Registration No: BHE 834B
Chassis No: 1E30278
MOT: Exempt

• Just emerged from an exhaustive 'bare metal' restoration by marque specialist King Edward Classic Cars of Grimsby
• Built on 30th November 1964 and despatched to Jaguar Cars of New York the following month
• Repatriated in 1989 and renovated by Rushton Motor Services (including conversion to RHD) before being displayed at The Classic Car Collection

Triumphantly launched at the March 1961 Geneva Salon, Jaguar’s ‘150mph’ E-Type was the sports car that (a) put the swinging into the ‘swinging sixties’, (b) no lesser a man than Enzo Ferrari dubbed ‘the most beautiful car in the world’, and (c) transported a galaxy of stars from Brigitte Bardot to George Best, Tony Curtis to Donald Campbell and Roy Orbison to Steve McQueen. Though not designed as a racer, the E-Type was nevertheless a direct descendent of the all-conquering D-Type and thus had motorsport embedded in its DNA. Equipped with all-round independent suspension, rack and pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes, its handling and roadholding proved more than a match for most rivals. Just one month from launch Graham Hill and Roy Salvadori drove the Equipe Endeavour E-Type (‘ECD 400’) to victory at Oulton Park and some fifty-six years later the model remains a force to be reckoned with in historic racing. Updated during August 1964, the Jaguar gained a larger 4235cc XK DOHC straight-six engine and more user-friendly manual gearbox with synchromesh on each of its four forward speeds. Thankfully, the Big Cat’s beautiful styling remained unaltered until the introduction of the so-called Series 1.5 cars during September 1967 by which time just 6,167 Series 1 4.2 Fixed Head Coupes had been made.

Notable as the final Jaguar E-Type restoration project to be embarked upon by the late Jeffrey Thomson of marque specialist King Edward Classic Cars, chassis 1E30278 was built on 30^th November 1964 and despatched to Jaguar Cars, New York the following month. Repatriated some twenty-five years later, the Series 1 Fixed Head Coupe was extensively refurbished by Rushton Motor Services of Sheffield during 1990 including a conversion to right-hand drive. Subsequently put on display with The Classic Car Collection of Lanark, ‘BHE 834B’ was taken off the road in 2007 due to a water leak. Still immobile when purchased by Mr Thomson two years ago, he set about disassembling the car and stripping its bodywork to bare metal. Any corroded sections were cut out with the structure secured via a cradle to prevent distortion. Uprated with stiffened transmission tunnel and inner sill sections, the renovated sheetmetal was then carefully repainted in the period colour of Opalescent Silver Grey metallic. Numerous parts invoices on file from SNG Barratt and M&C Wilkinson attest to the thoroughness with which the steering, brakes and suspension were gone through (the latter being fitted with Gaz shock absorbers). Rewired throughout and treated to numerous pieces of refinished brightwork, the Jaguar was re-trimmed in Red leather using a kit supplied by BAS International at a cost of £3,556.59. Sporting a replacement ‘big bore’ exhaust and riding on new wire wheels shod with fresh tyres, the E-Type has also benefited from the fitment of a correct-type and overhauled 4.2 litre XK DOHC engine (it had come back from the States with an earlier 3.8 litre unit in situ). The late Mr Thomson was justifiably proud of his restoration skills and of the fact he had passed them onto a younger generation. Scheduled to have a couple of very minor finishing touches completed by the time of sale (radio dash aperture etc), the Series 1 Fixed Head Coupe started readily and ran well during our recent photography session. Although, as ever a degree of de-bugging may be necessary after such a comprehensive rejuvenation. Available at a fraction of the cost that some bigger name Jaguar restorers would charge, ‘BHE 834B’ is worthy of close inspection. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document, Jaguar Heritage Certificate and history file.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737