1969 Jaguar E Type SII 4.2 2+2

We are pleased to be offering for sale a prime example of the Series II, in 2+2 FHC form. The car was originally built in left-hand drive, fitted with an automatic gearbox and dispatched to the dry sunshine state of California. This clearly helped keep the bodywork in such good condition.

In 1991 the E-Type was repatriated and converted to right-hand drive, an easy enough task. Since then it has had four owners, with our seller acquiring the car in 2017. He has loved, cherished, and splashed the cash on the car and although this is a much-used phrase in the classic car world, this is a most reluctant sale. The spiralling cost of a house renovation is the reason.

Some improvements have been recently made, such as the fitment of power steering which makes the car much easier to drive on a daily basis. And in a similar vein, fuel injection has been fitted for smoother running.

Overseas trips to the likes of Le Mans have been enjoyed by our seller and he reports that the E-Type drives beautifully and has proved to be exceptionally reliable.

From the Jaguar Heritage Certificate we can see that the car was originally silver. We suspect at the time of the conversion to right-hand drive the decision was made to repaint the car in the most flattering shade of regency red. It shows off the graceful and elegant lines rather well we think.

The finish is still excellent, and any flaws are hard to find. We suggest studying our extensive array of fine pictures or better still come and inspect the car. You will not be disappointed.

Wire wheels are of course fitted, anything else would be a travesty. Each is fitted with an Avon Turbospeed tyre, all with plenty of tread. Matching, quality tyres are generally a clear sign of careful and considered classic car ownership.

Jaguar World drove this car for a feature and reported on the ‘dull black’ interior. Well, fear not, as our seller commissioned a full retrim in November 2020. Carried out by independent Jaguar specialists Tom Lenthall Ltd in Berkshire, the quality of the workmanship is quite outstanding. Swathes of biscuit coloured leather now cover the interior, which is now so light and airy.

Redoing the interior to this standard is a time consuming task, if done properly, the invoice for a smidgen over £12,000 representative of the time and effort that was put in. Better than new – quite probably.

Complementing the leather trim and adding to the car’s period charm is a wood rimmed steering wheel, which can of course now be twirled with ease thanks to the power steering.

A Blaupunkt stereo with DAB splitter was fitted along with new speakers at the time of the retrim, so if you tire of the sound of that wonderful 4.2-litre engine, some soothing music is just a press of a button away.

Of course the boot area has had the same comprehensive overhaul as the rest of the interior and there’s a surprising amount of luggage space available, making this E-Type the ideal car for a touring holiday. Under the floor expect to find the spare wheel and some tools.

We always include plenty of photographs of a car’s underside, so pause a while and examine those included in our gallery. It looks pretty shipshape to us.

A look under the bonnet will also surely impress. We can see this is a car that has been properly maintained (serviced annually in our seller’s ownership) and the history file tells us the engine was completely rebuilt in 2014.

The eagle-eyed will spot the Magoletsi fuel injection manifold and Emerald control unit for much smoother starting and running. You can read what Jaguar World had to say when they drove the car. A copy is in the picture section for your delectation. They were impressed.

Over the last decade, this lovely E-Type has been maintained primarily by Clayton Classics in Coventry. They are world renowned for their expertise in providing top-level Jaguar E-Type restoration and improvement.

They rebuilt the engine and changed the gearbox in 2014 and details can be found on one of the many invoices from them. At the same time, they carried out suspension and brake overhauls and fitted the fuel injection system.

They also fitted a new front subframe whilst the engine was out, painting the bulkhead etc in the process. A full wax oil was also carried out.

Headlights were upgraded to new Cibie units and a full service was done.

Tom Lenthall Ltd fitted the EZ power steering for our seller in 2018 along with a new starter motor and indicator stalk (cost £4,656.06).

In 2019 uprated half shaft universal joints were fitted and the following year the full interior retrim took place.

The last service by Clayton Classics was in March 2022 and a little later that year an uprated fan cowling was fitted.

The E-Type’s MoT history shows that this car has been enjoyed between tests, the mileage increasing each year. The last test at 6,404 miles was carried out last March, a pass with no advisories being achieved. There are many old MoT certificates with the car.

The car had 99,000 miles on the clock when our seller purchased it, though Clayton Classics did the engine rebuild in 2014. The speedometer was refurbished and calibrated to suit the new gearbox at the same time, so the mileage on the clock now is the actual mileage since the rebuild.

This desirable Series II E-Type has been subject of considerable expense over the last few years and has wanted for nothing. Driven and enjoyed, yet properly stored when not in use, our seller reports that it drives superbly.

Some subtle improvements have been made to improve the car’s usability and we feel they make this car more desirable than ever. Cars are meant to be driven and this classy Jaguar is just raring to go.

We expect the car to sell for between £45,000 and £65,000.

Viewing is always encouraged. 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’