Vehicle Description
Famously launched at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, the Jaguar E-Type
created a furore. Its combination of supercar performance, superb
styling and a low price tag left rivals reeling and customers
clamouring. Built as a monocoque with a front sub-frame to cradle
the engine, the model's combination of all-round independent
suspension (torsion-bar front/coil-sprung rear) rack and pinion
steering and four-wheel disc brakes gave it excellent roadholding
and handling capabilities. Fed by triple SU HD8 carburettors and
topped with a 'straight port' DOHC cylinder head, its indomitable
3781cc straight-six engine was quoted as developing some 265bhp and
260lbft of torque. Allied to a four-speed Moss gearbox, it
reputedly enabled the low-slung two-seater to sprint from 0-60mph
in 6.9 seconds and onto 150mph. While any E-Type roadster is
desirable, the lithesome free-revving 3.8 litre cars enjoy a
particularly exalted status; however, the later Series I, 4.2 litre
was a better engine. An original righthand drive, UK supplied
Series One E-type with matching numbers is becoming harder to find,
especially below �100,000, or so the classifieds would have us
believe. Offered here, however, we have what can be considered one
of the very best and offered at a very competitive estimate, with
bags full of confidence and an excellent finish from the
restoration carried out in 1985 by XK Engineering. The current
vendor has owned the car since 2004 when it was purchased from John
'Mooneys' Cooper the racing motorcyclist in its original colour as
stated on the Jaguar Heritage Certificate. It was almost a
completely standard example with the exception of Cooper craft
front brake callipers, 6J wheels and an up rated cooling fan with
the mileage displaying a mere 58,000 miles. The vendor used NGP
425D sparingly through to 2010 when the car was laid up until 2014.
During this time the engine was re-built by the vendor, a talented
mechanical engineer, with new valves, springs and JD phase 1
camshafts, it was also re-bored and the crankshaft reground whilst
new cam chains and tensioner's/guides were fitted alongside XJS
conrods and a new oil pump. During the rebuild the car was found to
have a gas flowed cylinder head and this and the cylinder block
face were lightly skimmed. The engine was refitted with a rebuilt
starter motor, water pump, a replacement flywheel and a new clutch
with the original gearbox reconditioned and the prop shaft rebuilt.
The exhaust is a full Hayward and Scott system including six branch
manifold, the front shock absorbers are adjustable and the car was
waxoiled and returned to the road in 2014 showing just 63,000
miles. The accompanying history file is full of receipts and
invoices together with a full photographic record of the 1985
restoration. Shown at the Windsor Jaguar meet this year, this
example is in fabulous order with little sign of any wear and the
vendor states that it drives, unsurprisingly, like a dream and
knocks spots off of many E-Types you will find on the road today.
Offered at a very attractive estimate and with a fabulous history,
we believe this E-Type will be a firm favourite. � For sale by
auction on Saturday 23 September 2017 with Historics at Brooklands,
Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit, Weybridge, Surrey, Call 01753
639170
