Description

1969 Jaguar E-Type S2 Coupe

One California owner from new until 2003; only 63,460 miles; restored at a cost of over $164,000 (£92k) in 2010; 5-speed gearbox conversion; matching numbers; a lovely example all round

Although die-hard E-Type aficionados will always claim that the Series 1 is the car to have, in the real world there is no doubt that the Series 2, launched in October 1968, is the better car to drive.

Visually distinguished by its slightly higher, uncowled front headlights, wider ‘mouth’ at the front and different tail lights, it had twin fans for better cooling, an all-synchro gearbox, better seats, better brakes, improved switchgear and slightly more room in the cabin.

Power still came from the same magnificent 265bhp 4.2-litre triple-carb XK engine which endowed the car with a top speed in excess of 130mph. Just 4,855 Series 2 fixed head coupes were made in total (1,070 in RHD and 3,785 in LHD) before it was replaced by the V12-powered Series 3 in late 1970.

First registered in May 1969, this lovely S2 Coupe had just one lady owner for the first 34 years of its life (Barbara Hambly of California) and comes with a good history file to document regular upkeep throughout this time. From 1998 onwards it appears to have been kept in storage at which time it had covered some 54,749 miles, as certified by documentation on file.

In 2003 it moved to Canada where, in 2010, it was treated to a major restoration by British Auto Specialists of Calgary with bills on file amounting to over $164,000 (about £92k at the time). As you can see, the work was done to a very high standard and included an engine overhaul and the fitment of a 5-speed manual gearbox supplied by XKs Unlimited at a cost of $4,395. A few more invoices attest to light use in Canada over the next few years, the car finally coming back to the UK in June 2015 and being registered here as JSA 408G.

Our vendor acquired the car via Brightwells in 2018 when it had covered 62k miles and has since added another 1,500 miles to the odometer. He has kept the car well maintained and reports that everything works as it should, apart from the clock which has never worked. Invoices show that it has recently had various new parts fitted including: two new lower ball joints; radius arm bushes; clutch slave cylinder; starter motor; coolant hoses; fuel tank etc.  

Still showing only 63,500 miles on the clock which seems likely to be correct, it remains in lovely condition throughout, the last few photos (which were taken on a ramp in 2018) showing that it is as good underneath as it is up top. It also retains its original engine, making it a 'matching numbers' machine.

Supplied with an MOT until November 2023 (with just one advisory relating to the brake servo vacuum hoses), it also comes with 7 old MOTs, the aforementioned service history and restoration invoices, California Certificate of Title plus a Heritage Certificate. Ideal for Continental touring, it could be converted to RHD if desired using a kit of parts readily available from the many specialists who serve this model.

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