AT THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW 60 years ago, the Jaguar E-type was first revealed to the world, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon and indisputable automotive icon. The world had fallen in love with one of the most beautiful cars ever imagined and – with a price of around £45,000 ($A80,000) in today’s money – owning the fastest car on the road all of a sudden wasn’t a pipedream for many.
Even 60 years on, the allure of the E-type refuses to wane, as owners seek to restore their cars to perfection or to upgrade their cars to more modern standards. E-Type UK is one of England’s leading dedicated E-type specialists, responsible for maintaining these beautiful cars, and allowing them to be enjoyed by owners and admirers for generations to come.
To kickstart celebrations of 60 years of the E-type, E-Type UK is shining a light on some of its latest examples available in the showroom.
1965 SERIES 1 4.2 RHD FHC
Specifically upgraded with a larger engine and more luxurious interior to make it more suitable for the American market, the Series 1 4.2 is one of the most desirable E-type models in today’s market. This particular 1965 fixed-head coupe, with only three owners spanning across the five decades of its lifetime, has been subject to a no-expense spared restoration by E-Type UK’s dedicated team of expert engineers, completed over three years.
Not a traditional restoration, the client approached E-Type UK with the challenge of building a bespoke and modified classic, reliable enough to be driven in today’s daily traffic. Treated with a raft of upgrades by E-Type UK, this car is now fitted with a bespoke fuel injected straight-six to ‘fast road specification’ and an upgraded five-speed gearbox. With grooved and vented front disc brakes and AP Racing four-pot calipers, as well as adjustable shocks and coilovers and a full stainless-steel sports exhaust system, this car is an authentic blend of modern performance and period character.
For everyday creature comforts, the car has also been treated to air conditioning, power steering, and a period-look radio with MP3 connectivity to bring it up to 21st century standards.
Finished in Jaguar’s heritage colours, Dark Blue with Oxblood Red interior, this performance Coupe has been sparingly used and stored since its restoration – making it the perfect car for any E-type enthusiast.
1961 SERIES 1 3.8 LHD ROADSTER
The 407th left-hand-drive chassis to roll off the production line in 1961, this E-type roadster has been expertly restored to its former glory offering a fantastic early ‘60s example. The highly sought-after model has many of the desirable features that E-type aficionados look for: a ‘flat floor’ body, original 3.8 litre straight-six – regarded by many as the greatest engine of all time – welded bonnet louvres, Pumpkin Orange cylinder head, polka dot aluminium centre console and butler rear light. However, the E-type also comes equipped a host of reliability upgrades including a new aluminium radiator and power steering, ensuring it performs even better than it did 60 years ago.
Finished in period correct Gunmetal over Red, this eye-catching model possesses a rich motoring history on the other side of the Atlantic. A truly exemplary model of an early Flat Floor Series 1, Chassis 407 is presented in pristine condition, representing the perfect opportunity to own one of the purest possible examples of this automotive icon.
1965 SERIES 1 4.2 RHD FHC
This highly desirable original right-hand classic is certain to turn heads with its heritage Carmen Red and Black trim colour scheme. Prior to undergoing an E-Type UK restoration in 2016, this very usable model had been cherished by its previous owners.
Today the example has been built for use, treated to an engine rebuild of its original 4.2 litre straight-six and 4-speed manual gearbox, ensuring consistent reliability. During the work, the engine bay was completely stripped, the ancillaries cleaned, a new wiring loom installed and the carburettors were completely rebuilt.
Setting up the car for years of happy motoring, E-Type UK also completely stripped and media blasted the bodyshell, removing and repairing areas of corrosion, fitting new sills, floor sections and rear outer wings in the process.
For a subtle performance upgrade, four-piston front brakes, electronic ignition and uprated cooling were also added to bring a series of performance and reliability upgrades desired by potential owners in the modern day.
Covering less than 1300 miles in the last three years and complete with a detailed history documenting its restoration, this Series 1 remains box fresh and has plenty of life left to be enjoyed by its next enthusiast.
E-Type UK offers immaculately restored cars with a perfectionist’s touch. It’s also among the digital leaders in the classic car world, adding modern content to a vintage world with a series of engaging videos on its cars and processes.
If you’d like to browse E-Type UK’s stock, see it here.