Lot Ended
Description
Three owners
from new; fully restored in the late-1990s and kept in a Cotswold
collection; recent £17k overhaul at CMC and only 1,000 miles since; four new
tyres; advisory-free MOT; a really super example of Britain's most beautiful
sportscar
First registered in February 1963, this beautiful Series
One E-Type 3.8 Coupe has had just three owners from new, according to the V5C,
the first being a Mr Hyland of Leicestershire who was to keep it for 46
years.
Photos on file show that the car was treated to a bare shell
restoration at some point in the late-1990s. Although there are no invoices to
show exactly what was done, it was clearly a very thorough job and included a
bare metal repaint in Carmen red.
Photographs show the 3.8-litre
straight-six back in situ looking totally flawless, and while we are unsure
exactly what engine work was undertaken, it certainly looks to have been
a very professional job. The photos also show what appear to be brand
new suspension components fitted, including shock absorbers, hubs, arms and
bushes. The rear number plate suggests that some of this work may have been
carried out by XK Engineering - who knows?
The second owner acquired the
car in 2009 and during his 15-year ownership the E-Type formed part of a
private collection kept at his manor house in Gloucestershire. It was very
lightly used, eight old MOTs showing that it only covered some 1,800
miles over that period. Various invoices show routine upkeep, including a head
gasket kit in August 2009, a carburettor rebuild kit in December 2009 and a new
Lucas Sport coil in March 2010.
More recently, in October 2019 the second
owner treated his E-Type to a trip to renowned Jaguar specialists CMC of
Bridgnorth where it was given the full CMC treatment, invoices showing that well
over £17,000 was spent on the car over the next couple of months.
This included a rebuild of the Moss gearbox;
engine overhaul and tune-up; rear diff and IRS assembly fully rebuilt; brakes,
steering and suspension all rebuilt as required; new clutch kit and reskimmed
flywheel; new West of England cloth headlining along with many other minor jobs.
The mileage at this point was 56,954 and it has only covered 1,000 miles since.
Our vendor acquired the car in June last year
(for considerably more than the guide price suggested here) and has treated it
to a further £4,000 of expenditure including a new set of Pirelli Cinturato
tyres and a service with fresh oil and filter. At his wife's insistence he also
fitted new seat belts but she still doesn't like the car because it has no air
bags (!) hence why it is in this sale [wife or E-Type - tough choice or no
brainer? You decide... - Ed].
Looking absolutely splendid in
our classic car barn, this beautiful E-Type shows off the pinnacle of British
motorcar styling. The interior is mellowing nicely with few signs
of wear and that distinctive early E-Type dimpled aluminium centre
console and switchboard, black leather dash trim, correct bucket seats in
black leather with red piping, black carpets and grey cloth headlining.
What a lovely place to sit it is - and who needs air bags anyway?!
The
exterior of the car is gleaming, the brightwork looks to be in very good
condition, the bodywork looks to be nice and straight, the paintwork is
deep and glossy with just a couple of minor imperfections here and there
(as pictured). The engine bay still holds its own but could be
polished to perfection with a small amount of time and effort and the engine
number on the car matches that on the VIN plate.
It has been
starting instantly and running very nicely indeed as we have moved it around on
site, with good 45psi oil pressure. Although it no longer needs one, it has an
MOT until April 2026 with no advisories recorded.
These E-Types are
fantastic value at the moment and if you have ever lusted after a really nice
early Series One 3.8 that you won't be scared to use, this is a chance not
to be missed.
Consigned by James Dennison - 07970 309907 -
james.dennison@brightwells.com