1966 Jaguar E Type Series 1 4.2

We are delighted to be offering for sale a beautifully restored Series 1 E Type Fixed Head Coupe. After rolling down the production line in May 1966, it was dispatched to New York and into the hands of its first owner, Mrs Nelda Stein of California. What a dash she must have cut that summer, cruising the highways and byways of the expansive State.

The car continued to live in the US until 2009 when it was purchased and repatriated by our seller, Simon. The car was partially dismantled and ready for restoration. He is not only a serial E Type owner, but also was the proprietor of the renowned Aldridge Trimming Ltd.

Simon had intended to restore the car and then use it as a daily driver, but as is so often the way, he got a little carried away, restoring the car to an exemplary standard over a three-year period. Since the work was completed, the Jag has been little used and carefully stored.

With the intention of finding a new owner for the car this year, an MoT was carried out earlier and the car dispatched to a specialist garage for a good check over.

Simon reports that the car drives beautifully and is as good as any that he has piloted. And he should know as he has owned quite a few and driven so very many.

When carrying out a restoration on a classic car such as a Jaguar E Type, who you consign the car to for the bodywork is immensely important. There are many companies who will get the car looking very smart, but has the work been properly done under the skin?

Our seller had no such dilemma as his brother owns a body shop. You may well have heard of Jon Aldridge Automotive in Wolverhampton. As well as accident damage repairs, they have a long history of restoring a wide variety of classic cars.

Jon’s team tackled the E Type and though the car was mostly sound, having spent its days in dry US states, the sills and floor pan were replaced as there were some signs of corrosion creeping in.

The piece de la resistance was a quality respray in Opalescent Maroon. Since the work was completed, the Jag has been safely stored away and has been hardly used. The finish is therefore still quite excellent and though we always hunt for any flaws, we have been unable to spot any.

Chrome wire wheels have been fitted. Would any E Type look right without them? Each was fitted with a new tyre, all with plenty of tread. We would expect nothing less.

We are told that the car’s extensive chrome was either completely replaced or redone. We can’t tell which is which, safe to say it’s all very, very shiny!

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.

If you thought the Jag’s exterior impresses, swing open a door and gaze in awe at the interior. Aldridge Trimming has worked on hundreds of E Types in its long history, and they have used their knowledge, experience and know-how to most excellent effect on their boss’s car. Acres of ‘Old Beige’ leather clads the seats and door cards and the quality of the workmanship will most definitely impress.

Matching carpets are fitted throughout and like the rest of the interior, they are like new, though probably of much better quality than the originals.

The boot has been retrimmed too and is ready to receive a modicum of luggage. The E Type coupe is surprisingly practical, so no need to travel light on those weekends away.

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.

Whilst undergoing restoration, the E Type was fitted with new sections of floor and replacement sills. 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 a plethora of new parts are there to behold. New stainless steel exhaust, suspension components, brakes….. the list goes on.

The engine compartment is a delight and again the long list of new and reconditioned parts are easy to see. The car still sports is original 4.2-litre engine.

The car drives beautifully, just as one would expect when restored by specialists to the highest of standards.

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 on returning to these shores it has been lavished with care, attention and a good deal of cash. Experienced businesses have worked on the car, and we are told all the replacement parts used during the restoration came from SNG Barratt In Bridgnorth.

Mechanical work was carried out by a good friend of our seller, another E Type expert. The back axle was refurbished, radiator recoiled, and the braking system renewed. You get the idea.

Sadly, the extensive paperwork file that should accompany this car was mislaid by our seller some years ago. However, we think the quality of the work carried out is easy to see.

Last month the car was consigned to Smallman Hall Classic Cars, also in Bridgnorth, their brief being to give the E Type a thorough going over. This they did with great care. Amongst the work carried out was to set up the suspension and steering geometry correctly. A bill for around £4,000 was paid for all the work.

The car was first MoTed in April 2017, the recorded mileage then being 88,269. Fast forward to June of this year and the odometer now showed 88,302 when tested. No advisories were recorded on either test.

A new car, or as good as, and one which is for sale here ready to enjoy. Can you think of anything better than a drive in the countryside 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 £75,000 and £85,000. Get bidding right away!

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, 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’.