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Jaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Semi-Lightweight Roadster

Jaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Semi-Lightweight RoadsterJaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Semi-Lightweight RoadsterJaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Semi-Lightweight RoadsterJaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Semi-Lightweight RoadsterJaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Semi-Lightweight Roadster
Jaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Semi-Lightweight RoadsterJaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Semi-Lightweight RoadsterJaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Semi-Lightweight RoadsterJaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Semi-Lightweight RoadsterJaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Semi-Lightweight Roadster
Jaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Semi-Lightweight RoadsterJaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Semi-Lightweight RoadsterJaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Semi-Lightweight RoadsterJaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Semi-Lightweight RoadsterJaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Semi-Lightweight Roadster
Lot number 96
Hammer value £46,000
Description Jaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Semi-Lightweight Roadster
Registration AGS 858D
Year 1966
Colour White/Red
Engine size 4,235 cc
Chassis No. 1E12640

Even though we have now had 50 years to get used to it, there is something so right and so perfect about the shape of the original E-Type Jaguar that it’s power to stop the world in its tracks has still not been diminished. With a top speed of 150mph and at least as good as any contemporary Aston or Ferrari, it's only because Jaguar sold so many of them that mere mortals like you and I can realistically think of owning one today, although prices have been on a steady upwards march for several years now.

The best looking and most desirable of all the E-Type variants is the Series One Roadster, as here. Fitted with the larger, torquier, 265bhp 4.2 litre engine with triple 2" SU carbs, these are genuinely quick cars even by today’s standards, yet remain easy to live with and maintain (unlike Italian exotica) with all parts readily available and a whole army of specialists to look after them.

This 1966 E-Type Series One 4.2 Roadster was totally rebuilt in 2000-2001 by Motorvation of Herts in the style of the Briggs Cunningham lightweight racers. Based on a rot-free American import and converted to right-hand drive, some £60,000 was lavished on the car to make it suitable for competition use, as many bills on file make clear. Features include an outside-latch bonnet with additional Le Mans style driving lamps; alloy bootlid with vent; lightweight door panels; Monza fuel filler; 30-gallon alloy/foam safety fuel tank; plumbed in fire extinguisher system; D-Type alloy wheels and removable glassfibre hardtop with roof vent.

The interior features black leather seats with removable Willans safety harnesses; works-style alloy dashboard with additional instruments, tripmeter and clocks; Motolita steering wheel; alloy foot pedals and ignition cut-off switch.

Mechanically the car has been considerably upgraded with a rebuilt, lightened and balanced 4.2-litre engine featuring Omega pistons, Carillo con rods, big-valve cylinder head, fast road cams, triple Weber carbs, tubular exhaust manifold, alloy radiator and fluid tanks, Kenlowe fans and a dry sump lubrication system. Power is transmitted via an all-synchro 5-speed Toyota Supra gearbox which gives rifle-bolt changes.

Brakes have been uprated to Coopercraft spec with additional cooling ducts, while the Koni-damped suspension is uprated and adjustable for track or fast road use. On completion the car successfully competed in the Classic Marathon between Ypres in Belgium and Cortina in the Dolomites, finishing third in class and seventh overall, and in the 2003 Poppy Rally in Belgium, running faultlessly.

In 2006 it was acquired by well-known musician and car nut, Jools Holland, who spent another £13,000 having the car tuned and fettled for track use by historic Jaguar racecar specialists, CKL Developments of East Sussex, including track time at Goodwood to set the car up properly. A CD of images and many invoices detail the work carried out at this time.

The current vendor acquired the car in September 2009 and had it converted to fast road use with slightly raised suspension and a more road-friendly state of tune. It was also waxoiled throughout, the FIA roll cage removed and road-legal exhaust silencers fitted. The car puts out around 285bhp and is said to drive superbly with excellent oil pressure and temperature at all times – it certainly fired up instantly and ran beautifully on the occasion of our visit to take these photos. It is only reluctantly being sold because the vendor now spends much of his time abroad and does not get the chance to use the car as it deserves.

Currently on SORN but due to have a fresh MOT before the sale, this wonderful recreation has only covered some 5,600 miles since it was built 12 years ago. With fabulous looks and performance, it is being offered here at a fraction of the costs lavished on it to date.
 

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