Jaguar E-Type S1 4.2 FHC

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Probably the most widely recognised car in the world, the Series 1 E-Type was a landmark in automotive styling and is the only car ever to have been acquired for its permanent collection by the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Styled by aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer, its jaw-dropping looks have left an indelible mark on the world of motoring, art and popular culture.

The owner of this stunning beast wasn’t content with the options available on Jaguar's original Coupe and Roadster models. He wanted an automatic, but wasn’t to be fobbed of with a 2+2, which was the only model in period to be so equipped. There was only one solution - he would have to build one himself.

He managed to acquire a 1965 UK supplied 4.2-litre RHD Coupe and undertook a nut and bolt refurbishment. Starting from the front, he replaced the engine frame and bonnet (at a cost of £5,000), installing a much more modern four-speed Jaguar ZF gearbox with contemporary ‘J’ gate (costing an additional £7,000). The work was carried out by automatic gearbox specialist Graham Whitehouse of Wolverhampton to a very high standard, the result being exactly as the owner had envisaged.

To make the driving experience even more pleasurable, a Vicarage power steering system was added and the front brakes upgraded with a kit produced by Coopercraft. The suspension was thoroughly overhauled and a set of stainless steel wire wheels fitted, shod with Pirelli P4000 tyres all round (with the exception of the spare).

The car was then given a fresh coat of Jaguar Indigo Blue paint while the interior was retrimmed with Oxblood leather upholstery and a West of England cloth headlining. A Blaupunkt Sevilla MP54 stereo hides a CD player and, according to the vendor, the only item which isn’t perhaps as it should be is the clock with can be a bit temperamental at times.

Once completed, it was set up and sorted by marque specialists CMC in Bridgnorth and has now covered some 5,800 miles since returning to the road. It is accompanied by a colossal file of invoices which the vendor is reluctant to add up (we can imagine why), the end result looking spectacular and driving beautifully. Its current MOT expires in August 2014 and it is taxed until July of this year.

Whether the new owner decides to enjoy the car exactly as it is, or revert to a manual box at some time in the future, the only immediate work on the horizon appears to be that pesky clock! In the meantime this is a car that is perfectly suited to modern day traffic conditions and is just begging to be driven and enjoyed. 

Quite apart from bringing enormous pleasure to its new owner, it will also brighten up the day of anyone lucky enough to see it prowling imperiously through lanes of humdrum modern traffic. A deeply desirable motorcar at a very sensible guide price.