This stunning 1968 LHD S1.5 4.2 Roadster is finished in its original colour of Opalescent Dark Green with a Tan Leather interior and Tan carpets, Black mohair Soft Top, 4.2 Litre Engine and Chrome Wire Wheels. According to the Heritage Certificate, Chassis No: 1E17438 was built in March 1968 and was supplied new by Henlys in London in May 1968 (Reg No: NRW 463F) as a personal export for a Mr Denn who we believe was an officer in the armed forces in Germany.
Chassis No: 1E17438 is one of the rarest 'E' Type's made at the end of the Series 1 production run according to Jaguar Heritage Trust and was the last one of a transitional series of cars built in 1968 which were unofficially called "Series 1½". It was as the name suggests a bridge between the SI and S2 which are externally the same as Series 1 cars but due to pressure from the USA, some new S2 features were introduced including 'Open' Headlights, different Switches, Twin Cooling Fans and adjustable Seats.
This car was re-imported and re-registered in the UK in 1991 and was at some stage converted to RHD shortly afterwards and remained this way until it was purchased by the current owner in September 2009 (£42,000) for the sole purpose of competing in the 12,000 mile long 'Rallye Med' in 2010. Wanting to restore the car to its original configuration/specification including the necessary upgrades to complete this epic Rally, he gave the car to a marque specialist 'Footloose' in Peterborough and they completely stripped and rebuilt the car and carried out a full bodywork restoration, conversion back to LHD and fitted numerous mechanical upgrades. The Engine was sent to M & C Wilkinson to rebuild and the interior was re-trimmed by Suffolk & Turley. It has all the usual 'E' Type upgrades you would expect including the fitting of a BW T5 5 Speed Gearbox, uprated Brakes, Aluminium Radiator and uprated cooling system, Poly Bushed Suspension and new Michelin XWX 205/70/15 Tyres.
In total, he spent an additional £67,000 on the car having it rebuilt and another £2,000 on spares for the Rally and it subsequently completed the 12,000 miles in 2 months without any serious hiccups!
Upon returning from the Rally, he has spent a further £7,000 on the car to bring it back to near Concours condition in readiness for sale and his total expenditure amounts to £118,000.
The car also comes with a complete set of specially made luggage to fit in the boot + a host of spares and tools which he purchased to take with him on the Rally. There are full photograph records of this rebuild and suffice to say this car is absolutely fabulous throughout and could easily be made into a Concourse winner with some fine detailing.
We have never driven an E-Type as good as this and it has recently completed a 750 mile round trip to the Spa Classic 6 Hours Race with no issues whatsoever!
The total mileage covered by the car since the rebuild is now 16,775.
If you want one of the best 'sorted' E-Types on the market today, this has to be a very strong contender!
Car on display @ our showrooms