Jaguar E-Type S2 4.2 FHC

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

To die-hard collectors, an early 'flat-floor' Series 1 E-Type is rated as the one to have, but it is only a realistic ownership prospect if you have very deep pockets and, ideally, commensurately short legs!

In reality, it was extremely cramped and only comfortable if its driver stood no more than 5'6" in their bare-feet. Improved shortly after launch, the Series 1 soon got a lowered floor section which improved matters no end, although it was still a squeeze for most drivers. The reality is that a good Series 2, which was unvelied in October 1968, is the better car to drive.

Visually distinguished by its slightly higher, uncowled front headlights, wider ‘mouth’ at the front and different tail lights, it had twin fans for better cooling, an all-synchro gearbox, better seats, better brakes, improved switchgear and slightly more room in the cabin.

Power still came from the same magnificent 265bhp 4.2-litre triple-carb XK engine which endowed the car with a top speed in excess of 130mph. Just 1,071 Series 2 fixed head coupes were made in right-hand drive before it was replaced by the V12-powered Series 3 in late 1970.

The previous owner of this 1971 UK-supplied manual Series 2 Coupe purchased the car in 1982 by which time it had covered 50,160 miles. A string of subsequent MOTs indicates that it has spent much of its life in hibernation, the vendor being confident that the current reading of 63,070 miles is genuine.

It received a major body restoration in 1988 by P&K Thornton, which included a brand new bonnet, sills, boot floor, door skins and front floors, the bill amounting to over £5,500. There is evidence of many staged payments on file, including a period of storage afterwards. There is a further (large) bill for post-storage rectification, again by Thornton, dated 1992.

The vendor acquired the car in April 2009 and although it had an MOT, he felt that it probably shouldn’t have! An aircraft engineer by trade, he spent the next two years bringing the car up to scratch, including a carburettor overhaul, distributor rebuild and replacement exhaust manifolds and studs which are mated to a full stainless steel system. He then gave the car a thorough rust treatment to all of the panels and box sections with ACF50 Anti Corrosion Fluid, a process which has been repeated several times.

He has fitted a new ‘quick’ steering rack with poly mounts, all new steering ball joints and track rod ends plus replacement universal joints to the steering shaft. Braided brake hoses are fitted all round, along with a solid state fuel pump, new engine hose set, new heater fan motor and replacement foam seat bases.

Most of the switch bodies were then rebuilt using the original (aged) switch rockers to blend into the nicely patinated dashboard. Finally the car was capped off with a set of gorgeous replica D-Type Dunlop road wheels fitted with 'period' high-profile tyres.

Back on the road in 2012, this fine looking, low mileage car has had four previous owners and is due to carry a fresh MOT by the time of the sale. We are advised by the vendor that it is in sound and usable condition, although could do with a respray as there is micro-blistering on the bodywork.

This looks like the perfect candidate to enjoy and use over the summer, while planning a repaint over the winter months so that it emerges in tip-top condition next year.