Jaguar E-Type S2 4.2 FHC

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Although die-hard E-Type aficionados will always claim that the Series 1 is the car to have, in the real world there is no doubt that the Series 2, launched 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 4,857 Series 2 two-seat fixed head coupes were made in total (over two-thirds in LHD) before it was replaced by the V12-powered Series 3 in late 1970.

As the accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms, this particular S2 Coupe was manufactured in late August 1970 and despatched to British Leyland, New York, the following month. British Racing Green with a Cinnamon interior, it was eventually brought back to the UK in October 1989 at which point it had some 62,900 miles on the clock, a total which has now risen to 66,800 and is believed (but not warranted) to be the genuine mileage covered from new, the original engine being still fitted to the car.

It had just one Leicester owner between 1989 and 2012 but was mainly kept in storage throughout this period, covering just a couple of hundred miles. In May 2012 it was acquired by another owner who treated it to a substantial restoration over the next two years at Cotswold Classic Car Restorations of Cirencester.

This included a full repaint in the original BRG; new green tinted glass all round; new headlights and tail-lights; new door seals and window rubbers; new exterior chromework; an interior retrim in Sage Green by Skinners of Cirencester with new seat foams, seat belts, carpets etc; new uprated brake calipers, discs, master cylinder, servo etc; ITG free-flow air filter conversion; new SU carburettors; new 6 x 15 72-spoke chrome wire wheels with new 205/70VR Avon tyres; Evans waterless coolant plus numerous other items.

In February 2014 a new Tremec T5 5-speed gearbox was fitted (almost £3,500 for the parts alone) along with a new clutch kit and many new engine seals and gaskets. Electric power steering was also fitted to the steering column, a useful enhancement that makes parking and low speed manoeuvring a doddle.

More recently a Kenlowe fan has been fitted along with Pertronix electronic ignition and new HT leads and plugs; a new alternator; new clutch master and slave cylinders; lightened and balanced flywheel; new silicone coolant and heater hoses; braided stainless steel brake hoses; Halogen headlamps; battery cut-off switch; full geometry set-up; carbs rebuilt with new needles by Trafford Competition Engines plus numerous other improvements.

As you would expect the car is now in very good order throughout and the many thoughtful upgrades mean that this is a thoroughly sorted E-Type that drives like a much more modern car and is eminently capable of daily use. Last year it completed an extensive tour of France and the Pyrenees, the vendor reporting that it performed faultlessly throughout.

Supplied with a large file of bills documenting the works carried out, an owner’s handbook and an MOT until October 2016, it also comes with the original gearbox if desired, although this will need to be collected from Oxfordshire. Altogether a wonderfully improved and upgraded 'matching numbers' E-Type that any enthusiast would love to have in their garage.