Registration No: GNH 244B
Chassis No: 889861
MOT: Exempt

• Presented in a tasteful combination of British Racing Green with Butterscotch interior
• Subject to full, sympathetic restoration after its purchase between 2014 - 2017
• Engine rebuild to ‘Fast Road’ specification with Sigma Engineering in December 2018

One of the great motoring icons of the last century, Jaguar`s E-type is a car that has always inspired loyalty and devotion. Born out of the fabulous D-type racer, the newcomer soon acquired a strong competition heritage of its own (as witnessed by Briggs Cunningham and Roy Salvadori`s strong drive to 4th overall in the 1962 Le Mans 24-hours). Faster and mnore glamorous than virtually all its production rivals, it put many so called `sportscars` to shame at its 1961 Geneva Motorshow launch. Certainly few could live with its reputed 150mph top speed or the savage acceleration that allowed it to touch 60mph in less than 7 seconds. In an age when decent family saloon could call upon its engine for 65bhp, the E-type`s 3781cc, DOHC, straight six claimed an additional 200bhp. While Ferrari`s lauded 250GT SWB and 250 GTO made do with live rear axles, the E-type utilised a sophisticated independent rear set up with inboard rear disc brakes. Rack and pinion steering enabled the driver to make the most of the monocoque chassis excellent road holding and handling, putting it light years ahead of American designs like the Corvette.

Manufactured on 15 January 1964, this Series 1 E-type 3.8 litre FHC was despatched to Jaguar Cars, New York, USA on 24 January. At that time presented in Opalescent Gunmetal with contrasting Red interior, the first owner was a J G McInley. Having spent the majority of its life in the US, the car was purchased by the vendor as a project from Beverly Hills Car Club and promptly shipped across to the UK c.2014-2015 to form part of an increasing private collection, largely comprising 50’s and 60’s classics.

The restoration process began in May 2015, undertaken by the collection mechanic and with the help from various specialists. The car was dismantled with a complete new floor, bulkhead panels and both inner and outer sills. These were then sprayed to match the existing British Racing Green paintwork, which was left to retain some character. The rear subrame was replaced and assembled along with new shocks, discs and calipers and the pipework for both the petrol and brakes replaced for new.

The engine, a non-matching but correct 3.8-litre unit, was rebuilt to fast-road specification with Sigma Engineering in December 2018 at a cost of £4,897. The specification included racing valves, the head ported to racing specification, triple Weber 45 Carburettors, conversion for unleaded fuel and the throttle linkage modified for increased responsiveness. The car also received a replacement clutch with alloy flywheel, high torque starter, stainless steel exhaust with new manifolds, an alloy radiator and header tank, new water pump, various auxillaries etc. A complete new wiring loom was then fitted, with a large portion of the electrics replaced and the interior re-upholstered in the lovely Butterscotch it now wears by BAS International at a cost of £8,755. The brightwork was also replaced along with rubber seals, the front brakes uprated to discs with 4-pot calipers and the non-matching but correct Jaguar Moss gearbox was retained.

Having been completed and first registered in the UK on 21 June 2017, the car has remained part of the same private collection, being maintained when necessary and driven occasionally. Presenting a lovely patina, but with the mechanicals and interior sorted, the car displays 62,388 miles on the odometer at the time of consignment and comes accompanied with an impressive history file organised in a ringbinder. Included within which is a copy of the New York Title, a total breakdown of costs in current ownership until May 2015, various DVLA documents relating to the registration, the Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate and a large collection of invoices for work completed.

For more information, please contact:
Andreas Hicks
andreas.hicks@handh.co.uk
07943584762