1968 Jaguar E Type 4.2

Fresh out of long-term ownership, this UK-supplied 1968 Jaguar E Type is fitted with the later 4.2-litre engine and four-speed manual gearbox.

‘HVG 606F’ is the desirable convertible model, too and is finished in the classic colour combination of silver with a chrome wire wheels and a black leather interior.

It’s been in the vendor’s showroom for the past couple of years following the sad death of its owner. The V5 shows Albert as having bought it in 1983 and it was his “pride and joy” according to the vendor, who also did the odd job on it for him and thinks it may have been restored about 15 years ago.

It is in need of some work now, but this means it offers the winning bidder the opportunity to further improve it as and when funds and motivation collide.

Even better, it is being offered with a very sensible reserve, so you might just be able to snaffle a festive bargain, too.

The first thing we noticed is how good the door shutlines are. Tight and consistent, they speak of many hours of careful wrangling to get them this neatly aligned.

The way the bonnet fits is very good too, and while the boot lid isn’t quite as good, we’re still talking about very good alignment. There are no dents, dinks, or other damage, either and the silver paintwork is good, with a great shine to it. 

The chromed wire wheels have only a little corrosion to spoil their presentation and they’re also fitted with a matching set of high-quality Pirelli P4000 tyres, which have good tread. These are getting on a bit now though and could do with being replaced on the grounds of their age.

The black folding roof rises and falls as it should. It also fits well, and the plastic rear window is still clear and undamaged. The hood frame has been neatly painted and is in a very good condition.

The lamp lenses and glazing are all good.

The chromework isn’t too bad with the spinners on the wire wheels and the rear bumper overriders being the worst bits. The rest is acceptable but a bit dull and pitted, so we can see most owners would want to get it re-chromed or replaced in time.

There are a few chips in the paintwork where the bonnet closes against the bulkhead, along with a few bubbles in the same area. There are bubbles too on the passenger door. 

The interior is beautifully patinated, being comfortable and gently faded like a favourite leather armchair, or an old tweed jacket; it’s not trying too hard, it’s just moulded itself to the service it provides.

Not that this is a euphemism for a tatty car because nothing could be further from the truth. 

The seats, for example, are delightfully crumpled and an invitation to just get in and drive without fear of spoiling your 100-point concours car.

The door cards are good, as is the underside of that folding roof. We mentioned the well-painted frame earlier, but it is worth pointing out again because this is something a lot of car owners neglect.

A Kenwood radio-cassette player is fitted along with a pair of modern Pioneer speakers in the footwell.

The wooden steering wheel is in a decent condition too, as is the gear knob. The instruments and dashboard are also good but would benefit from a deep clean.

As for work to do, the carpets are decent enough, but we can see most owners will want to change them for something better at some point.

The lock for the glovebox is also missing, so that’ll need sorting, as will the switch label panel, which is chipped, cracked, glued, and is missing one end. 

The rev counter and speedometer have seen better days too and would benefit from being refurbished.

As you can see, it fires into life with only the gentlest puff of smoke before settling into a steady tickover. It revs well, too and makes a delightful noise. 

The fuel pump has just been replaced, as has the clutch slave cylinder. It’s had fresh fuel put in it too, and the plugs and points cleaned. However, it has been sitting in the showroom unused for the past couple of years so is due a service and probably a new battery as a minimum.

The vendor hasn’t driven it, other than to move it to take the photos, so isn’t in a position to comment on its drivability.

The engine bay is serviceable but there is scope to prettify it should you want an excuse to spend a few hours in the garage.

Sadly, the Jaguar comes with a current V5 registration document in Albert’s daughter’s name but nothing else. 

The vendor knew Albert and tells us that he “kept on top of it” as it was his pride and joy. Unfortunately, the history file has been misplaced and cannot now be found. 

There is an invoice from a company called Mobile Tune for an MoT, wiper blades and some bulbs, so the new owner might be able to pick up the trail and get duplicates of previous invoices from them if they’ve done other work on it. Perhaps.

Nor does it have an MoT, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies… 

With a guide price of between £65,000 and £75,000, this delightful old E Type offers a lot of car for the money.

It also offers the new owner the chance to re-fettle it to their own specification, whether that’s stripping it right down and starting again or merely conserving and stabilizing it for now before gradually refurbishing it over the coming years.

Either way, this is a great opportunity to buy a much-loved example of a perennially popular classic British sportscar – and the circumstances under which it is being sold mean the reserve is ridiculously reasonable, which is a fine way to see 2023 out.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Fleetwood, Lancashire. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  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’.