Lot 435: 1970 Jaguar E Type Series II Roadster

One of the greatest post-war sports cars, Jaguar's E-Type made immediate headlines on its launch in March 1961. A direct descendent of the C and D-Type models that so dominated Fifties sports car racing, its 3.8 litre twin cam engine produced 265bhp and was mated to a Moss four-speed gearbox. Beneath the beautiful William Lyons/Malcolm Sayer-styled body, available in coupe or roadster form, the steel monocoque chassis sported all independent suspension mounted on detachable subframes, using double coil springs/dampers and swing arms at the rear with torsion bars and wishbones at the front. Brakes were discs all round, mounted inboard at the back. October 1964 saw the debut of the 4.2 litre model; apart from the capacity increase from 3,781cc to 4,235cc and improved torque but the same power, it boasted a new all-synchromesh gearbox, better brake servo and seats, an alternator and leather-faced rather than aluminium dashboard. With the Series 2 of October 1969, however, US emission and safety regulations had their way: headlights were open rather than closed, the radiator intake was enlarged, one-piece bumpers replaced the split items with larger side lamps now beneath and, in US guise only, twin Stromberg carburettors reduced power to just 177bhp. Thankfully, European market cars retained their triple SU carburettor, 265bhp engines.The example we offer today was manufactured in 1970 and has had regular maintenance, including some work carried out by E-Type specialists, Eagle. A Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate is supplied with the car along with 10 years of maintenance invoices, a current MoT certificate valid until May 2009 and a V5 document. New chrome wire wheels and a black double duck hood were fitted in 2004. More recently a new electronic ignition was fitted with a solid state fuel pump in 2007. This original right hand drive roadster is finished in signal red with a biscuit interior and is described as being in good condition throughout.