2022-01-20 13:42:37 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

themarket.co.uk/en/listings/jaguar/e-type-s1-fhc-22/411df453-7314-4d53-9b63-8bf2 ...

Seller's description:

Location: The Market HQ, Abingdon, United Kingdom

Seller Type: Trade

Odometer Reading: tbc

Chassis Number: 1E76667BW

Engine: 4235

Gearbox: Manual

Steering position: RHD

Colour: Metallic Blue

Interior: Red Leather

Estimated Price: £55,000 - £70,000

This 4.2-litre Series 1 E-Type rolled down the production line in 1967. Its left-hand-drive configuration saw it dispatched to America, where it remained until it was repatriated some five years ago. After 50 years of use it was looking somewhat tired.

On returning to the UK, the car was subjected to a full rebuild, which was completed in March of last year. The DVLA then issued it with its first UK registration document.

The observant amongst you will already have noticed that the steering wheel is now on the correct side, easy enough to alter when you are taking a car back to a bare shell.

This was no amateur restoration, the work being carried out by Rushton Engineering in Devon. They have been rebuilding E-Types since 1987 and a quick trawl of their website, reveals the bold claim as to the quality of their work:

“Our normal restorations are aimed at an as new standard but are always better. We can restore to the exact factory specification, fit subtle upgrades or simply use modern technology to enhance your driving experience.”

The car’s owner did choose some sensible additions, the aim being to make the E-Type more usable in the real world.

Better brakes, a five-speed gearbox and the fitment of air conditioning are amongst the jobs completed whilst the bare metal restoration was being carried out. All very worthwhile in our opinion.

The car’s owner enjoyed the car over two summers, but after not using it as much as he had hoped, he sold the car on to our trade seller, on whose behalf we act.

This E-Type is undoubtedly one of the best of its type that we have driven and wants for nothing as far as we can tell except for a new owner. Are you that person?

On the Outside

When you are taking a car back to bare metal, as was the case here, you are not restricted to colour. As can be seen in our photographs, the Jag was originally white, and although this colour has seen a resurgence in recent years, it does nothing for an E-Type.

The decision was made to repaint in a rather fetching shade of blue, a colour much better at showing off the car’s curvaceous shape.

We are told the restoration took some considerable time, Rushtons clearly wanting to make a good on their promise to rebuild better than new.

If you choose you inspect the panel gaps, you will find these are millimetre perfect and undoubtedly better than those created on a 1960s production line.

The paint finish is excellent, with all bodywork issues comprehensively dealt with whilst the car was apart. Pictures at the end of our photo gallery show the work in progress.

It’s hard to find any area of paintwork to criticise, but because we always look very hard, we have spotted a small area of poor paintwork on the rainwater channel over the leading edge of the driver’s door.

Chrome wire wheels have been fitted. Would any E-Type look right without them? Each has been fitted with an Avon tyre, all with plenty of tread. We would expect nothing less.

We are told that the car’s extensive chrome was either completely replaced or redone. We can’t tell which is which, safe to say it’s all very, very shiny!

The care and attention to detail is simply breath-taking and this is a car that needs to be seen in the metal to truly appreciate.

On the Inside

The same level of care and attention has been given to the interior. The red leather seats are supple, supportive and smell divine. It adds to the sensual experience that driving an E-Type is all about.

Period correct gauges present a raft of useful information to the driver and what could be nicer than a spindly wood steering wheel. There is a delicacy to the controls that is now missing from modern cars.

It is not only the seats that have had a retrim, door cards, dash and centre console have all been lavished with attention. A quality specialist can be thanked for this.

The boot has been retrimmed too and is ready to receive a modicum of luggage. The E-Type coupe is surprisingly practical, so no need to travel light on those weekends away.

There are also some notable upgrades. Air conditioning makes sense, ideal for those warm summer days. We are told it doesn’t blow that cold, so may be in need of some attention.

The period looking radio hides a secret. It is actually a modern DAB unit in disguise, so no crackly old MW to suffer here.

And last, but by no means least, drop your hand from the delightful wood-rimmed steering wheel and it will fall upon the gear stick, with the power to now control five forward gears for more relaxed high-speed cruising.

Underneath

Whilst undergoing restoration, the E-Type was fitted with new sections of floor. Look at the pictures and you can see the standard of workmanship.

Also worth looking at are the pictures of the car’s underside where a plethora of new parts are there to behold. New stainless steel exhaust, suspension components, brakes….. the list goes on. The latter were upgraded to Fosseway vented 4-pot discs.

The engine did not escape the restoration. It was rebuilt, having the valve guides and seals renewed. New high tensile studs were fitted too.

The engine compartment is a delight and again the long list of new and reconditioned parts are easy to see.

The car drives beautifully, just as one would expect when restored by specialists to the highest of standards.

History Highlights

Sadly, we cannot tell you about all the amazing adventures this E-Type had whilst on the other side of the Atlantic.

The conversion to right-hand drive was clearly worthwhile and as the pictures show, the car has been completely taken apart, repaired, parts replaced or refurbished where appropriate.

A labour of love by a team of dedicated specialists and a careful owner the past two years.

Let us also not forget the subtle improvements that have been made, all of which are designed to improves the way the car drives and the overall ownership experience.