1970 JAGUAR E-TYPE SERIES II FIXED HEAD COUPE  Registration...

Estimate

£55,000 - £60,000

1970 JAGUAR E-TYPE SERIES II FIXED HEAD COUPE 

Registration Number: MVW 352J
Chassis Number: 1R20993
Recorded Mileage: 55,000 miles 

The first significant upgrade of Jaguar’s sensational E-Type sports car took shape in October 1964 with the launch of the 4.2-litre version. Along with the bigger, torquier engine came a more user-friendly gearbox with synchromesh on first gear, and a superior Lockheed brake servo. Apart from ‘4.2’ badging, the car’s external appearance was unchanged, but under the skin there were numerous detail improvements. These mainly concerned the cooling and electrical systems, the latter gaining an alternator and adopting the industry standard negative ground, while the interior boasted a matt black dashboard and improved seating arrangements. The top speed of around 150mph remained unchanged, the main performance gain resulting from the larger engine being improved acceleration.

In 1968 all three versions of the E-Type underwent major revision to emerge in ‘Series 2’ guise minus the original’s distinctive headlight covers. In addition, enlarged side and rear lights were adopted while a thickened front bumper centre section bridged a larger radiator intake. Interior changes included a collapsible steering column and rocker switches in place of the earlier toggles. Cooling was much improved by the enlarged 'mouth' and twin electric fans, the brakes were uprated brakes and the Series II engine easily identified by new ribbed cam covers.

Rolling off the Browns Lane production line on 1st November 1970, this late Series II example remained in distributor Charles of Pirbright’s showroom until finding a new owner in April of the following year. The reason for the slow sale may be due to the fact the new Series III V12 E-Type was just around the corner, in fact it is possible (though unconfirmed) that this was the last Series II FHC to be sold in the UK. The E-Type was specified in Light Blue with a Dark Blue leather interior, an exceptionally rare specification, of which we believe only a handful were originally ordered in RHD form.

Sensibly the first owner opted for thorough Ziebart cavity rust-proofing from new, which has no doubt helped preserve the E-Type in the condition you see here. The E-type has never been fully restored, rather maintained as and when required. We understand the engine enjoyed a top-end rebuild in March 2009 when purchased by the previous owner, and in current ownership (since 2017) has been further cosmetically improved and serviced as needed. 

With now just over 55,000 miles recorded, three files of history including many invoices for works completed, the original owner's book pack, and a detailed maintenance diary kept by the original owner, this is a truly charming original example of Jaguar’s definitive sportscar of the period.