2023-08-08 08:28:31 | pauls writes:

Note: The head doesn't control the compression ratio, the pistons do.

2023-08-08 11:24:18 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1965-jaguar-e-type-series-1-fhc-gLxwRg

Seller's description:

1965 Jaguar E-Type S1 FHC

Colour Black

Odometer 52,813 Miles

Engine size 4235

Seller Type Trade

Town Glenbeigh

Country Ireland

Very good condition with significant recent expenditure 

Desirable colour combination and Webasto folding roof

4.2litre ‘65 car with sought-after all-synchro gearbox 

Excellent bodywork with lightly patinated interior 

One of less than 1,000 RHD 4.2 Series 1 coupes

Jaguar Heritage certificate confirms:

Built on 15th January 1965

Despatched to Henlys of London on 15th March 1965

Original Sand Gold metallic with a red interior 

5 owners from new:

First owner 1965 to 1982

Second owner 1982 to 1988

Third owner 1988 to 1993

Fourth owner 1993 to 2002

Fifth owner 2005 onwards 

Thick history file including:

Old registration documents

Several valuations and vehicle assessments

Old purchase invoices 

MOT records back to 1988

Record of restoration work from 1988 to 2019

Invoices from leading specialists including The E-Type Centre for £2,338 in 2005

Appears to have been restored prior to 1982 when the colour was also changed to dark blue

Over £27,000 spent on structural and mechanical improvements in 2019 with vendor

Photographic record of 2019 restoration work

Car has covered only a few miles since the completion of the restoration work according to the history file 

The extensive history file for this beautiful car indicates it has had just five owners, all clearly fastidious about its upkeep and maintenance. We understand that it was restored prior to 1982 by the first owner, at which point it was repainted in dark blue but retained its original red leather interior. 

The history file has not just invoices for work and parts but also typewritten records of the owners and the work conducted on the car between 1988 and 2019. There are also records of the MOTs with mileages to 1988.

More recently the car had over £27,000 spent on it at the vendor’s workshop by the owner. This work included mechanical fettling and rectification of corrosion on the body. There are photographic records of this work in the history file. 

The vendor has helpfully provided an assessment and valuation of the car, rating the car as 3, signifying that it is a usable, very presentable example in good structural condition.

The Interior

Original red leather interior in good condition but with some patination 

Correct 1965 era leather bucket seats

Period correct radio 

Luggage area in good conditions with complete chrome trims

Carpets appear to have been replaced and in very good condition

Some sun fade and cracking to the leather on the centre console and armrest

Chromework in good and complete condition

Dashboard appears uncracked and with no visible marks 

Original factory correctly three spoke E-Type wood rimmed steering wheel 

After the first cars Jaguar focussed on making the E-Type more comfortable and luxurious, but without losing the sports car focus. Cars like this one therefore gained leather trim for the centre console and an armrest but retained the sports buckets seats, albeit more luxuriously trimmed. 

This car retains the toggle switches and central starter button of the earlier cars, together with the chrome-rimmed heater controls. 

Its Heritage Certificate confirms that it left the factory with a red leather interior, which it clearly retains. The condition is good but with some light patina visible across the switches and fittings indicating its originality. It is not unsightly and arguably adds to its character. 

The centre console and armrest show some fading and light cracking and the attractive bucket seats are lightly creased. There is also some wear to the vinyl trim on the driver’s side A post and the vinyl trim around the boot release catches is lightly rippled. 

The carpets and rear load area are in very good condition, having possibly been retrimmed, likewise the door cards. Dashboard and switchgear appear original with some age-related deterioration but remaining very presentable. There is also a three-spoke, factory-correct wood rimmed steering wheel.

The Heritage Certificate does not mention a sunroof so this may be a later addition. It is a large Webasto-style folding roof that adds considerably to the usability and enjoyment of this beautiful car. 

The Exterior

Gorgeous early E-Type profile with fared headlights, small rear lights and split rear bumper 

Webasto folding sunroof

Pirelli P6000 tyres

15in chrome wire wheels fitted in 2019 with little use since

Appears to have had a bare shell respray in dark blue 

Chromework in good condition with only very light pitting visible on some components 

Headlights converted to halogen 

The E-Type profile is unmistakable and it is cars like this one that cemented its reputation. It retains the key aesthetic features that define these early cars, like the fared headlights, delicate and small rear lights and split rear bumper. 

We understand that the colour was changed prior to 1982 to dark blue. This appears to have been a full bare metal respray because the engine bay and boot floor continue the colour change. The bodywork is in very good condition with no visible marks, scuffs or deterioration in the photographs. This is likely due to over £27,000 having been spent on the car in 2019 - all work carried out by the vendor - to rectify corrosion issues and improve the bodywork. There is a photographic record of this work. The boot floor and areas such as the wheel arches appear solid and with no visible corrosion. 

The all-important panel gaps, particularly on the doors, are very good and consistent with no obvious issues. The chromework is in similar condition and appears to be original, only some light pitting on the rear lamps being noteworthy. 

The Webasto roof appears to be a later addition but professionally done and adds to the car’s appeal. It sits on 15in chrome wire wheels with Pirelli P600 tyres. The wheels were fitted as part of the 2019 restoration work and have covered few miles since. However there is some tarnishing on the spinners on the nearside of the car. There appears to be an older spare tyre in the boot with a wire wheel, possibly an older rim. 

The Mechanics 

4,235cc Jaguar XK engine 

Triple carburettors

4spd all-synchromesh gearbox

Expenditure on the suspension, carburettors and servicing work in 2019

Car has covered only a few hundred miles since 

Fitted with a low compression head number 7F5618-8 rather than the E-Type high compression head 

The vendor says that this alteration does not affect the car’s performance 

The E-Type was originally conceived as a lightweight, aerodynamic sports car to compete at Le Mans, where Jaguar recently enjoyed major success. That never happened but the car did retain the aesthetics and the Le Mans-winning XK engine. From late 1964 Jaguar switched from the 3.8litre to the 4.2litre displacement engine to give the car more power. These models also usefully got the firm’s new all-synchromesh 4spd gearbox, which offered a faster, slicker change that the one on earlier cars.

This thick history file with the car attests to careful, fastidious ownership and verifies the mileage. It has covered few miles since a significant amount of mechanical fettling in late 2019 covering the suspension and carburettors. The car was also serviced at the same time. 

We are told by the vendor that this car is original with the exception of the head unit, which is a later low compression design usually fitted to Jaguar’s saloons. Apparently this does not affect its performance.