2023-07-03 14:31:38 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1969-jaguar-e-type-series-ii-45dxXn

Seller's description:

1969 Jaguar E type series II

Colour White

Odometer 35,156 Miles

Engine size 4200

Seller Type Private

Town Killybegs

Location NOT STATED

Country Ireland

Recently completed after bare metal, 10 year structural restoration process

Significant mechanical expenditure too including suspension overhaul

Attractive Old English White over burgundy leather colour scheme

Very usable E Type with all the key work already done

Despatched by Jaguar on 18th December 1968

Northern Ireland registration document shows registration on 20th July 1990

Heritage Certificate states:

Originally light blue with dark blue interior

Sold new to a dealer in Ipswich on a G plate

We understand that the car was exported to California then reimported to the UK and converted to RHD

Spent time in long term storage after being reimported

Bought by the seller in June 2012 in Northern Ireland

Comprehensively restored by seller from 2012 to 2022 with few miles since

Chassis records show that this is car number 431 of 3,385 LHD FHC Series 2 E Types

Original engine misplaced following return to UK so is fitted with a Jaguar XJ 4.2litre XK engine, a common and virtually indistinguishable modification

This 1969 E Type has had an interesting history. Originally sold new as LHD car to a dealer in Ipswich it was then exported to California. It appears to have returned to the UK in July 1990 when it was converted to RHD and entered into long term storage. During this sojourn the engine was sent away to be rebuilt but mysteriously disappeared. The car is now fitted with a Jaguar XJ XK 4.2 litre engine so is not matching numbers. XJ engines vary slightly from those fitted to E Types. 

The seller acquired the car in June 2012 and set about a 10 year comprehensive restoration covering bodywork, suspension and mechanicals. The interior was also partially retrimmed. Originally light blue with a dark blue interior, The car was repainted Old English White with a complementary burgundy interior. 

The Interior

The interior is a neat blend of original and refurbished fittings

Leather seats, carpets and centre console trim appear to have been retrimmed to a good standard with little use since

Original dashboard with factory-fitted dials and switches in aged but presentable condition

Dashboard correctly converted to RHD configuration including moving the choke and heater controls to the correct positions

Capillary oil pressure gauge fitted

Lovely 3-spoke wood rimmed E Type steering wheel

Original radio with some missing switch elements

Rear load area in good condition

Beyond the E Type’s flowing body lines is an interior that is surely amongst the best installed in any 60s sports car. Simple yet distinctly Jaguar, it is cosy and cocooning and the view down the bonnet is surely worth the effort of getting past the narrow doors. 

The interior of this car is a nice blend of original and restored, the dashboard and its array of dials and switches showing signs of use but the carpets, centre console and seats clearly restored. The work has been done to a good standard although the seller states that it may not be quite factory correct in places. There is also a lovely three spoke E Type steering wheel.

The dashboard has been correctly converted from LHD to RHD, including moving the choke and heater controls. However, the high beam toggle switch is not factory correct. There is what appears to be an original radio fitted, albeit with some deterioration to the switches. The rear load area is in good condition.

The seller states that a capillary oil pressure gauge is fitted and that the fuel gauge is erratic and the horn does not work. 

The Exterior 

Nicely presented in Old English White and fresh from a 10yr restoration process

Restoration included new sills, wheel arches and footwells 

Paintwork in very good condition albeit with a coupe of minor barely noticeable marks

New chrome wire wheels and tyres with only 10 miles use

Wheels and tyres are slightly wider than factory standard but enhance the stance of the car

Bumpers rechromed and original chrome elsewhere 

Small dent in the offside front bumper over-rider

US specification side marker lights

Door and window seals replaced

Inner sills waxoiled, primed and stone guarded

The colour scheme of this E Type is particularly attractive and is the result of a 10yr meticulous restoration by the seller, completed in 2022. The car has covered few miles since.

The original factory colour of light blue has been changed to Old English White and follows a bare metal respray and structural refurbishment. The seller states that this involved new sills, wheel arches and both footwells being cut back and replaced. The sills were then stone guarded and wax oiled.

The paintwork is in very good condition, only two small marks to note including a dimple on the offside rear arch where some solvent spilled and the usual damage to the offside scuttle where the driver’s door occasionally fouls it. We also understand that one of the doors has light damage incurred when fitting the new door and windows seal, but we could not see this in the photographs. The panel fit, in particular the doors, looks very good and even.

The chromework is mostly original, with some light signs of pitting and deterioration in small areas, but the front and rear bumpers have been rechromed. 

There are some marks on the rear lights but otherwise the lights and glasswork are in good condition, the car being fitted with US specification tinted windows.

The chrome wire wheels, slightly wider than factory standard but nicely filling the arches, are new as are the tyres. 

The Mechanics 

Extensive renovation and improvement of the running gear during the restoration with very few miles covered since

Suspension renewed including bushes, bearings, discs and callipers 

Brake lines renewed 

New wiper motor, starter motor, alternator and electric fan

Large core radiator 

Electronic ignition 

4spd manual gearbox with new clutch recently fitted

Running on twin SU Stromberg carburettors rather than the factory standard tripe SU set up

Seller states that the carburettors would benefit from being professionally tuned

This is not a matching numbers car as the original engine was mislaid during earlier storage

Fitted with a XK engine from a Jaguar XJ, which is very similar but not identical to an E Type XK engine

The joy of the E Type is that it doesn’t just look good, it goes well too. The Le Mans-derived XK engine delivers power from very low revs, enabling rapid acceleration from just 20mph. Later cars like this one got Jaguar’s fully synchromesh four speed gearbox that offers a slick, quick change.

This car’s original engine was misplaced during its storage and renovation following its re-importation to the UK so it runs a XK engine from a Jaguar XJ. These engines are virtually identical to those used in the E Type and it is common for the sports car to feature them. Although not a matching numbers car, it is a change that would be indistinguishable to any but the most devoted of E Type enthusiasts.

Factory E Types were supplied with triple SU carburettors. This car has been converted to run on two SU Strombergs. The seller states that due to the recent restoration and little use since it would benefit from a professional tune up.

We understand that the suspension has been comprehensively and recently overhauled including bushes and bearings and the brakes have received new discs, callipers and lines.

The mechanical work also included fitting a new wiper motor, starter motor, alternator and electric fan plus a large core radiator. The car has also been converted to a more reliable electronic ignition set up. There is also a new clutch.