1966 Jaguar E-Type Series 1

Description

• AT AUCTION – Please click HERE
• One owner for the last 42 years
• Genuine 4k mileage
• Series 1 4.2 litre
• Comprehensive professional body overhaul
• Refurbished engine and mechanicals

Can you remember what you were you doing in 1982? The owner of this lovely Series 1 E-type can. On the 17 August 1982 he purchased this Jaguar with a mileage of 2,854. It has been with him ever since.

Age hasn’t diminished this E-Type’s appeal. It looks stunning and still has the ability to stop people in their tracks. A good E-type will rekindle your love of driving; finding one is the difficult part.

Legends don’t come much bigger than the E-Type. 

They need little introduction. This one has the three magic ingredients of the best classic cars; provenance, condition and ownership.

There is no-one better to tell that story than our vendor. Here it is in his own words:

E-Type Jaguar-GOC 122D – Storybook of my ownership

“E-Type Jaguar 4.2 Fixed Head Coupe

Purchased 17th August 1982 mileage 02834

My journey since that day in August 1982 until now April 2024, a total of almost 42 years.

My story begins when I travelled to Somerford Car Sales, a local garage in Cannock, Staffordshire, to purchase a TR6 which I had been in love with for the previous 3 years, but until that day in 1982, couldn’t afford to buy one. 

After arriving at the car sales garage, there were several TR6’s on offer, all of which looked very appealing, but what caught my eye was an ice blue E-Type on the end of the run of cars for sale.

The thoughts of the TR6 sitting on our drive, went completely out of the window and the reality of purchasing a boyhood dream car was slowly becoming an inevitability.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I purchased the E-Type Jaguar 4.2L Fixed Head Coupe on 17th August 1982 and so began a 42-year journey. 

I drove the E-Type for a few years before deciding on embarking on a complete restoration, only clocking up a further 1,180 miles.

This didn’t really get off the ground for some 10 years, whereby I just pottered around with it and never really found time to carry out any repairs at all, with family and work commitments taking priority.

It wasn’t until 1996, that, through my work I met with Keith Bradley, the MD of Macneillie & Son Ltd, a very reputable coachbuilding company in Walsall, whereby we struck a deal for him to carry out the complete, “ground up” bare metal rebuild of my E-Type bodywork.

After arriving at their factory in 1996 the car was stripped of its peripheral parts back to a bare shell, whereupon it was taken back to bare metal, ready for the repair/rebuild.

It then underwent panel repairs, with any rusted areas removed and renewed where required. All original and new seams/joints were then filled with the tried and tested method of lead loading, where close to 50 sticks of lead were used in the process.

It was around this time (1996/7) the engine was removed and taken to my friend’s (Mr Pat Brittain) garage, “Brittains Garage”, to be rebuilt along with a new cylinder head in place.

Upon initial inspection of the bonnet, it was thought to be salvageable, but it was found to be beyond repair. A complete new bonnet had to be purchased and fitted, along with all new chrome fittings.

The bonnet again was hand assembled and fitted to match existing lines of the newly refurbished monocoque body shell.

After lead loading was completed and all body lines and gaps visually inspected, the car underwent a complete new respray, whereupon several coats of paint were applied to give the finish we have at present.

In all, nearly 700 man-hours had been applied to this bodywork restoration.

My E-Type was eventually delivered back to me in 2004.

Since that day, we have moved house a few times, whereby the car was transported between each house, only to live in the garages of these houses, with no further meaningful work being carried out until we moved to a house that had a double garage, with more space to actually work on my E-Type.

From that moment onwards I decided to pull my finger out and get down to the task at hand of trying to rebuild the running gear of the car.

It was from here that I completely rebuilt the back axle, carried out the brakes upgrade, including new discs, shock absorbers, coil springs, pipework, header tank, radiator refurb, exhaust system, wheels rebuilt, various parts shot-blasted, painted re-chromed or polished etc.

The car has not been driven on the open road since the start of its refurb, all those years ago.

Over time I would probably say I have spent approx. £25,000 on the refurb/repair of my E-Type, not including my labour time, which was spent lovingly free of charge.

This now brings me to this point in time where I now want my E-Type to be passed on to another loving owner to play and tinker and enjoy it, as I have had my total enjoyment through its journey.”

Background

The Series 1 was introduced, initially for export only, in March 1961. Four months later in July 1961, it was launched to its home market. The 3.8 litre engine was increased to 4.2 litre in October 1964. Broadly similar in output, the 4.2 litre had more torque, was a touch quicker but mainly had much better driveability than the previous engine. It is considered by many to be the best version of the E-type. A legend was born.

Outside

After a professional rebuild stretching across eight years the expectations are that the outside would be good. Have a look for yourselves.

The possible anxiety buying any E-type is the toll the British summertime inflicts. This Jaguar has had new panels where needed and we’re told ‘close to 50 sticks’ of lead were loaded into it, old school style.

• Pearlescent Blue
• New bonnet assembly
• Bare metal respray
• Approx 700 man hours of labour

A truly stunning looker. Professionally renovated to a very high standard. The result looks like a top-drawer restoration.  The chrome and exterior are excellent. All the lights, lamps, bumpers and glass are very good.

It is difficult to pick out one design element that stands out. But take a look at the front grille bar. That is special.

Inside

Inside, the timeless design continues. The E-Type inside is beautiful. The condition of the interior is every bit as impressive as the outside. All the work has clearly been carried out to a high standard.

The soft, supple Series 1 upholstery is a pleasure to both look at and sit in. The seats are comfortable and functional. The door cards, carpets, mats and headlining are in good condition.

The steering wheel, gear lever, instruments, dials and controls all look equally good. The attention to detail is exemplified in the rear luggage compartment, take a look.

The Smiths dials, controls, vast bank switches combined with that smart three-spoke wood-rimmed sports steering wheel deliver a brilliant classic car experience. We doubt another car like an E-type will ever be built again. Just one of the many reasons why they remain so desirable.

Mechanicals

• Rear axle rebuilt
• Brakes upgraded
• New discs
• New shock absorbers
• New coil springs,
• New pipework
• New header tank
• New radiator
• New exhaust system
• The wheels have been rebuilt

Then there is that legendary XK straight six engine.

Summary

What makes a good classic car? Condition. Ownership. Desirability.

A gorgeous Series 1 E-type in this condition with the same owner for 42 years covers all the above.

We see lots of E-types. Some have been made into ‘new’ cars. That misses the point. This E-type has been wonderfully restored, but along with that, it is in every way authentic. The gentle effects of aging in detailed, areas such as the rear number lights for example keep this E-type honest.

This complete combination in one classic is very unusual. Finding a good one is difficult. Look at the images again. You may have found the one you’ve been looking for.

Vehicle Location: Codsall, Staffordshire WV8 – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendors.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question about this Jaguar E-type Series 1? Please contact us at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

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Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So, we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we.

The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘it’s worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, because we are different, if it really does matter to you, that’s fine, we want you to be happy. Just drop us a line at team@evoke-classics.com and one of us will be delighted to get back to you, it’s what we do.

Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please.

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