1964 Jaguar E Type 3.8 FHC

Vendor Andy has owned this superlative Fixed-Head Coupe for a grand total of 18 years. “I carried out the car’s restoration myself over the course of 8 years, so the expenditure was only for parts and materials, but even so the total for all the invoices included in the history file amounts to around £25k+ - that’s according to my wife, as I’ve never dared total them up!”

The biggest single item costs were the triple Weber Carburettors (around £3k) and a Classic Fabs exhaust system (£2.5k). Other significant upgrades included:

•    Fosseway vented 4-pot caliper brake kit with remote dual servo
•    Radtec Alloy radiator and 14” fan
•    PowerLite Dynamo/Alternator conversion
•    Powerlite high-torque starter
•    123 Electronic Ignition system
•    Genuine Jaguar Classics Infotainment system (with DAB radio/hands-free calling/Satellite Navigation) 

”Driving any E-Type is always an involving experience, and they say that the view of the road, looking down that long swooping bonnet line is the finest in motoring. Add the induction roar from the triple Webers and the rasp from the Classic Fabs six-into-two exhaust, and you have an intoxicating mix”. 

Since putting the Jag back on the road 10 years ago, Andy has covered circa 6500 miles with the indicated mileage now showing 59,543. “As you can tell from the photos we’ve only used her sparingly on dry days, mostly in the summer months, before popping her away in a dehumidified garage over the winter”.

After 18 years of ownership, Andy says it’s with a heavy heart that he puts the E-Type up for sale. “I officially become a pensioner later this year, and my wife and I are planning on retiring to Cyprus to join our daughter and grandchildren who live on the island. Therefore, I think it’s time to pass the car on to the next custodian”.  
 

As our photographs in our Gallery show, it’s difficult not to be beguiled by this majestic E-Type. Visually, it remains pin sharp. Panel fit is excellent, with the Carmen Red paint retaining a high level of finish and a lovely deep hue.

That’s aided and abetted by pristine bright work, including those iconic chrome wire wheels, that provides a quite stunning contrast against the paintwork. There’s no doubt that Italian sports cars suit Rosso Corsa, but this particular colour is undoubtedly one of the Jaguar E-Type’s finest, too.

“The body was completely restored from the ground up using all new panels where needed,” says Andy. “Unlike so many E-Types I’ve seen, nothing is hidden under layers of underseal, and the car can be jacked up on its jacking points and the doors will still open and close. There is minimal body filler on the panels, and body solder was used to cover the panel seams”.

This is one majestic looking classic car and the good news is, that it’s just as appealing inside.
 

This car’s cabin colour is gloriously bold. It’s also finished to a very high standard. The red leather bucket seats remain pretty much perfect; the only light nod to use being a very slight graze on the beading on the driver’s seat outer bolster.

Carpets remain in first class condition, as do door cards, the headlining, dashboard and centre column. Located in the latter of these is the genuine Jaguar Classics Infotainment system (some £1k worth of kit). This brings modern DAB radio, hands-free calling and satellite navigation capabilities to the E-Type’s cabin, but does so whilst remaining visually discreet. Speakers are integrated either side of the system.

“The interior has been completely restored and has no hidden issues under the carpets or behind the door cards. All the switches and gauges work as they should, except the clock which stopped a few years ago”.

Pop the rear hatch and you will find a mark-free luggage area finished to the same high standard as the rest of the cabin. The car has a full tool kit and jack, and the spare tyre is unused.

This car has, quite simply, a splendid interior environment. 
 

Star of the show under the bonnet is that Classic Fabs exhaust manifold, which immediately draws the eye. The engine bay remains in fastidiously clean condition, as does the car’s underside.

“Mechanically, she runs well, with plenty of power and a fantastic soundtrack. The engine has excellent oil pressure hot or cold, and doesn’t lose water, overheat or burn oil. It’s fitted with the later all-synchromesh gearbox from a 4.2-litre model and that’s fine too.

“The most significant upgrade to the driving experience has been the fitment of the Fosseway vented 4-pot caliper brake kit with a remote dual circuit servo. That has given the car modern braking performance, which is very reassuring in today’s traffic, especially as an E-Type is still quite a fast car. The pedal only requires light pressure to bring the car quickly to a stop”.

Other upgrades, like the Radtec Alloy radiator and 14” fan, PowerLite dynamo/alternator conversion and high torque starter, and the 123 Electronic Ignition system also lend the car modern-day reliability.

“The non-powered steering is very direct (helped by the fitting of a quick-rack and solid mounts), so you only need to ease it into a bend and use the throttle to balance the line on exit. The engine is nicely flexible though, allowing you to potter around in top even at quite low speeds”.

Andy mentions the “fantastic soundtrack” above, so head to 3mins 21secs of our Video Review to check it for yourself; it’s a mixture of throaty intake noise from that triumvirate of Weber carburettors and a truly magnificent sounding exhaust system.

One thing we can guarantee is that as good as this E-Type sounds when stationary, on the move, and at full chat, it’s even better.

As with the body restoration, detailed photographs of the various mechanical rebuild processes can also be found in the car’s comprehensive history file.
 

The E-Type comes with a large A4 lever arch folder with dozens of invoices stretching back over 30 years. “It also contains the Heritage Certificate, original Owners’ handbooks and an original mint copy of the launch brochure”.

A Jaguar service manual and parts book (both also mint) are also present, as are the car’s spare keys. “Two boxes containing all the original parts (brake servo, triple SU carburettors, manifolds, etc) mean that the car can be returned to standard, if desired by the new owner”.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos to support our claim that this Jaguar E-Type 3.8 FHC has been restored to, and then maintained, to the highest of standards. 
 

What a wonderfully restored example of Jaguar’s beautiful Fixed-Head E-Type Coupe. It’s been completed to a very high standard and comes with a comprehensive photographic record of the rebuild.

The E-Type is also a matching numbers car (minus the 4.2 gearbox) and, as the Heritage Certificate confirms, sports its original colour combination. Finally, it’s also been treated to a host of subtle upgrades both to improve drivability and reliability. That said, all original parts are supplied, so the vehicle can be easily returned to standard if the next owner so wished.

It’s no wonder our consignment specialist Paul Hegarty opened this listing by stating: “One of the very best examples, thoughtfully restored in its original Carmen Red. They don’t come much better”.

With an estimated value of between £55,000 and £65,000, we believe that the next custodian of this car will be getting something rather special and at a very decent ticket price to boot.  

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 ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.