Jaguar E-Type S1 4.2 FHC

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 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.

According to the accompanying Heritage Certificate, KSM 212E was ordered by SMT Sales and Service in Dumfries. Although originally destined for a local Scottish owner, it was in fact delivered new to a Mr Lucas Lucas who lived near Meriden in Warwickshire. This 4.2-litre model was completed on 9th May 1967 and despatched 15 days later, specified with a manual gearbox, dark blue paintwork and a grey interior.

Mr Lucas Lucas was to keep the car right up until 1994, eventually passing it to a new custodian who was engaged in the E-Type restoration business. He liked the car so much that it remained in the family, eventually passing to the current vendor in 2009. During their tenure, a new bonnet was fitted in 1996, the family believing that the indicated mileage when they acquired the car was correct. The odometer now shows some 74,500 miles.

The current owner decided that after more than 40 years it was due an engine overhaul, entrusting the work to Graham Williams of Classic Engine who confirmed that the wear was entirely consistent with an engine having covered some 70,000 miles. It was stripped and re-bored and fitted with new pistons. The crank was given a ‘lick’ and new bearings fitted, whilst the head had the full treatment with new valves and guides. The total bill for this was around £5,000, the owner being extremely satisfied with the result. Subsequently a 123 ignition module has been fitted.

Looking superb with its dark blue paintwork and chrome wires, this matching numbers example retains excellent panel fit, a largely original interior and according to the vendor is as good underneath as it is on top. MOTd until June 2014, he describes it as mechanically excellent.

This model of E-Type, with its small mouth, headlight covers and toggle switches is by far the most appealing of the breed and in the view of the cataloguer, the FHC is the purest of them all. With effectively just three owners from new, this lovely and much cherished example deserves an equally caring fourth owner to preserve it for future generations to enjoy.