1970 Jaguar E Type S2 Roadster

10 Bids
9:46 PM, 22 Apr 2021Vehicle sold
Sold for

£70,000

Background

So much has been written about the Jaguar E-Type that it is hard to know where to start. Is it the most beautiful car ever to roll down a production line? Quite possibly, though of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

It is alleged that Enzo Ferrari, a man not famed for praising cars that did not originate in Maranello, said the E-Type was just that. Good enough for us.

The E-Type debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 1961 and caused quite a storm. Understandable, even though the car followed on from the lovely XK120 and 140 models.

Autocar got their hands on a 4.2 fixed head coupe in May 1965 and their test figures make for interesting reading. Acceleration from 0-60mph was just 7.6 seconds and maximum speed just topped the magic 150mph mark.

They summarised the car:

“In its 4.2 guise, the E-Type is a fast car (the fastest we have ever tested) and offers just about the easiest way to travel quickly by road.”

The car was revolutionary in many ways, but it was undoubtedly the stylish and iconic bodywork that set it apart from the rest of the cars in production.

Launched at an attractive price of around £2,250, comparatively good value for the time, the E-Type was surprisingly affordable, more so than many of its immediate rivals.

Independent rear suspension and all-round disc brakes bought an air of modernity to the sports car market too.

Celebrity owners flocked to the E-Type. If we may quote once again…. Frank Sinatra said of the car at its world reveal:

“I want that car, and I want it now.”

We know how he feels and if you feel the same, maybe now is the time to indulge with the fabulous example we have on offer here.


  • 1R13844
  • 000048
  • 4.2
  • Manual
  • Blue
  • Black

Background

So much has been written about the Jaguar E-Type that it is hard to know where to start. Is it the most beautiful car ever to roll down a production line? Quite possibly, though of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

It is alleged that Enzo Ferrari, a man not famed for praising cars that did not originate in Maranello, said the E-Type was just that. Good enough for us.

The E-Type debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 1961 and caused quite a storm. Understandable, even though the car followed on from the lovely XK120 and 140 models.

Autocar got their hands on a 4.2 fixed head coupe in May 1965 and their test figures make for interesting reading. Acceleration from 0-60mph was just 7.6 seconds and maximum speed just topped the magic 150mph mark.

They summarised the car:

“In its 4.2 guise, the E-Type is a fast car (the fastest we have ever tested) and offers just about the easiest way to travel quickly by road.”

The car was revolutionary in many ways, but it was undoubtedly the stylish and iconic bodywork that set it apart from the rest of the cars in production.

Launched at an attractive price of around £2,250, comparatively good value for the time, the E-Type was surprisingly affordable, more so than many of its immediate rivals.

Independent rear suspension and all-round disc brakes bought an air of modernity to the sports car market too.

Celebrity owners flocked to the E-Type. If we may quote once again…. Frank Sinatra said of the car at its world reveal:

“I want that car, and I want it now.”

We know how he feels and if you feel the same, maybe now is the time to indulge with the fabulous example we have on offer here.


Video

Overview

Our car is a Series 2 Roadster which rolled down the production line at Browns Lane in May 1970. Left-hand drive, it was dispatched to its lucky new owner in Austin, Texas.

Repatriated in recent years, we are lucky enough to be offering the car for sale on behalf of established business and Jaguar specialists Dunchurch Classic Cars.

Located in Jaguar’s backyard, they specialise in restoring and maintaining classic Jags to the very highest of standards.

It is now almost impossible to find an E-Type to restore in the UK that is not completely riddled with rust, so Dunchurch now look overseas to dry American states to find sound cars to restore.

The intention was always to restore the car to factory specification and as we will go on to document they have most certainly succeeded. Oh, and by the way, this is a matching numbers car, as confirmed by the Heritage Certificate.

It is also worth mentioning at this point that Jaguar are commemorating the 60th anniversary of the E-Type with a series of cars restored by their own Classic Works division. A heady £350,000 + will be required if you should feel like indulging. A much better option is to read on and then put in a bid for our car, built with the same love, care and attention to detail.

Innumerable man hours have gone into our E-Type’s restoration along with some £25,000 worth of new parts. As good as new? Better probably, but we will let you decide.

Exterior

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well we have a huge collection of bespoke pictures and a video for your delectation.

In them you can see the stunning period correct blue paint finish, a testament to the sprayer’s art. Indeed, with modern techniques now available, the gleaming paintwork will be better than new.

Flawless chrome that positively glistens in the sun, a new top-quality mohair hood and of course stunning wire wheels are just some of the highlights. Oh, and new Michelin tyres adorn those pretty wheels.

The boot mounted chrome luggage rack is a lovely period touch, to which we would be tempted to add some bespoke luggage for the complete effect.

The care and attention to detail is simply breath-taking and this is a car that needs to be seen in the metal to truly appreciate and with lockdown easing, you can now do just that.

Interior

The same level of care and attention has been given to the interior. The black leather seats are supple, supportive and smell divine. It adds to the sensual experience that driving an E-Type is all about.

Period correct gauges present a raft of useful information to the driver and what could be nicer than a spindly wood steering wheel. There is a delicacy to the controls that is now missing from modern cars.

It is not only the seats that have had a retrim, door cards, dash and centre console have all been lavished with attention.

Carpets have been renewed and lift them up to see some bespoke sound deadening material below.

The boot is trimmed in cream and is ready to receive a modicum of luggage. Beneath the floor is the spare wheel well, complete with a proper wire wheel spare.

Mechanical

Whilst undergoing restoration, the E-Type was fitted with a completely new floor. Look at the pictures and you can see the standard of workmanship.

Also worth looking at are the pictures of the car’s underside where the plethora of new parts are there to behold. New stainless steel exhaust, suspension components, brakes….. the list goes on.

The original engine did not escape the restoration. The block was rebored, the head rebuilt, and a new timing chain, camshaft, bearings and studs were fitted.

The engine compartment is a delight and again the long list of new and reconditioned parts are easy to see.

We expect the car to drive like new, being fresh from its comprehensive restoration.

History

Sadly, we cannot tell you about all the amazing adventures this E-Type had whilst on the other side of the Atlantic. What we can tell you is that the dry climate helped preserve the car in such a way that it was clearly worth restoring.

The sellers have been painstaking in their efforts to keep the car to factory specification and we cannot spot any inconsistencies.

The car has been completely taken apart, repaired, parts replaced or refurbished where appropriate. Pause a while and read through the extensive parts list, shown in the photographs.

A labour of love by a team of dedicated specialists, £25,000 of new parts and the end result will take your breath away.

An MOT was carried out last July, no advisories obviously and the car has covered next to no miles since.

Summary

A new car, or as good as, and one which is for sale here just in time to enjoy during an English summer. Is there any better way to enjoy a drive in the country than in a quintessentially British sports car? We don’t think so.

Celebrate 60 years of the glorious E-Type by buying one of your very own. What a fitting tribute that would be.

We estimate the car will sell for between £76,000 and £90,000. Get bidding right away!

Viewing is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), and this particular car is located with us in Abingdon. To arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

About this auction

Seller

Private: reggie77


Viewings Welcome

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and is strictly by appointment. To book one in the diary, please get in contact.

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