1968 Jaguar E-Type SI 4.2 Roadster

Following Series 1 E-Types, there was a transitional series of cars built in 1967-68, unofficially known as Series 1.5. American pressure saw open headlights fitted as well as black rocker switches on the dashboard, replacing the Series 1 toggles. Other additions included twin cooling fans and adjustable seat backs.

North American cars saw the number of carburettors reduced from 3 to 2, with a subsequent loss of horsepower.

The car we are pleased to be selling here is one such car, dispatched to Jaguar Cars in New York in June of 1968. Left hand drive of course and painted in the unusual shade of pale primrose yellow. We are told the car remained on Long Island until being taken off the road in 1977 by its then owner. He then proceeded to begin a restoration, which was sadly never finished.

After he passed away, his estate sold the car and it returned to the UK in 2019 and fell into the hands of our seller, an engineer by profession and a serial car restorer.

His pleasure comes from the restoration of a classic car rather than the ownership and driving experience – each to their own we say!

Having restored two Jaguar E-Types before, he set about bringing this car back to life and spent the next two years plus completing the work in his spare time.

He made the decision to convert the car to right-hand drive whilst it was completely apart and after much head scratching, also decided to change the colour to the rather splendid silver blue that now adorns the car. It looks much smarter.

Cast your mind back to when Prince Harry married Meghan Markle, they left their reception in an E-Type Series 1.5 convertible in the same hue, though one which had been converted to battery power. Good enough for the ex-Royals. But we digress..

Since completing the restoration, our seller has done little more than a few hundred miles as a shakedown test, so a little ‘running in’ may still be required. What a pleasurable task.

Our photo gallery contains a number of pictures showing the car undergoing its comprehensive restoration. Our talented seller, a man of sound engineering practice, did all the bodywork repairs himself. However, he charged a local bodyshop with the onerous task of carrying out the respray, where a professional paint booth ensures the perfect finish.

As a result, the silver blue paintwork is absolutely stunning, the finish quite excellent. The panel gaps are millimetre precise and likely better than when the car rolled down the production line in the late ‘60s.

Chrome wire wheels have been fitted. Would any E-Type look right without them? Each has been fitted with a Vredestein 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 is still original. 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.

We are told a new hood has been fitted but would remark that it looks a little discoloured in places and slightly frayed along the leading edge.

Newly trimmed black leather seats are most noticeable when you climb into the E-Type. They are supportive and smell divine.

Door cards look to be original and do have some marks on them here and there. The dashboard too does look its age and it comes complete with the period correct gauges, which together present a raft of useful information to the driver. You will also note the later type of rocker switches.

Tunes are provided by a lovely old Motorola radio which has been modified to include an "aux" input. The aux wiring has been brought up to the armrest box where there is a lead with lightening connector allowing connection to iPhone etc, but in reality, the sound of the E-Type’s purring six-cylinder engine is really all you need.

A wooden steering wheel is a nice addition and is most tactile.

We always include plenty of photographs of a car’s undersides and that is the case here. The car has done next to no miles since the restoration was finished, so the condition is really quite excellent. You can see all the shiny new parts fitted to the suspension and a lovely new stainless-steel exhaust.

Underseal and protection appear to have been applied sympathetically and we are rather impressed with the overall finish.

Lift the forward hinged bonnet and the powerful six-cylinder engine is revealed in all its glory. Our seller chose to reinstate the UK-spec three carburettor set up.

The engine itself had been partly restored by its former American owner, but our seller chose not to take any chances and had a local engine specialist check that what work had been done had been carried out to an exacting standard.

He then continued the good work, so rebored block, new pistons, crankshaft polished, new valves and seals, etc…

It starts easily and appears to run without issue.

The biggest change to the car was of course the conversion to right-hand drive and the change of colour. Both relatively easy to do when you have completely dismantled a car for restoration.

We would suggest setting aside some time to carefully read through the extensive parts invoices, copies of which are in our picture gallery. They help to give a good picture as to what has been done to the car to return it to its former glory. You won’t find any labour bills, as of course our seller did the vast majority of the work himself. We admire that kind of talent and dedication.

The last job, completed not long before the car was consigned to us, was to fit a refurbished Lucas starter motor.

Our seller is listed on the registration document as the Jaguar’s first UK keeper.

A new car, or almost as good as, and one which is for sale here ready to enjoy the lovely spring weather which we hope cannot now be too far away. Can you think of anything better than a drive in the countryside in a quintessentially British sports car, roof down, wind in your hair? 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 £90,000 and £110,000. Get bidding right away!

Viewing is always encouraged, within government guidelines of course. The car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’