Jaguar E-Type S1 2+2

History

It may be one of the most beautiful shapes in motoring history but the E-Type Series 1 fixed-head coupe does have one serious drawback – if you are much over 6-foot tall you just won't fit into it! The original car could also accommodate only two people so Jaguar addressed both these shortcomings in 1966 with the launch  of the 2+2. With a higher roofline and stretched by 9-inches, it was still powered by the same magnificent 265bhp XK 4.2 litre engine but now had enough room to squeeze in three passengers and a tall driver.

First registered in March 1967, this car comes in the particularly attractive colour combination of dark blue paint with a red leather interior. The owner rates the paintwork and panel fit as "excellent" and the interior as "not bad although the sun visors and some leatherette need attention". The car is said to have matching chassis and engine numbers and to drive very well indeed with good temperature and oil pressure (although the gauge for the latter mysteriously reads 80psi when it should be 40psi).

Invoices in the history file indicate that the engine and gearbox were overhauled in 1988 at a mileage of 49,989, since when the car has covered less than 10,000 miles. During the winter of 2004/5 the car was treated to a new fan motor, new header tank, complete set of silicone water hoses, new brake hoses, new ball joint gaiters and a full overhaul of the brake servo and the carburettors including new butterflies, spindles and bearings. In addition all the steering and suspension components were grit blasted and painted and the underside of the bonnet repainted.

The car comes complete with owner's, workshop and spare parts manuals, a fair amount of history and a fitted dust cover supplied by Holdens. Due to be driven 170 miles to the sale, this would appear to be an eminently useable example of the most practical E-Type of all.