1969 Jaguar E Type

The E Type’s included V5c document shows its date of first UK registration as being 24/10/1969, and it confirms a total of just four owners from new. Included in the car’s history file (see History Highlights section, below) is a Jaguar Heritage production record trace certificate (issued on 23/05/2011) identifying the all-important specifications, dates and numbers. These include:

• Date of manufacture: 8 August 1969
• Chassis number: 1R 35500
• Engine number: 7R-38329-9
• Body number: 4R 39052
• Gearbox number: KJS 2360
• Transmission: manual
• Exterior paint colour: Signal Red
• Interior trim colour: Beige
• Original distributor: Henlys, London
• Date of despatch: 15 September 1969

“I bought it off an enthusiast and key member of an E Type Club,” explains vendor, Neil Duke. “He had the car fully restored back in 1993 with body stripped down, repaired and re-sprayed, and the running gear comprehensively reworked. Minor modifications were made to improve it, such as placing a baton of wood through a crossmember that’s prone to collapsing when jacked up; it may seem like a silly little thing but demonstrates his knowledge and detailed understanding of the model”.

You will find a comprehensive photographic history of the restoration in the E Type’s history file (again, see our History Highlights section, below), as well as numerous invoices for both the restoration work itself, a huge number of replacement parts and the car’s later maintenance. Also included is a detailed list of the work carried out by the restorer, well-known Classic and Vintage Car specialist James of Cranleigh, Surrey.

Its invoice, dated 18/12/93, alone, ran to £8,129.53, with further thousands of pounds subsequently spent on the vehicle to keep it in good working and aesthetic orders.

Vendor Neil is consolidating his collection, and the E Type is now destined for a new home as he is simply not using it enough. “It’s a lovely example, and great sports car to boot”.

Back in ’93, specialist James removed all rust from the bodywork and retained original panels where possible. New panels were fabricated where necessary, including door skins, sills and inner components including the mounting points for the Reynolds frame at the front of the car. In came new rear arch panels, part rear wings, front wings and front bulkheads. The body underwent stripping and contouring, before having etch primer, then primer and a 2-pack red guide coat applied. All internal sill panels were given a coat of Hammerite black, underseal applied to the underside and wax injected into all cavity sections, including the front of the bonnet and doors.

So, how it holding up? Well, the answer is exceedingly well indeed. “As the photographs show, the body remains in very nice condition,” says Neil. “It’s not concours perfect; there are one or two small blemishes, such as some tiny pinholes on the bonnet, but it’s been very well looked after and generally it’s a smart example”.

Is there a more evocative sight than Britain’s favourite sports car resplendent in Signal Red and with gleaming chrome wire wheels? Rhetorical question or not, we’re going to answer it. Quite simply: no.

The body is wonderfully straight, and the paintwork retains a pleasant glossy appearance. Brightwork, including those magnificent wire wheels, is excellent. Up top a Webasto sunroof is fitted; it fits snugly, opens and closes smoothly, and most importantly, the underside headlining shows no signs whatsoever of water ingress.

It’s a lovely thing.

The Beige cabin is a glorious foil for the exterior and ensures, aided and abetted by that Webasto sunroof, a wonderfully light interior ambience. Interior condition is consistent with that of the exterior. The leather is only very lightly patinated with very few marks or blemishes.

Sill coverings remain nice and clean, as do carpets and door cards. In the rear the +2 seats look almost brand new, and the boot space is trimmed to a similarly high standard. Good quality chrome-buckle seat belts are fitted and are matched in colour.

Up front, the dashboard is in excellent condition with clear dials and switchgear and surrounding areas nice and free from any signs of heavy use. There are no cracks or indications of shrinkage to the dashboard top covering. It’s clear that post-restoration the E Type has led a cosseted life.

Pop the rear hatch and you will find a spare tyre and tool set stowed. Lift those out and confidence inspiring solid body-coloured metal greets you. A spare three-spoke wood-rimmed steering wheel is provided with the car.

We’ll take you straight to this car’s underside, as with many classic cars, it’s all good looking shiny on top but that’s got to be backed by solidity underneath and that’s exactly what you get here. It is in most excellent fettle. Solid, well protected metal abounds. There are very few signs of any surface corrosion, maybe one or two small bits on one sill edge, but this looks like it should be an easy clean up with a wire brush and some fresh underseal.

The stainless-steel exhaust system positively gleams, and all suspension and drive train components look to be in good health. It’s a similar picture under that huge louvred bonnet with smart presentation, a clean sub-frame and that lusty six-cylinder XK engine in pride of place.

Pop to 4 minutes and 07 seconds to hear it fire up first time. It revs smoothly under throttle, and elicits a refined exhaust note from the twin rear tailpipes. On the road, the E Type delivers a smooth, poised and impressively sporting driving experience.

As well as the photographic, invoice and written histories of the restoration (and the V5c and Heritage certificate documents), you will find the E Type’s original buff logbook, numerous expired MOT certificates and an owner’s service policy included.

As with any restored classic car it’s worth taking your time to electronically peruse this car’s file to see exactly what the restoration entailed, and to what standard it was carried out (an excellent one, we must add!).

A strong history is always a bonus that allows you to bid with confidence.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork that confirm that this vehicle has been restored and then maintained to a very good standard.

As we’ve stated earlier, an E Type in Signal Red is always an evocative thing, and this Series 2 example is no exception. Restored under the direction (and watchful eye) of a knowledgeable Club enthusiast during the Nineties, it has been continually improved since and very well looked after.

As such, it remains in lovely order and should provide the next owner with a consummate E Type experience. We think this fine motor car will achieve somewhere between £40,000 and £50,000, which at either end (or in the middle) will represent good value for the car on offer.

If you’ve always had an E Type itch, then this could be the car to scratch it with. Former owners too could reintroduce themselves to the model in impressive, but good value, fashion here.

Epic, six-cylinder XK engine, and poised Sixties sports car thrills are a ready and a waiting.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ in Oxfordshire; 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’.