1968 Jaguar E Type 2+2 Coupé

This Series 1.5 left-hand drive E Type Automatic was repatriated from California in 2000 by Jaguar specialist Paul Webb, and has been in the current owner’s care since then.

It was originally Silver Grey, but was repainted in 1982. The owner says the repaint work was just that, and that the car has never been restored.

The panel fit on this car is excellent, lending credence to the idea that it’s not been subjected to any serious restoration work since 1968. That’s the good news. The less good news is that the paintwork that was done in 1982 is now showing its age. Although ostensibly still a shiny looking E Type, there are several areas that now look past their best.

On the bonnet just forward of the half way mark on the offside, there are a couple of dents, and an area of this panel close to the nearside headlight has suffered some kind of paint reaction. There’s also a dent on the wing nearby, where the paint has come away completely. There’s a similar are on the bonnet, and a patch with scratches near the other headlight.

The offside (passenger) door has several small dents in it, and further back the trailing edge of the door and leading edge of the rear quarter have small areas of paintwork damage.

That said, the rest of the paintwork is reasonably presentable, although the roof has micro-blistering, and if you wanted an E Type to use rather than polish, some localised paint repairs could improve things dramatically.

In addition, we couldn’t spot any corrosion on the shell (although we’d advise any potential bidders to inspect the car themselves) which makes it quite an intriguing prospect, especially for the more hands on enthusiast.

The chrome bumpers and trim, while showing mild tarnishing, also appear rust free and may well respond well to a good polish. The chrome wire wheels look to be in very good shape.

The interior contains a nice pair of red leather front seats, which we suspect have been retrimmed at some point as the rear seats are in quite a poor state, with tears and dry looking hide.

The trim surrounding the headlining near the rear hatch has also suffered what looks like sun damage, but the front of the cabin is actually in very good shape, with the dash, wheel and door cards all presenting very well.

There are a few small marks on the transmission tunnel near the gear selector, but other than that it’s all very tidy. The door rubbers haven’t enjoyed the California heat though, and need replacing (included in the boxes of spares that come with the car is one marked “body rubbers.”)

But again, it’s all very original looking (apart from a nasty 1980s radio cassette player in the dash) and with a retrimmed rear seat and some attention to the headlining surround it could look very good indeed, relatively easily.

Original is the word that immediately comes to mind when hauling open the E Types vast bonnet panel. You can instantly spot that it’s an American spec car from a hot state, as the air conditioning pump sits right at the front where the alternator might usually live – this has been rehoused elsewhere and now points towards the back of the engine bay.

Twin Stromberg carbs replace the triple SUs that British buyers got (although this could easily be changed if the new owner so desired). The car’s underside does look remarkably sound and, again, very original.

There’s a huge stack of paperwork with this car which even includes the original documentation of the Californian registration and sale. On top of this is a large pile of old MoT certificates, handbooks, service reports and invoices for parts and work carried out.

There are also a large selection of spare parts, including all the original parts that have been replaced over the years, plus a folder full of old photos of the car at various stages during its life. The owner says:

‘I have dreamt of owning an E-type since seeing one outside my Grandfather’s house as a young boy in the mid 1960s. In early 2000 I met Paul Webb who was bringing cars back from the USA. I went to see his latest batch of imports.

‘With an 11 and 7 year old we opted for a four seater and the best of the bunch was the car I purchased as it was the closest to roadworthy and in the best condition.

‘Over the next 24 years, the car has been used for a summer daily commute, and been to many classic shows in the area. I have been a JEC member since sept 2000 and at one time ran the Swindon and North Wiltshire region.

‘Everything about the car is original. As far as I know, it has never been taken apart or restored in any way. I have no idea why the colour changed in 1982.

‘Since the repaint, someone put a trolley jack under the radiator mounting bar and pushed the radiator upwards. hence the two marks on the top of the bonnet. I talked SNG Barratt at the 40th anniversary meet to send me that piece that I refitted, which put the radiator into the correct position (old piece in the box).

‘All numbers match the JH certificate and as far as I am aware everything works (the clock battery is in the arm rest box). The jack in the bag is the original to fit the jacking points, I bought a new ratchet handle. Also original are the wheel nut removal tool and the hammer.

‘I am selling because 45 years of flying aeroplanes for the RAF has resulted in osteoarthritis in my hands and fingers, and so holding tools is getting difficult and painful. I also don’t really have the space to restore the car as I would want to, and so think that the time is right for somebody else to give this great car the TLC it deserves.’

This E Type is, as we’ve said, an intriguing prospect. It retains a fabulous historic aura and is actually a very original car, despite the colour change.

It wouldn’t take a lot of work to make it look considerably better. Equally, as a basis for a restoration project it represents an incredibly sound base from which to start. Either way, at this price range estimate we feel it could well be something of a bargain.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £25,000 - £30,000.

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 try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.