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.

Dating from 1969 this particular 2+2 Automatic spent its first 22 years in sunny California which accounts for its remarkable state of preservation. Brought back to the UK in 1991, it was converted to right-hand drive and also returned to full UK specification with triple SU carbs in place of the power-sapping US market Strombergs.

With just three UK owners since import, it has been in the current ownership for the last 8 years, averaging about 1,000 miles a year over that time. The vendor states that the car is in very good order throughout with particularly good bodywork and a smart black leather interior. Always well-maintained in the current ownership and said to drive beautifully, it was also treated to new rear brake discs fairly recently – a tricky job on these cars as E-Type owners will know.

Almost as handsome as the two-seater version but far more practical, the 2+2 is increasingly sought-after today and values have risen sharply in recent months. Due to be driven some 80 miles to the sale, this lovely example looks most tempting at the modest guide price suggested.