1971 Jaguar E Type

Finished in Westminster Blue with a matching soft-top and an oxblood red leather interior, wire wheels, and lashings of very good chrome, ‘EKO 408K’ might just be the most perfectly spec’d Series 3 Jaguar E Type Convertible we’ve seen in a while.

Records show it left Henlys of London in September 1971 and the paperwork on file shows an extensive restoration in the early nineties that set its owner back what would be a six-figure sum today.

Having covered only 36,000 miles since then and “consistently maintained since”, it’s been in the care of the seller since 2005. Fitted with the 5.4-litre V12 engine and the desirable manual gearbox, it performs every bit as well as it looks.

As you can see in the photos – and didn’t our tame photographer do a great job, BTW? – the restoration work has stood up well as it still sports some excellent shutlines, great panel alignment, and a distinct absence of the sort of dents, dinks, and scuffs you’d expect to see on a car after more than 30 years of use.

No wonder Classic Coachbuilders was happy to put its name to a plaque under the bonnet celebrating its work.

Mind you, leafing through the history file we see that the original work was supplemented by some repairs (not corrosion, according to the invoice on file) in around 2010.

Even so, it looks terrific, doesn’t it? The Westminster Blue paintwork shines beautifully, and the combination of that colour and the sparkling chromework and wire wheels makes for an arresting combination.

The bonnet louvres run nice and straight too, and the four corners are free of parking blemishes; both of these point to an uncommon degree of care.

And the 15-inch wheels don’t just look good, they’re also fitted with matching 205/70ZR15 Pirelli P4000 Super Touring tyres, all of which have good tread.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The blue folding roof does exactly what a folding roof should: It furls and unfurls with ease, seals well when it’s up, and sits beneath a good black fabric cover when it’s lowered.

All the other details like the tailpipes, badges, lamp lenses, silver and black number plates, and window glass stack up too; this is a car that’s clearly lived a pampered life.

Nonetheless, there is work to do. There are blemishes in the paintwork on the top of both front wings, ahead of the driver’s door, on the top of the offside rear wing, and on the bonnet.

The rubber windscreen seal has also perished, there are rust bubbles at the base of the windscreen, the wheel spokes show some corrosion, and the tyres are old.

The oxblood hide interior is starting to develop a gorgeous patina with gently rumpled front seats and a little colour loss to some of the controls – and before you think we’re being overly harsh nothing could be further from the truth because it wears its years lightly and we love its honesty.

And it really is in a very good condition – and as for the colour, could anything be a more perfect foil to the Westminster Blue coachwork?

The seats are very comfortable and free of rips, tears, and other age-related damage. The matching door cards are excellent, as is the front armrest.

The steering wheel might be simple but it’s in great shape and feels wonderful in your hand, as does the straightforward round gearknob; only exquisitely engineered cars get away with interfaces as modest as these.

The E Type features the usual fighter-style array of switches and instruments, and the top of the dashboard is free of cracks and fading.

Music comes via a high-power JVC headunit.

The boot is very nicely trimmed and plays host to a wooden spinner removal tool, a British Wheel Wrench, and a very shiny spare wire wheel and Pirelli tyre combo. Lifting the latter out shows only solid metal underneath.

As for flaws, the carpets are generally a little worn and moth-eaten, there is a small section of wear to the inner edge of the passenger seat backrest, a rip in the driver’s door handle, and discolouration to the one on the opposite side. The latter is also coming away from the door card.

There are 103 pages of paperwork online for parts and work, so there’s simply too much to list in detail here.

Suffice to say the restoration in the early nineties set the Jaguar’s owner back well in excess of £110,000 in today’s money, and the paperwork confirms just how thorough the work was.

More recently are invoices from folk such as Racing Technologies and German Motor Works in the noughties, and East Wantley Garage Services in the following decade.

There’s a gap in the MoT record between 2013 and this year, and Hill Services picked up the baton in July 2023, fitting a battery and an electronic fuel pump.

There’s another on file for £540 from September this year with one for £180 being run up a month later to put right some MoT problems.

As the video shows, the Stromberg-fed and electronic ignition-equipped V12 fires into life nicely and builds good oil pressure. The idle isn’t as steady as we’d like, but it’s got a helluva induction rasp and an even better exhaust note, so #swingsandroundabouts, eh?

Cosmetically you could unleash your tame valeter to give it some love, but they’d only be cleaning it as the basics look very good beneath the thin film of grime.

The underside features Koni dampers, and a nice combination of painted and undersealed metalwork. No MoT tester has ever mentioned structural corrosion, although there is a little rust starting on the underside of the bonnet/front valence. The underseal is also flaking away in places and water has got underneath leading to some rust.

Mechanically, apart from the need for a service/tune-up, the last MoT raised advisories for some worn bushes and/or pins in the front suspension.

Despite not needing one, we’re delighted to see the E Type not only has a current MoT certificate, but that the one it holds doesn’t expire until October 2025.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar the change of colour from white to blue. The Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Production Record Trace Certificate shows it left the factory in August 1971 painted blue, so we’re surmising the change to white occurred later in its life.

This theory is supported by the paperwork from Classic Coachbuilders that includes a reference to a “repaint to original colour”. Completists like us appreciate this level of historical detail.

The history file includes the Operating, Maintenance and Service Handbook, a Repair Operation Manual, expired MoT certificates and tax discs, an ownership record, a copy of the Jaguar E Type Register in which it features, old invoices, a photographic record of its restoration, and more – and that it’s all been neatly indexed can’t be a bad thing.

With a guide price of between £45,000 and £55,000, we think this Jaguar E Type offers the enthusiast a great deal for the money.

Beautifully specified with all the right bits in all the right colours, it’s a big, lusty, strong example that just needs continued fettling to keep it looking and driving as well as it does now.

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’.