2008-06-17 15:53:16 | pete vickers writes:

would like to find any previous owners----was first registered to a Mr G.S.Wheeler of Colchester Essex an had a reg number of VVW 1

2022-03-17 11:23:07 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:

themarket.bonhams.com/en/listings/jaguar/e-type-series-15/5538a516-5e24-44e7-a4b ...

Auction description:

Location: The Market HQ, Abingdon, United Kingdom

Seller Type: Private

Chassis Number: 1E50969

Engine: 4235

Gearbox: manual

Steering position: RHD

Colour: Primrose Yellow

Interior: Black Leather

Estimated Price: £55,000 - £85,000

We are delighted to be offering for sale a beautiful Series 1 E Type FHC. Produced in 1967, this striking car was delivered to its first owner, a Mr GS Wheeler, from Colchester in Essex, in June of that year. What a wonderful summer he must have had, showing off his pride and joy.

The car has had six previous keepers and our seller acquired the car some three months or so ago from its long-term owner, a gentleman who lavished it with care and attention, not to mention a good deal of cash.

The car was then the subject of extensive and expensive recommissioning by the long-established Alan Carrington Classic Cars Ltd. of Maidstone in Kent, where every little issue was addressed. This matching numbers car wants for nothing but a loving new owner, ready to enjoy during the forthcoming summer as Mr Wheeler did some 55 years ago. It could be you!

On the Outside

Primrose yellow, a lovely colour which we think suits the E Type rather well, helping to accentuate the curvaceous bodywork. The condition will impress, the paintwork positively sparkles.

We would mention that the car has recently seen the inside of a bodyshop where some light scraping to the passenger door, rear wheel arch and lower rear quarter were professionally repaired. Also repaired were a small dent in the driver’s door and offside rear wing. The work has been done to a high standard, with the whole car getting a cut and polish to finish.

Panel gaps are worthy of mention. About as good as you will ever find on an E Type.

Polished wire wheels finish the car off rather nicely and each is fitted with a Dunlop SP Sport tyre, all with plenty of tread. Matching premium rubber is usually a good sign of careful and considered classic car ownership.

The extensive chromework all looks to be in fine order, just stock up on chrome cleaner and keep up the good work.

On the Inside

Black leather, what else, adorns the seats. The front pews have definitely been retrimmed and look lovely, with just some gentle creasing that comes with age and wear. Most notable is some slight damage to the driver’s seat bolster, the usual place.

The rear seats may well be the originals, as let’s face it they are only likely to have been used for carrying children or extra luggage. They are a little more ‘lived in’.

Carpets are in good order, just a little grubby. Nothing a good vacuum won’t sort out.

Opening that famous side-hinged tailgate reveals a decent size load space, with room for plenty of luggage should a touring holiday be on the cards. There are some marks here and there commensurate with objects sliding around over the years.

Some of the trim under the boot floor looks a little jaded and could be tidied up. There’s a full-size spare wheel, always useful should the worse happen. There doesn’t appear to be any tools, so that should be an early purchase.

Underneath

Sitting proud under that long bonnet is Jaguar’s powerful 4.2-litre engine. It starts on the button and we are told pulls strongly in all the gears. It’s a fast car, even by today’s standard, so every journey will be an exhilarating drive.

It was extensively tested by Carrington Classics, who covered some 325 miles without incident. They report complete confidence in the car and would be happy to drive it anywhere.

The engine had a full rebuild in 1996 by JD Classics, the then owner picking up the hefty bill in the sum of £11,777.03. The clutch was changed at the same time. Since then, the E Type has covered just 13,000 miles, so nicely run in.

We have included a selection of photographs of the car’s underside, and it all looks pretty shipshape to us. Lots of underseal, and you will spot a raft of new suspension components amongst other things.

We would mention that the paint on the rear valance is a little poor in places.

History Highlights

A huge selection of old MoT certificates accompanies the car, the earliest dating from 1990. They document the car’s modest mileage since that time.

The car was tested last month, and it passed with no advisories. Looking back at the online MoT history, the last minor blot on an otherwise almost perfect copybook was in 2009.

You will also find in amongst the paperwork the invoice for the aforementioned engine rebuild, which makes for interesting reading.

Extensive work on the car was carried out by Alan Carrington Classics last month and their bill for £17,584.87 can be viewed in the picture gallery. Amongst the work carried out:

Full inspection prior to light recommissioning

Drain and flush the brake system. Refill and bleed

Replace brake sender unit

2 new top ball joint rubber gaitors

New HT leads

New NGK spark plugs

Full service

Bodywork as previously mentioned

New radiator

Full valet to engine bay