1970 JAGUAR E-TYPE

The Jaguar E?Type, described by Enzo Ferrari as "the most beautiful car ever made," launched in 1961 and quickly became an icon thanks to its styling, performance and pricing. Early cars came as fixed head coupes or open two seaters with a 3.8 litre straight six, all featuring a monocoque body, rack and pinion steering, independent suspension and disc brakes. Later models gained the 4.2 itre six, the 5.3 litre V12, optional automatic transmission and a 2+2 body. The car offered here is a late built Series 2 Open Two Seater with the 4.2 litre straight six and manual gearbox. It is a rare original UK supplied RHD example, VIN 1R 1690, making it one of the final Series 2 roadsters built in 1970 and one of fewer than 800 RHD cars produced. Series 2 features include larger repositioned lights, wraparound bumpers, a bigger front air intake, improved dashboard switches and an ignition lock, plus ribbed rocker covers and twin electric cooling fans. Finished in Signal Red with Black leather, the car is well known to us. We supplied it around five years ago after purchasing it from its second owner, who kept it for 45 years and originally paid £1,895. The odometer shows 21,699 miles, but a new speedometer was fitted in 1979 at 57,000 miles, giving a true total of 78,747. The history file is extensive, including the original book pack, service manual, dealer manual, Radiomobile instructions and wiring diagram. Records show the previous owner bought the car in December 1973 at 36,720 miles. He used it until 1980 when a broken oil ring on No.1 cylinder led to the car being laid up at around 60,500 miles. It remained untouched until 1987, when a full restoration began. The engine was re?bored and rebuilt, and the car stripped to bare metal, repainted and reassembled with new carpets and hood, completed in May 1993. Correspondence shows the owner pushing for completion of the slow "no?rush" restoration. He kept the car for another 25 years, covering 17,000 miles. In later years, due to age and ill health, the car saw little use; the local MOT station would collect it, carry out maintenance and return it to the garage. Careful storage kept the bodywork excellent. The interior needed attention, so the leather seats were rebuilt with sandblasted frames, new cushions, diaphragms and covers. Headrests were similarly rebuilt, with original covers retained. Mechanically, the car was fully serviced and recommissioned with all fluids replaced. Everything inside was checked and sorted. The only non standard change was fitting straight pipes in place of the rear silencers, which remain with the car. Since we sold it, It returns to us in similar condition. This is a high quality RHD E Type at a sensible price, and early viewing is recommended. Nationwide covered delivery can be arranged.