1967 Jaguar E Type S1 2+2

Our eye-catching example represents somewhat of a holy-grail car in E Type terms. It’s a right-hand drive, UK supplied and specified 2+2 Coupe with a manual transmission. It remains in a highly original condition and specification despite clearly having enjoyed periods of restoration and recommissioning during its history.  

Courtesy of the included Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate we know our car left Coventry at the end of February 1967. Its chassis number of 1E50801 marks it out as the 125th 2+2 produced in 1967. The car was destined for dealer Weston Motors of Bristol and finished in Opalescent Maroon with a beige interior. Since then, the car has been enjoyed by a mere three previous keepers. 

Current owner Jonathan acquired the E Type in March 2015. The E Type was showing around 26,500 miles upon Jonathan’s acquisition, with the car showing just 26,899 at the time of our shoot. With much work undertaken by specialists in 2013 and very few miles covered since, this E Type appears today in an older albeit “just restored” condition and ready to cherish, use and enjoy immediately.
 

The factory records document our car as leaving Coventry wearing in Opalescent Maroon in 1967. Our example effectively showcases the signature features of the E Type’s sought after first iteration. From a time before the American regulations dictated otherwise we see the fared in headlamps and vestigial bumpers with overriders.  At the front the big, oval grill aperture is dissected by a dainty chrome trim piece with the Jaguar’s head at its centre.

The combination of the sheen of the bright and lustrous paintwork, the shiny chrome accents to the bumpers, overriders, door furniture and grill and the wire wheels affixed with twin eare

Those cross-spoked wire wheels are grey painted appear to be in excellent condition all round with no significant areas of imperfection noted. The Jaguar inscribed twin eared spinners, likewise. The 15-inch wheels are shod with a matching set of retro looking radial type Federal Super Steel tyres in a period-correct 185/80.

This example also benefits from the fitment of a full length and width Webasto-style vinyl sunroof. This lends the car many of the benefits of its open two-seater brethren without the hood related hassles.
 

The interior presents as an original E Type cabin of the period – sublime in other words. The cabin is finished in beige leather with deep red carpets and all the trimmings. The box pleated seats are complete with the matching headrests and are finished in supple looking hides. Seat edges are piped in a body-matching red hue adding a further level of luxury to the ambiance.

The rest of the E Type interior is a refreshing antidote to the haptic screen laden, minimalist interior of many a modern Hybrid or EV and all the better for it in our opinion. Being a Series I car we are in toggle switch territory with the less appealing rocker switches arriving with the SII. No less than six, white on black Smiths gauges keep you appraised of the car’s mechanical status. A charming, wood-rimmed, alloy framed Mota-Lita style steering wheel is also present. 

The door cards are finished in beige leather and feature horizontally arranged, chromed trim strips and door furniture. The high and wide inner sill panels are trimmed in leather to match the rest of the interior. The carpets appear to be in fine fettle throughout. Being the 2+2 version of the E Type, the front seats fold forward to provide access to the occasional rear perches. A surprisingly useful rear luggage compartment can be accessed via the side hinged rear hatch.  
 

The 4.2L XK engine was a colossus of a unit having been produced in different capacities since 1949. Whilst the later V12, perhaps fixates some it would add nearly 50kgs to the nose of the E-Type together with a ton of additional complexity for very little additional power. This is why many purists consider the 4.2L XK engine mated to the manual transmission as the apogee of E Type mechanical development.

Lifting the curvy clam-shell bonnet reveals said XK engine. As engines go, it’s not a bad looker, either. Access is peerless, thanks to the wings and bonnet being a single entity. Plenty of polished alloy is in evidence together with the row of triple SU carburettors mounted to the offside. The inner panels of the car and underside of the bonnet look as you would expect with no areas of concern noted or reported.

The underside of the car looks in keeping with the rest of the car. No undue damage, leaks or corrosion was noted or reported, and an impressive level of preservative underseal appears to remain present.

As can be seen, and heard, in our accompanying video the E Type fires into life on the button (literally and figuratively!), idles smoothly and seems to rev cleanly. The exhausts emit no visible smoke at all whilst being revved which bodes well for the mechanical condition of this Jaguar.
 

There is a decent level of provenance providing paperwork included with the car. Foremost amongst these is the current V5 registration document in the name of the current owner. This confirms the car’s status as a Historic Vehicle and its associated MoT exemption and VED zero rating in the UK.

Despite this status the holds a current, advisory free MoT valid until June 2025. There are also numerous other earlier MoTs on hand in hard copy, documenting the low mileages covered over the life of the E Type. An instructive Heritage Certificate is also present revealing some of the factory build records for the car. Other highlights include a number of high value maintenance and repair invoices, many dating from the mid 2010’s.
 

For many years it was clear that the relatively high production numbers of the E Type, compared with some of its peers, meant that its status as a highly collectable classic took a while to materialise. With the passing of time, however, with many cars succumbing to the rigours of age the E Type market has seemingly properly matured. This has resulted in many examples suddenly representing viable propositions in terms of re-imports, often from the USA, conversion to right hand drive and resale. That makes original UK supplied, right hand drive models all the more desirable and actively sought after today.

Our example obviously ticks that box but then doubles down thanks to the allure of its 4.2L manual drivetrain and its fine, overall condition both inside and out. Other assets include the big vinyl sunroof and its charming and eye-catching colourway. If you are lucky enough to become this car’s next keeper it is surely a sight you will never tire of.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £40,000 - £50,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am- 12pm or 2pm-4pm. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.