creases’ to the offside front wing, rear wing top, and the nearside A-pillar panel and passenger door (see photos).
The owner is unaware of any historic accident damage, and upon first inspection, the front subframe, sills, underside structure, floor pan and suspension all looks in fine fettle.
The window glass, lights, chrome and trim are all great. The original Fawn hood was replaced some time ago by a black one, and externally, is presentable and water tight, but internally, has seen better days.
The fantastic chrome wire wheels are shod with a set of Pirelli P4000 tyres with a good level of tread remaining.
THE MECHANICS
- Glorious 4.2-litre XK twin-cam
- Fastidiously maintained by Eagle
- Numerous upgrades
With a push of the starter button, this glorious 4.2-litre Jaguar XK straight-six, twin-cam engine fires up easily and idles sweetly. The owner assures us that it has “never let me down and has always started”.
There is a little exhaust smoke upon start up, but the owner informs us that it has been like this for years with no immediate concerns from his experts at Eagle. The oil pressure is said to be good and there are no obvious timing gear rattles, significant oil leaks or overheating issues.
The owner cannot confirm if this is the original engine or correct mileage, but it has only been driven around 1,000 miles annually in recent years.
As mentioned, all mechanical work has been attended to by Eagle for the last 25 years, whatever the cost, and it reportedly drives really well and is mechanically up together in all respects. The last major ‘6 year service’ was carried out in March 2018, just 3,068 miles ago, at a cost of nearly £6,000 (see photo).
Maintenance and upgrades over the years have included:
- Immobiliser fitted in 2003 and a tracker in May 2022
- Replaced camshaft and bearings
- Rebuilt prop shaft
- Exchange gearbox and new clutch fitted in April 2008
- Eagle electronic ignition
- Brass header tank
- Kenlowe Fan
- Electric fuel pump
- Front vented discs and four-pot callipers
- New heater blower and fan
- Stainless steel exhaust
SUMMARY
Although not quite concours, this fabulous ’60’s icon is, nonetheless, a stunning and mechanically sorted Series 1. It is, in the owners words, a drivers car that has “always been admired”.
So go on, pop on your tweed cap and head scarf and enjoy the thrill of owning a Jaguar E-type roadster that is ready and waiting to head off down the highway.
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