Lot 234: 1970 Jaguar E-Type Series II Fixedhead Coupe

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's 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 sidelamps 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.This 1970 E-type was first registered in Leeds on 1st January 1971 and has had just two owners since. The previous owner having acquired it in 1976 and restored it in the early eighties. MoT certificates since 1976 support the recorded mileage (currently around 55,000). The current owner bought it in October 1996 and has used it regularly since. The car is presented in Opal Silver Grey with a black leather interior (the original colour), new wire wheels and a Webasto sunroof. The V5 certificate is provided and the MoT is valid until April 2007. The accompanying history file contains the original registration papers, owners manual and other documents together with all bills and MoT's since 1996.