1970 Jaguar E-Type Series 2 2+2
Discussion
Hello All
I wanted to introduce my new (to me) Jaguar E-Type 2+2 - an original UK RHD car with the 4.2 litre engine and manual gearbox.
Built on 1st June 1970 and first registered in August of that year.
I’ve been on quite a journey in the last few years trying to find that impossible blend of classic, fun and family practical! Having started with BMW E30s, I soon entered the world of air cooled 911s and even had a 912, before moving onto a little Pug 205, a BMW E12 M535i, VW T25 and finally a Lancia Fulvia. Well - there was even a BMW i8 at some point during lockdown 1. All fun in their own ways but never really hit the mark.
Enter the E-Type. I’d never ever considered one - too much of a stereotypical classic car, and I’d always assumed they were out of my price range. However, when taking a look at an Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint last weekend at Justin Banks, I laid eyes on an E-Type in the corner that he had just sold to a client. Justin is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to classics of that era and after a long chat, and having had the opportunity to sit in the car he had just sold, I was dead set on finding myself an E-Type.
24 hours later - having just put my two year old toddler to bed, I was careering down the M3 to Fleet to view my first E-Type. It had been on Car and Classic for about 3 weeks and was priced in the mid-40s so I was a little apprehensive I’d be looking at a restoration project.
From the moment I laid eyes on the car - in Cotswolds blue - I was sold. The story goes that it was purchased by a Mr. Cooper of Ascot in 1973 (no history prior to this point) who used it up until 65,000 miles before putting it away in his garage in 1989. In 2018, it was purchased by the owner I purchased it from, and mechanically recommissioned.
It’s very original and incredibly well preserved. It has a lovely patina about it. The owner I purchased it from was a mechanic himself so spent much of his time during the various lockdowns tiding it up, stripping and rebuilding the carbs, refurbishing the alternator, recondition the leather - so that it drives and presents incredibly well now.
HPC Classics in Eastbourne - my favourite classic garage - came up and inspected it during the week, arriving at a very short list of items that needed doing. Primarily, refreshing the fuel and brake lines, replacing the rear discs and pads, and replacing the 33 year old tyres, but all in all, I think they too were blown away by its originality. The engine is as smooth as a sewing machine and has wonderful compression across all 6 cylinders - testament to Jaguar’s build quality in that era.
HPC will carry out all of these items out in the next few weeks but for now, it is safely parked in my underground parking space under its Classic Additions cover.
I’ve not had a proper drive in it on my own yet as I thought I’d wait for the servicing items to be done - but when I do, I’ll be sure to provide an update on here detailing my first impressions of how she goes!
Thanks for reading and enjoy the photos.
Nick
I wanted to introduce my new (to me) Jaguar E-Type 2+2 - an original UK RHD car with the 4.2 litre engine and manual gearbox.
Built on 1st June 1970 and first registered in August of that year.
I’ve been on quite a journey in the last few years trying to find that impossible blend of classic, fun and family practical! Having started with BMW E30s, I soon entered the world of air cooled 911s and even had a 912, before moving onto a little Pug 205, a BMW E12 M535i, VW T25 and finally a Lancia Fulvia. Well - there was even a BMW i8 at some point during lockdown 1. All fun in their own ways but never really hit the mark.
Enter the E-Type. I’d never ever considered one - too much of a stereotypical classic car, and I’d always assumed they were out of my price range. However, when taking a look at an Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint last weekend at Justin Banks, I laid eyes on an E-Type in the corner that he had just sold to a client. Justin is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to classics of that era and after a long chat, and having had the opportunity to sit in the car he had just sold, I was dead set on finding myself an E-Type.
24 hours later - having just put my two year old toddler to bed, I was careering down the M3 to Fleet to view my first E-Type. It had been on Car and Classic for about 3 weeks and was priced in the mid-40s so I was a little apprehensive I’d be looking at a restoration project.
From the moment I laid eyes on the car - in Cotswolds blue - I was sold. The story goes that it was purchased by a Mr. Cooper of Ascot in 1973 (no history prior to this point) who used it up until 65,000 miles before putting it away in his garage in 1989. In 2018, it was purchased by the owner I purchased it from, and mechanically recommissioned.
It’s very original and incredibly well preserved. It has a lovely patina about it. The owner I purchased it from was a mechanic himself so spent much of his time during the various lockdowns tiding it up, stripping and rebuilding the carbs, refurbishing the alternator, recondition the leather - so that it drives and presents incredibly well now.
HPC Classics in Eastbourne - my favourite classic garage - came up and inspected it during the week, arriving at a very short list of items that needed doing. Primarily, refreshing the fuel and brake lines, replacing the rear discs and pads, and replacing the 33 year old tyres, but all in all, I think they too were blown away by its originality. The engine is as smooth as a sewing machine and has wonderful compression across all 6 cylinders - testament to Jaguar’s build quality in that era.
HPC will carry out all of these items out in the next few weeks but for now, it is safely parked in my underground parking space under its Classic Additions cover.
I’ve not had a proper drive in it on my own yet as I thought I’d wait for the servicing items to be done - but when I do, I’ll be sure to provide an update on here detailing my first impressions of how she goes!
Thanks for reading and enjoy the photos.
Nick
Spinakerr said:
Congratulations on what looks to be a fantastic purchase - the colour is spectacula but that engine is a wonder!
I too am keen on a 2600 Sprint, athough I have seen the one at Justin Banks before, and it doesnt look to have improved much in the intervening time...
No - the last chap that bought it just sat on it and has now PX’d it against something else from what I understand.I too am keen on a 2600 Sprint, athough I have seen the one at Justin Banks before, and it doesnt look to have improved much in the intervening time...
I would describe it as a rolling restoration. You’d be able to enjoy it this summer if you knew your way about these cars but I think there’s work to do on it over time.
As I said - I think he has priced it fairly, given that nice examples seem to go for 40-50k.
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