Finished in its original colour scheme of Cream/Old English White over a Black interior
Desirable upgrades for modern driving
Less than 1000 miles covered since 2006
Over £30,000 spent on refurbishment in 2022
The Appeal
Launched on 15th March, 1961, the E-type was the replacement for Jaguar’s aging XK platform and it went above and beyond what anyone expected. When seen for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show, necks swivelled and jaws dropped. After Geneva, the press had a field day. All the motoring journals and newspapers fell over themselves to give the E-type the highest possible praise. The road tests in The Autocar and The Motor confirmed Jaguar’s claims that it would hit 150mph, an astonishing figure for 1961.
The greatest contributing factors towards this achievement were the 3.8-litre dohc straight-six XK engine and the gorgeous streamlined bullet profile, the work of Malcolm Sayer. It also boasted a radical method of construction, with the engine and suspension supported by a front subframe which effectively made the car chassisless, and provided the perfect combination of lightness and rigidity.
While the E-type was destined for greatness in competition, for many people, it’s better remembered as a cultural symbol of the Swinging Sixties. Anyone who was anyone in celebrity culture bought one. George Harrison and George Best posed with their 2+2s. A white roadster had a starring rôle in the 1965 Dave Clark Five film Catch Us If You Can, and another two had major supporting rôles in The Italian Job.
From 1964, the E-type benefitted from its engine being bored out to 4.2 litres, a change which was carried through to the Series II when it appeared in 1968. Created to satisfy American safety mandates, the Series II featured minor external changes including a wraparound rear bumper, repositioned tail lights, larger front indicators, and the absence of glass headlight covers. Practical improvements included an enlarged grille and twin electric fans for better cooling.
Some would say the Series II offers the best combination of good looks and usability, but it gets better still… This one has been upgraded with power-steering and a five-speed gearbox, and benefits from a recent £30,000 overhaul. It’s in peak health and offers a more sophisticated specification than when new, so there probably isn’t a better E-type for regular use and modern driving conditions.tyaQrm9zPbr8qvX9BhdWGN8BoAM3LheFFiu20OSE.jpg718.58 KB
The History and Paperwork
Manufactured on 11th September 1969 and originally finished in Cream with black hood, black interior and manual gearbox
Despatched on 19th September to Fletchers of Swansea and originally sold to a Mr. James
Fully restored in the 1990s, with five-speed and power-steering upgrades and colour changed from Cream to Mars Red
Later repainted in Cream/Old English White (the two names having sometimes been used interchangeably by Jaguar)
Subjected to an extensive cosmetic and mechanical overhaul in 2022 costing over £30,000
Bought by the present owner from Total Headturners in September 2018
Paperwork includes the current V5, the original Operating, Maintenance and Service Handbook, a large number of recent invoices, numerous old MoT certificates, a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate and various photographs dating back to the 1990s restoration, including a photographic record of the work completed in 2022
Presented just as it left the factory, with all-black upholstery
Desirable aftermarket Moto-Lita steering wheel
Extremely well-preserved following 1990s restoration
The E-type’s interior is simple, spacious and stylish, which makes for an extremely pleasant environment in which to be taking a nice, long drive. Though this car is now 54 years old, you wouldn’t know it from its interior, which barely shows its age. That’s hardly surprising, though, considering that it has spent the last 30 years at least being cherished by enthusiasts, and has received sympathetic restoration and renovation when appropriate.
We understand that the interior was completely refurbished and reupholstered during the car’s 1990s restoration but, even so, the years have been extremely kind to it. You might ask, ‘How has it lasted so well?’ Quite simply, the E-type has only been used very, very sparingly. MoT records show that it covered under 500 miles between 2006 and 2018, and has covered only a further 420 miles since then. It looks, to all intents and purpose, like the only mileage it was doing between 2006 and 2018 was travelling to and from the MoT centre…
Consequently, we have not been able to find fault with anything in the interior. It is in superb condition all-round. The seats, doors, carpets, dash and centre console are all excellent, and the leather has just reached that point where it is beginning to mellow nicely and take on a bit of character. Apart from the desirable and period-correct Moto-Lita wood-rimmed steering wheel, everything appears to be exactly as it left factory, right down to the original radio.
The boot space is extremely clean and appears barely to have been used. The restoration may be 25-30 years old, but you’d think it was only finished yesterday.
Repainted just a few years ago in its original Cream
Further cosmetic refurbishment completed in 2022
When this E-type emerged from its 1990s restoration, it looked phenomenal. The paint was fresh, everything had been rechromed, and the whole thing was as pretty as a picture. There was just one thing – it had been painted Mars Red, which is fine, but more enthusiasts today find they prefer their cars to appear as they left the factory, and this E-type left Browns Lane painted Cream.
Accordingly, the previous owner had it repainted in Cream/Old English White (the two names being used interchangeably between 1969 and 1971), and it still looked fantastic – at least until you started to look closely. The present owner found that the finish was less than perfect, so in 2022 he went over the car from head to tail, having it professionally repainted again so that it now appears virtually showroom-fresh.
Take a look at the inside of the bonnet, or the underside of the car. Examine the suspension components and you’ll see what we mean. Everything has been finished to an extremely high standard, and the result really speaks for itself.
The chrome has evidently been replated at some point in the past, and with the car having always been well-stored since its restoration, most of it could pass for brand-new. There may be some light patination in one or two places but, generally speaking, it displays an immaculate mirror-finish. We can even say that of the wire wheels, which have been kept scrupulously clean.
A new hood has been fitted at some stage and, again, still appears nearly-new. It’s an excellent fit, too, being extremely easy to raise and lower. A tonneau cover for the interior is also included.cz1jciyc8JfWb7PWCDG874v7FcIDO8qMT56HCRPH.jpg1.27 MB
The Mechanics
Extensively overhauled in 2022
Upgraded with five-speed and power-steering
Last MoTed in 2017 with no advisories
There is nothing like taking to the road in an E-type in fine fettle and this, we believe, is in very fine fettle, indeed. As we’ve established, it benefitted from extensive restoration in the 1990s, but when the vendor bought it, he found it was not quite in the best state of tune. He therefore treated it to an extensive mechanical overhaul in 2022, all of which is detailed in an large collection of invoices, and we are told that it now drives beautifully.
While we haven’t been in a position to take it onto the road, we can well believe that it’s nothing other than an unmitigated delight. It fires up readily and settles into a very happy idle, and it’s apparent from the photographs of the engine and suspension just what good condition everything is in. The fact that it passed its last MoT test in 2017 with no advisories is also reassuring. Besides all that, the upgrades it received in the 1990s – power steering and a five-speed gearbox – make it a far nicer car to drive under modern conditions, along motorways and around town.
With such little use since its initial restoration – under 1000 miles have been covered since 2006 – we expect everything still to be in excellent condition. Now, following its recent refresh and tune-up, it’s all ready to be used and enjoyed.PBlujyr6tq0GZJWpYOL4xwKhY5HhOZbFbuCvBX8I.jpg858.2 KB
The Summary
You’ll always be able to find an E-type for sale somewhere, so why go for this one? Well, there’s a lot to be said for the Series II, as it combines the smooth, handsome profile of the Series I with the excellent 4.2-litre engine and several small engineering improvements, and you can’t beat a roadster for days when the sun comes out.
This one is even better, though, boasting a five-speed gearbox and power-steering, so it’s especially driver-friendly. It also happens to be in exceptionally nice condition following its extensive mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment. There may be other E-types out there, but there are few as nice as this.
Notice to buyers
This vehicle is subject to third party financing. The amount of finance due on the vehicle is less than the reserve. The seller will discharge the financing debt and all related costs absolutely within two full working days from the end of the auction on a successful sale and will confirm to the buyer that such release has occurred. This obligation will be implied into the contract of sale between the buyer and the seller on auction close.
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.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
