Jaguar E-Type S2 4.2 2+2 Coupe Automatic

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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.

As the accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms, this original right-hand drive E-Type 2+2 Automatic was built in early June 1970 and sold new via Kennings of Shrewsbury to first owner Major Reginald Waugh Harris of Pontesford House, Shropshire, on 9th July 1970. [Serving with the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry in WW2, Harris was a talented jockey and racehorse owner, completing the 1947 Grand National on his own horse, Toyette, at odds of 100/1, coming home 11th out of 19 finishers and 57 starters].

Originally registered TAW 772J and finished in British Racing Green with a Suede Green interior, not much is known of the subsequent history of the car but it apparently spent many years in the Shropshire area before moving to Holland about 25 years ago where it was to remain until fairly recently. While in Holland we are told that it was restored by a Ferrari garage and put on display in their showroom, hence the colour change to red.

It then passed into private hands, the Dutch owners keeping it well maintained with various bills on file dating back to 1990, one for 2,500 Euros as recently as February 2015 – although you will need a good knowledge of Dutch to decipher the extent of the works carried out! Recently brought back to the UK, we are told that it has had much money spent on it to prepare it for sale, including a thorough service, a brake overhaul, overhaul of the carburettors, engine tune, new windscreen seal, new front bumper, various new suspension rubbers etc, although there are no bills for this.

Now registered XRH 91H, it sailed through its MOT in May 2015 with no advisories recorded at a mileage reading of 86,681 since when it has covered another 258 miles to settle everything in, reputedly driving very well indeed and cruising at three-figure speeds with ease (on private land of course, officer…).

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 times. This thoroughly sorted example looks most tempting at the sensible guide price suggested.