Jaguar E-Type S2 4.2 Coupe

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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 well 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 February 1970 and despatched to British Leyland, New York. Painted in traditional British Racing Green, it was eventually brought back to the UK in 1991 at which point it was showing 75,000 miles on the clock.

Repainted a lighter shade of metallic green, the vendor understands that it must have had new sills and work to the floors, probably at the same time as the respray as the new paint extends to these areas.

There is sadly no information about its US history, the comprehensive history file referring to its subsequent 25 years residence in the UK although the file does contain the original lubrication chart. On arrival back to these shores, it was converted to UK specification which included a change to RHD and a set of triple SU carburettors. The speedometer was also replaced at this time, the odometer showing that just 6,700 miles have been added since.

The document file includes 16 old MOTs which confirm its gentle use over the years as well as numerous bills and invoices showing regular service and maintenance. A bill for £1,400 in 2007 shows a retrim to the front seats and headrests while the rear luggage boards were replaced and retrimmed just 18 months ago. The car was fully serviced in 2014, again in 2015 which included rebuilding the carburettors with new jets and once more in February 2016 when it was last taken for its MOT, the front brake calipers being rebuilt with new pistons and new discs fitted at this time. It has also had a new set of five chrome wire wheels fitted in the recent past.

Clearly well maintained, this strong, usable example has proved extremely reliable, the vendor reporting that it has always been a pleasure to drive. There are a few areas of paintwork that are not quite up to scratch, although these do little to detract from the overall appeal of this attractive and desirable manual S2 E-Type FHC.