E Type Series 1 Roadster

The yellow S1 is a relatively new edition to the fleet. A rather unintentional buy as I had decided to cheer myself up, around my birthday time, either with an XK120 fixed head or an S1 E Type. After a bit of investigation of both models, I found an excellent XK and so the idea of having an E was more or less abandoned.

However, trawling through the E Type want ads, just out of interest, I spotted what looked like a promising car. It’s interesting to note that from the many Es on the market I could find only half-a-dozen S1 4.2 litre roadsters. There were plenty of 3.8 cars and a lot of 4.2 fixed heads but as I say, very few 4.2 roadsters. I had already investigated three of the cars for sale and had been disappointed on each occasion. As  the car in question was close to home, I didn’t think I had much to lose by taking a look.

The  E Type  was with a dealer on consignment and when we spoke on the phone I got the usual spiel, ‘great car in lovely condition, can’t be faulted’.  When pressed, he maintained the line so I went to look. It was as good as he said. So rather against the odds and against my dwindling bank balance I  acquired a six-cylinder E to go with my twelve.

The Covid epidemic and the poor weather meant thet she didn’t get used for  quite a while.  based on the little she has been used however, I have to admit, she seems as good as she looks.

I now know a bit more of the unusual history. The Jaguar came from California as a two owner car in 2011 and  put up for sale with just 47K miles on the clock. It was bought by a   couple of investors in partnership who set about using well  qualified  specialists for a comprehensive restoration. After dismantling, the components  were farmed out. The body, engine/gearbox and rear suspension cage  were sent to different specialists, I assume to have all the work done at the same time. The investors then hired the services of an E  Type  mechanic to reconstruct the car. The completed project was sent to a trimmer for a bespoke re-trim.

The guys placed it with a specialist E Type trader for sale at, what was rather a high price. When it failed to sell after only a short time, they took  it back  Based on unrelated circumstances  the partners then separated their business interests  and the car was  put into storage ; that was in 2015. It wasn’t until near the end of 2020 that they decided to place the car with the dealer from whom I bought it.

The E is now a firm favourite with my youngest daughter Lizzie who drove her to Brooklands with  her sister Jo for the 100 year SS/Jaguar celebrations, and has showed  the E at a couple of events.

The restoration seems very good indeed with clean shut lines and flawless paint.

Clean Engine bay, not over-bulled

Decent looking rear

The rear sub frame has been dropped and sent to a specialist for complete reconditioning.

Bespoke trimmed interior

6” triple laced 72 spoke wires

Left: E Type, Lizzie and Jo dressed up for the Jaguar 100 gala dinner at Broollands.

Right; the same pair at the Goodwood Member’s Meeting.