Highlights

Dry-stored in barn, untouched for the last 20 years until recently changing hands
Previous owner has had the vehicle since 1977
One of 776 original RHD SII OTS E-Types
Numbers-matching example according to Heritage Certificate
Rarely seen hard-top comes with the car

The Appeal

Updated in 1968, the Series II was the natural evolution to the extremely well-established E-Type vehicles originally introduced in 1961. While most changes seen in the Series II were introduced in part to conform to increasingly more stringent North American safety mandates, the E-Type’s original character and legendary status remained firmly intact.

According to the current owner, this particular SII OTS has been left untouched in a barn for the last 20 years by the previous owner, who had owned it since 1977. With only 776 original right-hand-drive Series II Open Two-Seaters ever being produced, this is an excellent opportunity to start your next restoration project with a solid base in this rare configuration Jag.

The History and Paperwork

Numbers-matching vehicle with heritage certificate present
Previous owner had the vehicle since 1977
Previous owner began part-restoration before long-term storage
Has reportedly remained untouched for past 20 years
MOT exempt vehicle
Sadly, very little paperwork survived other than heritage certificate
Vehicle’s milage cannot be verified

Due to the nature of this vehicle, there is hardly any surviving paperwork which comes along with the sale. What does come along is a heritage certificate from 1990, stating its various ID numbers from the factory, which confirms this is a numbers-matching example and additionally confirming it has remained in its original Signal Red colourway. Based on the car number 1R 1244, we can also ascertain that it’s one of 776 original RHD SII convertibles, as those car numbers were from 1R 1001 to 1R 1776.

The current owner bought the vehicle with intent to complete a full restoration, but other projects have taken precedence, as they do. With most of the vehicle intact from the previous owner’s part-restoration before its “hibernation,” the current owner states the vehicle is in a near-complete condition, just begging to be restored to perfection. With the sale comes a collection of spare parts as pictured. The car also comes with the hardtop and soft-top, as well as the soft-top frame.

The Interior

Interior left untouched for the past 20 years
Overall a great base for complete restoration
Black leather interior perfectly suits the exterior colour

As a project in need of restoration, the current interior’s condition is a result of it having remained untouched from a previous owner’s restoration process, reportedly having taken place 20 years ago. As such, most of the interior will need to be reworked, refurbished, or deep cleaned. While there are small bits and pieces missing from the interior, the majority of the car is still present.

The black leather seats are in better condition than one would expect due to the nature of the car, and would benefit from a deep clean before determining if it’s necessary to reupholster. From what we can see, there are some signs of wear below the layer of dust, but overall they’re in one piece and might be able to be used. The floorboard carpets are not present, but the transmission housing / centre console carpet is intact.

The dashboard is present in expected condition for the age, and would also benefit from a deep clean before deciding if refurbishment is appropriate. There are some missing rocker buttons and a missing gauge, and the functionality of the instrumentation is unconfirmed.

The Moto-Lita steering wheel is present and in usable condition with some pitting present in the metalwork. The wooden portion of the wheel is showing its age and splintering a bit, and would benefit from a refurbishment.

The boot of the vehicle is in a similar condition, while there is some discolouration around the fuel tank, ultimately there less corrosion than expected. The boot lid as well as boot interior metalwork looks to be in true and straight condition. The full-size spare wheel and tire are present and in similar condition to the other wheels.

The Exterior

Colour in original highly desirable Signal Red
Paint in rough condition, but bodywork is straight
Surprisingly little corrosion present for the age
Underside in incredible shape for the vehicle’s history

The exterior of this E-type is visually in a state which shows its age and history; however, the underlying metalwork is reported to be sound and a great base. While the paintwork is clearly bubbling and peeling, it does show the Signal Red colourway, as stated on the heritage certificate.

The trims, rubbers, and seals are mostly present but would need attention as there are some which show cracking and weathering. The rubbers and seals for the hard and soft-top are largely missing on the car, as well as the gaskets which fit on the body to receive the hardtop, but there are some body gaskets present in the spare parts that come along with the sale.

Brightwork is overall quite pitted and would require a refurbishment and rechroming if desired, but the base parts look to be straight and undamaged otherwise. Front and rear bumpers are heavily pitted and corroded, but the current owner states these parts can be found on the second-hand market quite easily.

The glass of the vehicle is in a very dirty state from having sat in the barn, but overall in good condition with no cracks present as we could see. The headlight lenses are bright and clear, without any signs of fading or hazing, but the chromed surrounds are showing some corrosion. Taillights are in overall usable good condition, with some cracking around the attachment point for the screw on the passenger side of the car.

All five of the spoked wheels are present including the spare, but there is some corrosion present around the barrels and within the spokes, see photos. These would hugely benefit from refurbishment as well. Some pitting and marks are visible on the wheel centre knock-offs.

The underside of the vehicle is in excellent shape, with little corrosion seen, and much better than would be expected for the age and history. The underside of the bonnet is in very good shape as well, with hardly and sign of its age.

The Mechanics

4.2l Straight Six with triple SU carbs turns over but has not attempted starting
Standard 4-speed transmission shifts into gear
Suspension elements present, with some signs of the previous restoration

Since its clearly a project, the mechanical condition and functionality is unknown. What we can tell you is that most of the engine and drivetrain parts are accounted for and present on the vehicle from what we can see. There are no real obvious issues when it comes to the completeness of this car.

Since the engine hasn’t been started in its current ownership, we can’t comment on how the vehicle runs, but it will likely need a bit of work to get going. That being said, the engine looks to be mostly complete and in relatively good condition for restoration. We did note a missing throttle lever going to the carbs as pictured, but this among many other things could be present in the spare parts supplied with sale as there are plenty of parts to go through.

The suspension moves freely and has been gone through in the past by the previous owner in their restoration before being garaged. Notably, there are Koni shocks fitted as well as more recent looking CV joint boots having been installed, as they look to be in a good usable condition without any rips or leaks. The suspension arms themselves look to be in usable condition for refurbishment, but still suffering from peeling and bubbling paint and some corrosion.

Summary

While it’s no show queen as of yet, this barn-find Jag, as it currently sits, is a prime candidate for your next restoration project. Without many missing elements to track down, this E-type is mostly complete and acts as a solid base to start with. On top of that, the rarity of this specification alone makes it significantly desirable, especially in the UK as an original RHD vehicle.

Selling at auction, this is an excellent opportunity to pick up an ultra-rare British icon, just waiting for its glorious return to the world after sitting in a barn for the last two decades.

Notice to bidders

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