Jaguar E-Type S1 2+2 4.2 Coupe

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In October 1964 Jaguar announced a new engine for their beautiful E-Type. While demand still remained ahead of supply, it was felt to be the right moment to refresh the car with a 4.2-litre version of their charismatic straight-six twin-cam masterpiece.

Torque increased from 240 to 283 lbs/ft, maximum power remaining the same at 265bhp albeit at slightly lower revs. The original, rather ‘crunchy’ Moss gearbox gained synchromesh on all gears, the updates making the car easier to drive with no loss of performance. In fact when Autocar tested a Coupe in May 1965, top speed was up to 153mph – easily the fastest thing they had driven to date.

In 1966, the range was further expanded with the addition of a 2+2, adding a usable set of rear seats thanks to an extra 9” in the wheelbase. The screen became more upright to allow sufficient headroom in the rear and an automatic gearbox was made available on this model only as an option. Some 3,616 Series 1 2+2s were made, around 13% of production.

This UK-supplied matching numbers RHD example was purchased by the vendor in 2009 having just received a ground-up bare metal restoration. The Heritage Certificate shows that its manufacture date was 1st September 1966 and it was dispatched to distributors Henlys of London on 18th October of that year. They passed it to Pembury Car Sales in Kent who registered it JKJ 383E on behalf of Mr B Best of Heathfield, Sussex. Ordered in Carmen Red with black upholstery it was built with a manual gearbox.

Mr Best kept the car until 2006 when he sold it to a Mr Coleman. He undertook a thorough bare metal restoration, keeping the car until 2009 before passing it to the vendor, thus it has had just three owners during its 48-year lifespan.

A substantial history file accompanies the car showing that during its rebuild a new floor was fitted (supplied by Martin Robey Panels) along with new subframe mounts and footwells. It was repainted in Jaguar Carmen Red, all seals were replaced along with all brakes, suspension arms and mountings, a reconditioned radiator and new carpets and headlining. Photographs on file detail the extensive amount of work carried out.

A photograph supplied from its original owner shows the car in what looks to be the early 1970s. In this picture, its current Series 2 bonnet had already been fitted, its two subsequent owners choosing to keep this item which has been on the car for at least 40 years.

This well presented low owners example is MOTd until November 2015 and is only being sold to help fund an extensive (and expensive) house renovation project and needs nothing more than a new fourth owner to to enjoy and preserve it for future generations.