1969 Jaguar E Type

Manufactured on 15th January 1969, this ‘Pale Primrose Yellow’ RHD manual E Type Series 2 4.2-litre 2+2 coupé was delivered new to a Bolton dealership some 15 days later.

We know from a Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate that this matching numbers car is in its original colours inside and out.

That theme of originality and authenticity - wherever and whenever possible - runs through the rest of the car

The vendor bought the car around six years ago and the first thing he did was send it off to Guy at Tim Walker Restorations of Aylesbury with a brief to get the car into the best mechanical and dynamic version of itself.

Many hours and £1000s later, the car emerged in the excellent mechanical, electrical and dynamic and condition you see today.

We have driven it and can attest to its thoroughly well-screwed-together feel and ability to start, handle, accelerate and stop better than many, many E Types we’ve encountered in the past.

The notchy, positive gearbox is a pleasure to use.

Today, the car is ready to use and enjoy, but the vendor is selling before embarking on the next, cosmetic phase of its restoration journey, as he has other commitments.

How far you want to take it on that next phase is, of course, entirely up you, but we really don’t think that the task of getting the bodywork fully sorted should prove prohibitive in terms of cost, time or effort.
 

The instantly recognisable long, sleek, svelte silhouette is untroubled by any dinks, dents, lumps, creases or ripples of note anywhere that we can see.

The shut lines and panel gaps are consistent and even, although the passenger door is a little stiff.

The paintwork is reasonable overall and, although a little flat and faded in a few places, we think it would respond enthusiastically to a thorough machine polish.

The chrome-work throughout is pretty decent and there’s not much more to report than a little light foxing on the rear bumper.

The chromed pressed wheels have held up very well, too, as have the matching Dunlop SP Sport tyres (all five of them), which appear to have a decent amount of life left in them.

There is a little bubbling and blistering in evidence at the base of the driver’s door; in the n/s/f wheel-arch and the sill behind it; at the base sections of the o/s/r wheel-arch; and there’s some bubbling and nascent flaking at the bottom of the tail gate on the inside.

There are some paint chips on the bonnet and some paint missing from a couple of places where the bodywork meets the bonnet on the nearside.

We noticed a few spots of surface rust inside the roof gutters; some signs of a previous touch-up around the fuel filler cap; a handful of very small chips to the windscreen on the passenger side; and some paint chipped away on the bodywork beneath the lower lip of the rear door.

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings are all good from what we can see, although some of the rubber window and door seals have perished in places.

The black Webasto roof is in perfectly decent nick and is free of any holes or tears, but the mechanism is very stiff and it probably needs some professional tweaking to get it back to its best behaviour.
 

The interior of this car is really very impressive indeed, not least because the vendor has renewed the beige leather upholstery and trim in the front – and kept the existing upholstery and trim in the rear.

Consequently, the front seats are entirely devoid of any creasing or patina, while the rear seats have just a tad of both and there are one or two small nicks to the central transmission tunnel cover/armrest.

The door cards are good, save for a couple of small scuffs caused by the ingress and egress of feet, and the carpets, mats and headlining are all decent.

Each sill cover has a small hole in it towards the front of the car.

The steering wheel, gear lever and other controls are all very good and the dashboard switches, buttons, dials, instruments and fascia are all in good order.

There are a couple of splits to the vinyl along the dashboard roll-top and the glove box handle needs re-affixing at one end.

The vendor tells us that the radio, rev counter and clock are, variously, temperamental, retired or somewhere in between.

The luggage bay looks fine and is in good order, from what we can see.

The engine and engine bay are notably clean and fresh-looking, and everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

There is a little rust and the odd spot of nascent flaking on the undersides, but we’re confident of the underlying structural integrity of what we can see.  

We’ve seen nothing to make us frown, tut or shake our heads.

The car comes with the all-important Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate and all manner of history stretching from its earliest days to the present – including its original log book.

The car’s mileage was recorded as being 57,000 in 1977, 66,350 in 2005, and it is at a still very modest 69,929 miles today.

There are bills, invoices and receipts from all the right people over the years – Martin Robey, David Manners, WATJAG and SC Parts in earlier years, and Bucks Sports & Classic Car Centre and Tim Walker Restorations more recently.

Headline jobs recently tackled include the fitting of a replacement fuel tank, a WOSP high-torque starter motor, and a new alternator and fuel pump – to name but a few.

It comes with a recent HPI report and an MoT certificate that’s valid until 23rd September 2025. In common with every other MoT certificate it’s had over the last decade, there are no advisories whatsoever.
 

This lovely car has a lot to be said in its favour.

Low miles and a wad of recent bills to explain just how and why it drives so well, for a start.

Then there’s the fact that it’s pretty much unmolested and authentic.

And it’s also Pale Primrose Yellow, which we think is a fine colour for an E Type.

Importantly, it’s in a condition that gives you choices – and choices you don’t have to rush into.

Keep it just as it is and enjoy the experience of driving a properly sorted and ready-to-rumble car.

Or embark upon a cosmetic restoration that can get it looking as good as it drives and which will help preserve it for many years to come.

The choice, dear reader, is all yours. 

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £30,000 - £35,000.

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