1966 Jaguar E-Type SI 4.2

This Series 1, 4.2-litre coupé is finished in a wonderful Opalescent Maroon with a dark red interior. Built on the 11th of March 1966, it was sold by Eton Garage of Slough to Couture Lingerie Ltd of Grays, Essex. (First incorporated in 1960, the company was dissolved in 2014. I’d say it went bust, but puns like that are beneath me.)

With just four registered keepers since (in 1979, 1988, and 2010, the year the owner bought it as a retirement present to himself) the extensive paper record shows it had restorative work in around 1990 and 2016-18. The latter included many new panels and a return to its original colour but given how stunning it is you’ll have guessed that by now, won’t you?

It’s got the 4.2-litre engine under the bonnet, mated to a manual gearbox and adjustable Koni dampers, making this the specification of choice for the keen driver. Despite its many virtues, it is being offered with a very sensible guide price. Chalk it down to the heat, eh?

The problem with the E-Type’s popularity is that it does tend to blunt the impact somewhat. I mean, we all know it’s one of the all-time great designs but too often we see one and think nothing of it.

And then you see one like this. Just take a look at the side profile and tell me that’s not art. From the swooping lines emphasized by the metallic maroon paint, to the wire wheels, perky twin exhausts, swollen rear wheelarches, and discrete chrome trim, it really is something, isn’t it? Our tame photographer might be a talented chap but this thing practically shot itself.

The chromed wire wheels are in an excellent condition; say what you like about the understated elegance of steel wheels but wire jobbies like this are popular for a very good reason. They’re fitted with matching XAS-pattern tyres too, which is always a good sign.

The Webasto sliding fabric roof and Perspex wind deflector add another layer to the Jaguar’s already huge appeal. Giving almost convertible levels of fresh air, the Webasto seals tightly and furls and unfurls easily, making this a genuine four-season car. (And, for those who are howling at the screen about the inadvisability of using a car like this in the winter, I’d just point out that there would be no better way to arrive at your favourite ski resort…)

There is some orange peel to the finish on the nearside rear wing (#94) and some discolouration inside the headlamps (#239 and #240) but aside from that TBH229E’s coachwork is in a very good condition bar the odd stonechip and mark and needs nothing other than continued care and attention.

In contrast to the fresh bodywork and paint, the interior is gently patinated. That’s not to damn with faint praise though because conservancy is, we would argue, as important as restoration and the preservation of a car’s history is something that too few people consider when they’re planning their car’s curation.

So, we don’t mind the gentle creasing and the light cracking on the front seats because the owner chose to have the seats refurbished with new diaphragms and foam while insisting the old leather covers be reused; modern leather, he argues, just isn’t the same. The result is seats that look nicely worn in but are still very comfortable and supportive, so you really are getting the best of both worlds.

There’s a classic three-spoke, wood-rimmed steering wheel in there too, plus a long, slim chromed handbrake and archetypal round gearknob; the E-Type is a very tactile car.

The door cards are good too, as are the carpets and headlining. Of course, the E-Type’s trademark toggle switches and row of round gauges are present and correct.

The boot area is beautifully trimmed in leather and the surface is protected by chrome rubbing strips on the floor. It’s very elegant, so if you’re the winning bidder you’d do well to keep a watch out for some period leather luggage to grace it.

Lifting the boot trim up shows nothing but solid metal underneath. There’s a wire spare wheel and a tool kit neatly stashed away down there, too.

There’s little to criticise here bar what looks like a small crack in the top of the dashboard (#132).

The 4.2-litre, straight-six engine really is one of the classics, isn’t it? (See slide #20.) As lovely to listen to as it is top behold, this one starts promptly and revs beautifully. It’s not the original but then it was built 55 years ago.

It’s got a set of adjustable Koni dampers too, plus a stainless-steel sports exhaust. Both are subtle upgrades, installed by the owner as a result of a lifetime’s experience with the marque. This is his 37th Jaguar (the first was a MKII in 1972, in case you were wondering) and his 2nd E-Type. He also worked for Jaguar at Brown’s Lane in the ‘60s before moving into the dealership network, so he knows his stuff and I think we can trust his judgement on what modifications works and what don’t, can’t we?

We’ve driven it, and the whole thing, engine, clutch, gearbox, steering, and suspension work in harmony to create a whole that’s more than the sum of its parts.

The underside is painted rather than undersealed, so its glory is there for all to admire.

As you’ll have gathered from the invoices in the history, one of the many joys of running an E-Type is the fact that spares are so readily available; we wouldn’t bet the house on it but a tenner says that there isn’t much you can’t buy off the shelf.

So there really is no excuse for a poorly maintained one, which is good because this is a very well fettled one indeed. As the owner puts it “it’s always been looked after by the right sort of people”.

It’s all documented, too: With 172 pages of documents, this E-Type has an unusually well documented past. At a time when so many classic cars have little or no history, it’s refreshing to see the care with which this one’s life has been recorded.

It includes reams of handwritten notes (is it just us that finds handwritten lists so appealing?) and goes on to include old MOT certificates, expired tax discs, invoices, bills, and so on.

It’s also got a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate, which shows it left the factory this colour, albeit with a beige interior.

The Jaguar doesn’t have a current MOT certificate, 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. 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 vehicles 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…

Other than a change in colour (it was white for a while) the recent Vehicle History Check doesn’t flag up anything at all.

Some classic cars are timeless, and their appeal never wanes. Cars like the Mini, the Range Rover Classic and the Jaguar E-Type, cars whose appeal lies in their groundbreaking design, their ease of ownership, and, let’s face it, their residual value.

Because, when the market softens, investors and collectors default to what they know – and everyone loves and knows the E-Type. They also want early, original cars in the very best condition – and this example ticks those boxes. For that reason, we think this is a car that will appeal to the Jaguar E-Type enthusiast with an eye to maximizing their investment over the coming years.

And yes, this does represent a significant investment of somewhere between £70,000 and £80,000 – but then the cost of an investment only becomes apparent after it’s been sold and cars like this, while commanding a premium up front, will almost always command a premium when they’re sold, which might make this a cheaper prospect overall than you think…

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment 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, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.