1967 Jaguar E Type 2+2 series I, 4235 cc. Registration numbe...

Estimate

£50,000 - £60,000

1967 Jaguar E Type 2+2 series I, 4235 cc. Registration number OLY 333E. Chassis number 1E 50779. Body number 4E 52981. Engine number 7E 53001-9. Gearbox EJS 13403.
On its 1961 Geneva Show debut the E-Type caused a sensation. With all the promise of its looks confirmed by independent road test results, that not only recorded a 150mph top speed but also 0-60mph and 0-l00mph in 6.9 and 16.2 seconds respectively; fast indeed, and the match of any exotic thoroughbred then available, combined with superb road-holding and remarkable docility.
One of the greatest post-war sports cars, Jaguar's E-Type made immediate headlines on its launch in March 1961. Here was a sleek and beautiful 150mph car with a competition pedigree that could be bought for just over £2,000, almost half the cost of an Aston Martin or Ferrari. A direct descendant of the XK120 and competition C and D-Type models that so dominated fifties sports car racing, the E-Type shared its 265 bhp 3.8 litre twin-cam straight-six engine with the XK150 'S', mated to a Moss four-speed gearbox with synchromesh on the top three ratios.
Beneath the William Lyons/Malcolm Sayer-styled body, available in either closed or roadster form, the steel monocoque chassis sported all-independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes, mounted inboard at the back. When the 4.2-litre was introduced in October 1964 a more user-friendly all-synchromesh gearbox and superior Lockheed brake servo formed part of the improved specification together with the bigger, torquier engine. Apart from '4.2' badging, the car's external appearance was unchanged, but under the skin there were numerous detail improvements, chiefly to the electrical and cooling systems, and also to the seating arrangements. Top speed remained unchanged at around 150 mph, the main performance gain resulting from the larger engine being improved flexibility.
Motor magazine road tested a UK spec E-Type 4.2 in 1964. They summarized it as "The new 4.2 supersedes the early 3.8 as the fastest car Motor has tested. The absurd ease which 100 mph can be exceeded in a 1/4 mile never failed to astonish. 3,000 miles of testing confirms that this is still one of the world's outstanding cars."
This matching numbers, UK car has been owned by our vendor for some 37 years, being bought in October 1980 as the previous owner, a Brian Wilcockson of Hull wanted a boat; he had bought it whilst on holiday in Cornwall. Only some 974 right hand drive 2+2's were built, chassis numbers 1E50001 - 1E50974, this being the 779th.
Originally believed to be cream in colour it was already Carmen Red when purchased and painted again in the late 1980's, since when little has been done to it apart from general maintenance; a clutch, radiator, oil pump, and bottom end bearings were fitted in early 1990's due to the oil pressure dropping off (turned out to be a faulty gauge), the rear sub frame has been stove enamelled and a stainless steel exhaust was fitted in 2016.
OLY wears his original mileage of 95,320 well for an older restoration that has only had a believed three owners, not perfect or concours but very original, unmolested and useable as he is. The Webasto sunroof is factory fitted.
Sold with the V5C, various old receipts and MOT history back to 2011.