Jaguar E-Type S2 2+2 Automatic

Launched in March 1961 the E-Type took the world by storm. It was not just the looks that made everyone sit up though. ‘The Motor’ magazine tested an early E-Type at 149mph – a truly extraordinary achievement for a road car in 1961. 

The Series 1 was upgraded to 4.2 litres in 1964, and a stretched 2+2 added to the range in 1966 with an extra 9” added to the chassis, longer doors to aid getting in and out and a more vertical windscreen which gave valuable added headroom – if you are much over 6 foot, you just won’t get in a standard two-seater E-Type Coupe! It was also available with an automatic gearbox.

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 plus twin fans for better engine cooling. These cars can also be identified by their ribbed cam covers and rocker switches which replaced the toggles which fell foul of the US safety legislation. During the life-span of the Series 2, some 5,326 were produced as 2+2s with most destined for export markets.

This particular Series 2 2+2 dates from 1970 and has the automatic gearbox which makes city driving much more pleasant. Originally a US market car, it was returned to the UK in 1994 and has had just three owners since, the current vendor having owned it for the last six years.

About 12 years ago it was treated to a very substantial restoration which reputedly cost over £20,000 with many bills on file. This included fitting many new panels including a new bonnet, plus a new fuel tank and a new speedo. The engine and gearbox had reputedly been rebuilt in the late 1990s but the bills for this could not immediately be located when we inspected the car’s history file prior to the sale.

In 2005 the brakes and suspension were rebuilt and new engine and gearbox mountings fitted at a cost of some £1,500 (bills on file). There are also many bills for routine servicing since then. The car has only covered some 20,000 miles since the restoration was completed and it is said to drive very well with an MOT until May 2013. It certainly performed nicely when we were treated to a short test drive with a particularly sweet-sounding engine with excellent oil pressure.

Looking very smart in Old English White with a lovely red leather interior, this most practical and usable E-Type is being offered here at the price of a modest family hatchback – we know which we would prefer!