1968 Jaguar E Type

Originally a US (Alabama) car, bought by the vendor from LA, this Series 1.5 2+2 Coupe’s included V5c document shows its first UK registration to have been 19/07/2021, with the car having just a single owner since then (our vendor).

Since it arrived on these shores, he has carried out a gentle rolling recommission of the vehicle, with London-based The Jag Shop completing all the work. This has included replacement of fuel and braking system pipes, lines and hoses, and pistons for the latter, numerous suspension bushes, gaiters, ball joints and track rod ends, as well as fitment of a high-torque starter motor and new distributor. When the vendor purchased the car it had an incorrect S3 four-exit exhaust. That was replaced 18 months ago with a brand new & correct S1.5 item, and has had new mountings and straps added, with all new gaskets. The carburettors too have had an overhaul, with fresh gaskets added. The full list of parts and work carried out, as well as all associated costs, can be viewed in our photographic gallery, below.

The vendor has stated that it's 'proved very reliable.. going to Goodwood every year with no issues'.

A Jaguar Heritage Trust Heritage Certificate, issued 4 January 2022, is also provided, which shows the following important information:

• • Date of Manufacture – 7 May 1968
• • Chassis number – 1E 78638
• • Engine number – 7E 54932-9
• • Body number – 4E 54930
• • Gearbox number – KJ8 389
• • Transmission – Manual
• • Exterior paint colour – Opalescent Silver Grey
• • Interior trim colour – black
• • Original distributor – Jaguar Cars, New York, USA
• • Date of dispatch – 22 May 1968

There’s no doubt that in silver, the E-Type presents as one sleek looking high-speed classic missile. It’s a rarer hue, usually seen on Lightweights and such like, but one that certainly ticks our boxes.

It’s also a notoriously difficult colour to match so you’ll be pleased to hear that the colour is uniform from panel to panel; it retains a first-class hue and is generally clean with just the odd little blemish here and there. Panel fit is very good. There’s a small dent on the front wing (between door and bonnet), but the doors, wheel arches and sills all look nice and solid. The clear front indicator lenses and colour-coded, bullet-type wing mirrors lend it both sporting and under the radar looks, which we quite like.

Brightwork is generally sharp, and you’ll find a matching wire wheel located in the boot.

The cabin is evocative E-Type and transports you instantly back to a time when leather, chrome and a touch of wood combined to make Sixties automobiles swing.

It’s a nice cabin. The leather seats have a gentle touch of patina, with the driver’s seat still well bolstered and offering plenty of support. Up front the dashboard panels are relatively free of marks, with nice clear Smiths gauges. Carpets and door cards are good, while the new steering wheel from Jaguar Classic is in excellent condition. The period style radio, also sourced from Jaguar Classic at a cost of £1,000, features Bluetooth, USB charging, phone via the speakers and Sat Nav built in. There are speakers fitted either side of it on the center column, as are non-inertia reel seatbelts.

Up top, the cream headlining has a few marks on it but nothing that detracts too much from the pleasing cabin ambience. Lift the carpets and you’ll find sound deadening material, and under that clean metal.

Open the rear hatch and you’ll find a good usable luggage space – the 2+2’s raison d'etre. Under that is the spare wheel, a spinner tightening/loosening tool and tool set. The metal work in the wheel well is in good condition, too.

Pop to 1 minute 25 seconds on our Video Review below to hear this car’s legendary straight six XK engine fire up; it does so first time, settling immediately into a contented tick-over. Under throttle, you get a breathy intake noise elicited by the twin SU carburettors’ lattice type air filters and a nice, meaty exhaust note. On the move the car drives well, providing a consummate E-Type experience.

The engine bay is in good condition, neither in the first flushes of youth but not too grubby either – just in a decent used condition. All pipes and hoses look to be in good nick. There’s a touch of what looks to be mild surface rust on the metalwork just aft of the battery that’s worth noting, but a quick tidy up (wire brush and paint) should take care of that.

There are a few scrapes, scratches and dents on the underside – that front valance has seen a kerb or two. Again, a bit of TLC may benefit the car in terms of ensuring longevity of bodywork if it’s to be driven regularly (i.e., in anything other than dry weather). The stainless-steel exhaust system is still in rude health.

Altogether, it looks good.

In the E-Type’s history file you will find a leather Jaguar Heritage Trust wallet, housing the car’s Heritage Trust Certificate. Also included are all invoices related to the recent works carried out by The Jag Shop re-commissioning the vehicle.

Also included is a recent online vehicle check, which shows no outstanding finance, history of being written off or stolen. As expected, it does note that the car has been imported to the UK.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been gently re-commissioned and well looked after.

This is a nice example of an original US Jaguar E-Type, which is presented in one of the rarer factory colours. With a catalogue of recent re-commissioning works, it’s ready for the next owner to continue the triple processes of improving, driving and enjoying it.

As a left hooker, the price it fetches will naturally be a little lower than for one that’s always resided on these shores. That means it should offer very good value, and something a little bit left-field (no pun, intended) in the world of Jaguar E-Types in the UK.

The more we look at the lovely Opalescent Silver Grey colour, the more we like it.

How about you?

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ near Abingdon. Viewings are strictly by appointment. We are open for viewing weekdays 10am-4pm. To make a booking 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’.