1969 Jaguar E-Type SII
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Year of manufacture1969
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Car typeOther
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Chassis number1R20298
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Engine number7R58929
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Lot number412
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DriveRHD
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ConditionUsed
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Exterior brand colourRolls-Royce Shell Grey
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Interior colourBlack
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Interior brand colourBlack
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Number of seats2
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Location
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Exterior colourOther
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GearboxManual
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Drivetrain2wd
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Fuel typePetrol
Description
Guide price: ??55000 - ??65000.
- Supplied new in June 1969 by Henlys of London in right-hand drive with a manual gearbox
- Believed to be the only E-Type factory-finished in Rolls-Royce Shell Grey paintwork and black leather
- Restored in the late 1980s to original specification and still very smartly presented
- MOTs dating back to 1976, the V5 showing three former keepers, and a wealth of invoices
- With its Heritage Certificate showing the correct Rolls-Royce paint code. Offered for the first time in 32 years
Introduced in 3.8-litre form in May 1961, the Jaguar E-Type caused a veritable sensation when it first appeared, with classic smooth lines, great looks and, at the time, an amazing top speed of 150 mph.Jaguar continued to develop the E-Type throughout its life and the first results of this programme of improvements came in 1964 when the newly enlarged 4.2-litre XK engine was installed and, although maximum power remained unchanged at 265bhp, torque was usefully increased, improving driveability. Other improvements included the arrival of a fully synchronised Moss gearbox and twin SU petrol pumps. The Series 2 cars, produced from 1969 to 1971, evolved even further and can be identified by their open headlights (no longer with glass covers), a wrap-around rear bumper with the tail lights now underneath, and the front indicators were larger and similarly repositioned below the slightly heavier front bumpers. The cooling was much improved, helped by the enlarged 'mouth' and twin electric fans, while larger front and rear calipers substantially uprated the braking performance. The engine is easily identified visually by the change from smoothly polished cam covers to a ribbed appearance and the interior now featured better seats with head-rests, 'rocker' switches, and a steering-column ignition/starter. The Series 2 is often regarded in retrospect as the ultimate driving E-Type, and even now a well-sorted example is a sensational driving experience with a sense of occasion that's hard to replicate at any price in a classic car.Supplied new in June 1969 by Henlys of London, this second-series fixed head coupe is thought to be the only E-Type factory-specified in Roll-Royce Shell Grey, a colour that combined with the black leather interior suits the profile perfectly. Our vendor's late husband discovered ‘NBK 345G’ in the late 1980s and set about a comprehensive restoration including sourcing the correct paint code indicated on the Heritage Certificate. The car continued to be enjoyed for a number of years until 2006 when it was decided that it deserved a complete engine overhaul. The power unit was fully stripped and rebuilt using new parts where necessary (there are detailed invoices in the file) and has only covered c15,000 miles since. As well as the accounts for the engine work, the history folder includes MOTs dating back to 1976, correspondence from Jaguar showing the original specification including the Rolls-Royce paint code, a number of invoices for regular maintenance, the current V5 showing three former keepers, Tracker paperwork, the Heritage Certificate, and various other related documents.The Series 2 is regarded by many as the drivers' choice, the 4.2 power unit providing ample performance and, when coupled to the manual gearbox, offers an engaging driving experience. This example, an original UK RHD car specially ordered in a unique and subtle colour, clearly loved and looked after, and offered from long-term ownership, is a wonderful prospect for any collector or enthusiast.