1968 | Jaguar E-Type

There is little doubt that the Jaguar E-Type revolutionised the motoring world and sent the press into raptures. The Museum of Modern Art recognised the significance of the Jaguar E-Type's design in 1996 by adding a blue roadster to its permanent design collection, one of only two cars to receive the distinction. This three-dimensional beauty, however, was complemented by a fabulous double-overhead cam, six-cylinder engine that powered the lithe, taut creature comfortably over the 100mph mark. Jaguar, rightly, was not content to sit upon its laurels however and continue to develop the E-Type with the first substantial improvements arriving in 1964 with a newly enlarged 4.2 litre powerplant increasing torque and improving driveability. In 1968, open headlights without glass covers, a wrap-around rear bumper, re-positioned and larger front indicators and taillights below the bumpers, better cooling aided by an enlarged 'mouth' and twin electric fans together with uprated brakes are all hallmarks of Series II cars. The engine is easily identified visually by the change from smooth polished cam covers to a more industrial 'ribbed' appearance. The interior and dashboard were also redesigned with rocker switches being substituted for toggle switches. The dashboard switches also lost their symmetrical layout.

This E-Type started life as an export example destined for New York; it was repatriated to the UK in 1988 and treated to a rather extensive restoration in the mid 1990s, at which time it was converted to right hand drive. The history file contains a wealth of invoices from this restoration detailing everything involved and contains many photos of the restoration. Our vendor purchased the car around four years ago, as he had always fancied an E-Type, but the car hasn't seen as much use as he thought it might, so the time has come for someone else to enjoy it. Presented in beautiful Navy Blue with a light grey interior, the overall condition is very good, commensurate with the 30 years since the restoration took place. A further £7,000 was spent in 2011 on lots of smaller jobs such as replacement of mounts and gaskets and a general underside freshen up, fewer than 10,000 miles have been covered since. Supplied to auction with an impressive history file, restoration photos, E-Type parts catalogues and a V5C registration document, this looks like an excellent way into E-Type ownership. Consigned by Fraser Smith

Lot details
Year: 1968
Make: Jaguar
Model: E-Type Series II Fixedhead Coupe
Registration: ANK 963G
Chassis No: 1R25040
Odometer: 2,204


* Subject of an extensive restoration in the 1990s

* Coopercraft front brakes