2006-08-16 09:10:01 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:
www.fantasyjunction.com/used-cars.php

Sellers description:
1966 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
s/n 1E12789, Engine Head No. 7E8488-9
Red with Tan Leather

This restored 4.2 litre E-Type has been the recipient of extensive upgrades that make the car more fun and usable than a stock E-type. The specification is extremely comprehensive, and includes a 5-speed gearbox, considerable suspension upgrades, and triple Weber carburetors.

Owned by its current owner since 1972, this car has been thoughtfully upgraded as it was restored. All documentation since 1983 is included, with literally hundreds of receipts. Most of the significant work was performed in the last seven years, including performance upgrades, stereo, and paint. The motor has been rebuilt with Carillo connecting rods and Aries pistons, and the cylinder head work was performed at Zootis Performance. There are also three Weber 45 carburetors fitted with K&N filters. The car has also been fitted with a Mallory ignition system and an alternator conversion- eliminating the often problematic generator. Finally, the car has a radiator from a Series II E-type, and twin electric cooling fans. A full stainless steel big-bore mandrel-bent exhaust system has also been fitted, including headers. The car was dyno-ed and produced 221hp and 289 ft-lbs of torque at the wheels, both extremely strong numbers. Even using a conservative conversion factor, this equates to 320 ft-lbs of torque at the flywheel!

These power figures, combined with the Borg Warner 5-speed gearbox, make the car extremely quick, yet easy to drive. Other upgrades to aid power delivery include an aluminium flywheel and extensive brake and suspension upgrades. The brake cylinders have been replaced, and a pair of 4-piston Wilwood brake calipers fitted to the front, along with stainless steel lines. The rear rotors are ventilated and stainless steel lines are fitted at the back as well. The suspension has numerous components from XK`s Unlimited, including torsion bars, torsion bar adjusters, springs, adjustable shock absorbers, and swaybars and endlinks with polyurethane bushings. The car also has been upgraded with power-assisted rack and pinion steering. The wheels are 7X15 inch Dayton wires with 225/60/15 Yokohama tires. A set of Minilights fitted with Hoosier slicks in the same dimensions is also included.

Other miscellaneous work includes a new XK`s Unlimited wiring harness, Optima red top battery, new bonnet, removable bolt-in roll bar, and an upgraded stereo with Nakamichi receiver and CD changer, and ADS components. The installation of the stereo and roll bar required modification to the carpet set, so a new uninstalled set is included. Other uninstalled bits include two boxes of spares and a luggage rack, several chrome pieces, and other items to bring the car closer to its stock appearance.

The resulting car is an absolute blast to drive. The difference between this and an unmodified E-Type is like night and day. It goes, stops, corners, and changes gear, like a completely different car. Mechanically, this car is sorted, and totally dialed in. The carburetors are correctly adjusted, the ride height, camber and toe correctly set, and the car feels extremely tight and solid. There are no rattles or squeaks, and the exhaust system sounds fantastic. This car was clearly built as a labor of love, and the result is stunning.

Cosmetically, the car is very nice. The paint is about six years old, and aside from a chip on the left front wheel arch, and a section of bubbling at the bottom of the right door, the paint is good. It is a fairly high quality job and the remainder of the bodywork is free from blemishes and corrosion. The lights and glass are all very good, and the chrome was replated and is very good with no major pitting or deterioration.

The interior is very good as well. The seat show some minor wear, but the console and door upholstery is excellent, as is the dash top. The dash itself is also very good, though the fuel, amperage, oil pressure, and water temperature gauges are later VDO items. The tachometer and speedometer are the correct Smiths types. The steering wheel is an aftermarket leather rimmed item. Sparco pedals have also been fitted.

The engine compartment is clean, but not detailed. The underside is extremely straight and solid, with no evidence of rust or rust repair, confirming its long-term California ownership period.

This car is an extremely unique opportunity to acquire a car that has been set up to be used and enjoyed. It will outhandle and outpace most of today`s traffic, and has also been upgraded in key areas to make it more reliable. The laborious research and fabrication to make this car a reality have already been performed, and all that remains is to drive it. It is further distinguished from other E-Types by its remarkable solidity. Instead of feeling fragile, it is completely solid, almost begging to be driven aggressively.