Recently completed after bare metal, 10 year structural restoration process
Significant mechanical expenditure too including suspension overhaul
Attractive Old English White over burgundy leather colour scheme
Very usable E Type with all the key work already done
The Appeal
The Series 2 E Type lightly updated the aesthetics of the original but it was inside where the real changes occurred, the evolved model gaining more luxurious, comfortable seats and an updated dashboard.
This smart 1969 E Type started life as a LHD Californian car before being re-imported and then comprehensively restored over 10 years by the seller. The work has covered all the areas buyers look for with these lovely cars, including bodywork renovation, suspension overhaul and interior retrim.
It is a very presentable, highly usable E Type that shows just why these cars are regularly rated amongst the most beautiful and desirable in the classic car world.
The History and Paperwork
Despatched by Jaguar on 18th December 1968
Northern Ireland registration document shows registration on 20th July 1990
Heritage Certificate states:
Originally light blue with dark blue interior
Sold new to a dealer in Ipswich on a G plate
We understand that the car was exported to California then reimported to the UK and converted to RHD
Spent time in long term storage after being reimported
Bought by the seller in June 2012 in Northern Ireland
Comprehensively restored by seller from 2012 to 2022 with few miles since
Chassis records show that this is car number 431 of 3,385 LHD FHC Series 2 E Types
Original engine misplaced following return to UK so is fitted with a Jaguar XJ 4.2litre XK engine, a common and virtually indistinguishable modification
This 1969 E Type has had an interesting history. Originally sold new as LHD car to a dealer in Ipswich it was then exported to California. It appears to have returned to the UK in July 1990 when it was converted to RHD and entered into long term storage. During this sojourn the engine was sent away to be rebuilt but mysteriously disappeared. The car is now fitted with a Jaguar XJ XK 4.2 litre engine so is not matching numbers. XJ engines vary slightly from those fitted to E Types.
The seller acquired the car in June 2012 and set about a 10 year comprehensive restoration covering bodywork, suspension and mechanicals. The interior was also partially retrimmed. Originally light blue with a dark blue interior, The car was repainted Old English White with a complementary burgundy interior.
The Interior
The interior is a neat blend of original and refurbished fittings
Leather seats, carpets and centre console trim appear to have been retrimmed to a good standard with little use since
Original dashboard with factory-fitted dials and switches in aged but presentable condition
Dashboard correctly converted to RHD configuration including moving the choke and heater controls to the correct positions
Capillary oil pressure gauge fitted
Lovely 3-spoke wood rimmed E Type steering wheel
Original radio with some missing switch elements
Rear load area in good condition
Beyond the E Type’s flowing body lines is an interior that is surely amongst the best installed in any 60s sports car. Simple yet distinctly Jaguar, it is cosy and cocooning and the view down the bonnet is surely worth the effort of getting past the narrow doors.
The interior of this car is a nice blend of original and restored, the dashboard and its array of dials and switches showing signs of use but the carpets, centre console and seats clearly restored. The work has been done to a good standard although the seller states that it may not be quite factory correct in places. There is also a lovely three spoke E Type steering wheel.
The dashboard has been correctly converted from LHD to RHD, including moving the choke and heater controls. However, the high beam toggle switch is not factory correct. There is what appears to be an original radio fitted, albeit with some deterioration to the switches. The rear load area is in good condition.
The seller states that a capillary oil pressure gauge is fitted and that the fuel gauge is erratic and the horn does not work.
The Exterior
Nicely presented in Old English White and fresh from a 10yr restoration process
Restoration included new sills, wheel arches and footwells
Paintwork in very good condition albeit with a coupe of minor barely noticeable marks
New chrome wire wheels and tyres with only 10 miles use
Wheels and tyres are slightly wider than factory standard but enhance the stance of the car
Bumpers rechromed and original chrome elsewhere
Small dent in the offside front bumper over-rider
US specification side marker lights
Door and window seals replaced
Inner sills waxoiled, primed and stone guarded
The colour scheme of this E Type is particularly attractive and is the result of a 10yr meticulous restoration by the seller, completed in 2022. The car has covered few miles since.
The original factory colour of light blue has been changed to Old English White and follows a bare metal respray and structural refurbishment. The seller states that this involved new sills, wheel arches and both footwells being cut back and replaced. The sills were then stone guarded and wax oiled.
The paintwork is in very good condition, only two small marks to note including a dimple on the offside rear arch where some solvent spilled and the usual damage to the offside scuttle where the driver’s door occasionally fouls it. We also understand that one of the doors has light damage incurred when fitting the new door and windows seal, but we could not see this in the photographs. The panel fit, in particular the doors, looks very good and even.
The chromework is mostly original, with some light signs of pitting and deterioration in small areas, but the front and rear bumpers have been rechromed.
There are some marks on the rear lights but otherwise the lights and glasswork are in good condition, the car being fitted with US specification tinted windows.
The chrome wire wheels, slightly wider than factory standard but nicely filling the arches, are new as are the tyres.
The Mechanics
Extensive renovation and improvement of the running gear during the restoration with very few miles covered since
Suspension renewed including bushes, bearings, discs and callipers
Brake lines renewed
New wiper motor, starter motor, alternator and electric fan
Large core radiator
Electronic ignition
4spd manual gearbox with new clutch recently fitted
Running on twin SU Stromberg carburettors rather than the factory standard tripe SU set up
Seller states that the carburettors would benefit from being professionally tuned
This is not a matching numbers car as the original engine was mislaid during earlier storage
Fitted with a XK engine from a Jaguar XJ, which is very similar but not identical to an E Type XK engine
The joy of the E Type is that it doesn’t just look good, it goes well too. The Le Mans-derived XK engine delivers power from very low revs, enabling rapid acceleration from just 20mph. Later cars like this one got Jaguar’s fully synchromesh four speed gearbox that offers a slick, quick change.
This car’s original engine was misplaced during its storage and renovation following its re-importation to the UK so it runs a XK engine from a Jaguar XJ. These engines are virtually identical to those used in the E Type and it is common for the sports car to feature them. Although not a matching numbers car, it is a change that would be indistinguishable to any but the most devoted of E Type enthusiasts.
Factory E Types were supplied with triple SU carburettors. This car has been converted to run on two SU Strombergs. The seller states that due to the recent restoration and little use since it would benefit from a professional tune up.
We understand that the suspension has been comprehensively and recently overhauled including bushes and bearings and the brakes have received new discs, callipers and lines.
The mechanical work also included fitting a new wiper motor, starter motor, alternator and electric fan plus a large core radiator. The car has also been converted to a more reliable electronic ignition set up. There is also a new clutch.
Summary
The Series 2 E Type is the rarest of the various variants but the one that nicely blends the original style of the first cars with the comfort and luxury of the later ones.
This smart FHC is fresh from a comprehensive structural, cosmetic and mechanical restoration. It offers the buyer a very usable E Type experience where someone else has invested in the looks, reliability and the way it drives.
Notice to bidders
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.*
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