Jaguar E-Type S2 Roadster

Launched in March 1961 the E-Type took the world by storm. William Lyons’ ability to design a car which looked just right was by then already legendary, however with the E-Type he surpassed even himself. It was not just the looks that made everyone sit up though. Autocar and Motor tested an early E-Type at 149mph – a truly extraordinary achievement for a road car in 1961. The first cars used the 3.8-litre engine from the XK 150S in a new chassis which carried torsion bar front suspension with an independent coil set up at the rear. It was also one of the first cars to use discs brakes all round which was entirely necessary given its remarkable performance. 

The Series 1 was upgraded to 4.2 litres in 1964, and a stretched 2+2 added to the range in 1966. The Series 2 was produced between 1969 and 1971. This featured a number of styling changes, including larger indicators and tail-lights and a larger 'mouth' at the front. These cars can also be identified by their ribbed cam covers and rocker switches which replaced the toggles which fell foul of US safety legislation. During the life span of the Series 2, 8628 were produced as open top roadsters with many destined for export markets.

HDA 824J spent the first part of its life in the US, being exported to British Leyland New York on 30th November 1970. By 1st August 1972 the car had already been repatriated, the date of its subsequent conversion to RHD remaining a mystery. It is also unclear as to whether the car was ever registered in the US - the Series 3 V12 was announced at about that time and sales of the Series 2 models became notoriously difficult.

During the 1990s it was the subject of a £30,000 restoration at which point it was painted its current Regency Red and trimmed in Magnolia hide.  Emerging from the restoration in 1996 with 23,451 miles showing on the odometer, only 6,500 miles have been added in the intervening years.  Jaguar specialist CMC undertook a further £10,000 worth of work which included the 5 speed gearbox conversion.  The current owner purchased the car from them in 2004 and has used it for light, local, dry miles.This most eye catching E-Type is exceptionally clean under the bonnet and comes with MOTs back to 1996, a Heritage Certificate, workshop manual, handbook, bills from CMC and is MOTd until April 2012.  It has also been fitted with a stainless steel exhaust and a mohair hood and tonneau. 

Amendment - Buyers should be aware that at some time in its life this car has been involved in an accident which has given it a category "C" insurance status (damaged, repairable) .