Description

1967 Jaguar E-Type S1 2+2

From a deceased estate; current owner 15 years; uprated 4-pot brakes; electronic ignition; restored to show-winning condition in the late 1990s and still in lovely condition today

In October 1964 Jaguar announced a new engine for their beautiful E-Type. While demand still surged ahead of supply, it was felt to be the right moment to refresh the car with a 4.2-litre version of the charismatic 3.8 straight-six twin-cam masterpiece.
Torque increased from 240 to 283 lbs/ft, maximum power remaining the same at 265bhp albeit at slightly lower revs. The original, rather ‘crunchy’ Moss gearbox gained synchromesh on all gears, the updates making the car easier to drive with no loss of performance. In fact when Autocar tested a Coupe in May 1965, they recorded a top speed of 153mph – easily the fastest thing they had driven to date.
In 1966, the range was further expanded with the addition of a family-friendly 2+2, adding a usable set of rear seats thanks to an extra 9" in the wheelbase. The screen became more upright to allow sufficient headroom in the rear and an automatic gearbox was made available on this model only as an option. Some 3,616 Series 1 2+2s were made, around 13% of production.
As the Heritage Certificate confirms, this lovely Series One 2+2 was built in January 1967 and was originally Opalescent Silver Blue with a Dark Blue interior and a manual gearbox. Sold new via PJ Evans of Birmingham, a green logbook shows that it had moved to the Manchester area by 1972. Notes on file state that it was fully restored in 1997/98 when it was also colour changed to Carmen Red but there are no invoices for this period.
In 2004 it was advertised for sale in Jaguar Enthusiast magazine, the ad stating: "Recent total restoration; considered by the local main agent to be one of the best ever seen; first to see will buy; 59,000 miles; £21,000". It was then bought by a gentleman in Essex, photos of the car at the time showing that it was indeed in stunning condition. Our vendor acquired it from him in September 2007 by which time it had covered 65,000 miles with a good file of invoices to show regular upkeep during this period.
In January 2008 the vendor sent it to Pete Chambers Automotive of Tewkesbury for a full service and a stem-to-stern checkover with various new parts fitted including a reconditioned radiator, a new steering arm, rebuilt ball joints and new front brake discs with uprated 4-pot calipers, the bill for this lot coming to £3,648.
An uprated starter motor was fitted in 2009 along with a new set of tyres at around 67,300 miles. Magnatronic electronic ignition was fitted in March 2010 at 68,118 miles when the car was also given a full service by RetroMarques of Strensham. It was serviced again by them in April 2011 just 400 miles later, being rolling road tuned at the same time.

In March 2012 it was serviced again at around 70,000 miles and a new sports coil was fitted the following month along with a new fuel pump and new exhaust hangers three months later. We are told by the family that the E-Type was displayed at a show on the Isle of Wight at around this time, the owner being delighted to scoop the Best in Show award. In May 2014 it was serviced again at 72,567 miles and then again in June 2015 at 74,706 miles when it also received new cam cover gaskets and a new 123 tunable distributor.
In April 2017 at 76,169 miles the car was assessed for insurance purposes by Ken Jenkins Classic Jaguars of Worksop who stated that it was "in good condition and well maintained" and valued it at "not less than £55,000". Ken Jenkins also serviced the car the following month at 76,180 miles. In February 2019 it went back to Jenkins for another service at 79,094 miles when all the fluids were changed and both top ball joints were renewed.
On offer here from a deceased estate, the car now shows 79,378 miles and has been in dry storage for the last two or three years so may benefit from a precautionary checkover before being pressed back into use. In addition to all the maintenance invoices, it also comes with 16 old MOTs back to 2005 (when it was showing 60,861 miles; the last MOT was issued in May 2018 with no advisories at 78,706 miles), two owners handbooks, two lubrication charts and two spare parts catalogues.
Starting promptly with a jump pack and running well as have moved it around for the photos, with good 40psi oil pressure when hot, this is a most impressive E-Type all round and looks excellent value at the modest guide price suggested.

Documents: V5C; older V5C; green logbook from 1972; 16 old MOTs; invoices; photos; Heritage Certificate; handbooks; lubrication charts; parts catalogues

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com