JAGUAR E-TYPE S2 DHC / ROADSTER LHD. UK taxes paid, MoT

 

JAGUAR S2 DHC

Built in Coventry. supplied new to California USA in 1971.

Having lived the first 42 years of it's life in the sunny dry climate of Marina del Rey this pretty E-Type S2 was repatriated to the UK earlier this year.

The car was originally Gunmetal grey but at some time in history someone has preferred a colour change (or being that this was in the USA should that be “color change” ) to white.

So. we've all seen that lots of E-types have been imported from the USA over the years. some of them have been really nice straight original cars others have been pretty much horror stories. which one is this?

Well it's very much the former. Nice straight original panel work. sills that 'ring' when you tap them. No corrosion in the chassis rails or scuttle ends. Doors & a boot lid that actually fit & even dent free bumpers!

This is a nice old car. it's not immaculate – but then its not £80K!

So what about the detail condition?

The body is. as I say very straight. we have replaced the drop-in footwells at the front. that fit inside the floor panels – they had pin-holes of corrosion in them & someone had attempted a 'joke' repair so we simply cut them out & replaced them with nice new Robey panels.

The rest of the body is extremely good. the rear wheel arches have a nice 'sharp' edge to them & a correct lip that runs all the way round to the boot floor. The doors still have the original riveted on water drain covers at the bottom of the skin. The paint has quite a few marks & chips but it shines well & the overall effect is impressive.

The interior is not restored. the original seats have a lovely patina to them. the kick panels. door panels & centre console are all gently worn & have a lived-in look. The carpets are frankly. quite scruffy! But all the details are there. all the little chrome fixtures & fittings. all the original knobs & buttons that are so often missing or damaged – everything is present & correct which gives this car a real integrity – a feeling of being a car rather than a collection of parts (sorry am I drifting off the point? I don't think so but maybe you do!)

Under the bonnet is similarly complete. it has had the front frames & chassis rails painted with silver Hammerite(!) which kind of spoils it a bit. but everything is there. happy & functioning.

The engine is strong with excellent oil pressure. it pulls well with a healthy burble from the exhaust. The gearbox is smooth with no whines or nasty noises. The car drives straight & the brakes pull up straight & smooth. It's one of those cars that when you get in it you really do feel as if you could drive off anywhere with no fuss.

All the gauges work. the temperature sits on the 'N' or normal. the oil pressure reads a constant 50+ PSI the battery gauge shows the alternator is charging happily. the fuel gauge (& even the low level light) work as they should. The heater heats. the blower blows. the wipers wipe & all's well with the world.

Being a S2 it does have the lower ratio diff. so the sprint times 0-60 are very impressive!

It does not however have the Stromberg carburettors. it has been converted to the correct triple SU set up – that's genuine E-type ones with the manual choke – not 420G ones with the electric version.

I would describe this as a very straight. original. friendly. honest old car.

The car has a UK MoT & is registered to me. I have the V5 logbook here.

There are very few 'budget' E-types around these days. most are well restored & £60-70-80K some are poorly restored & are being sold by chancers & wide boys at silly asking prices. This car is. I believe. the cheapest usable E-type DHC on the market today. not because its in any way a bad car but because it could do with an element of improvement to bring it up to the very high standards that today's well-heeled owners expect & demand.

I see this E-type as either an occasional use summer car with very attractive investment potential to be kept & used as-is. or as a basis for superb quality rebuild to a very high standard.

Come & see it. drive it. then you tell me what you think.

HAPPY BIDDING & GOOD LUCK

Phil Leeson.

HERITAGE CAR CO

2 MALT KILNS
MILL STREET
NORTON
MALTON

NORTH YORKSHIRE

YO17 9HW

01653 690100  8am-6pm

Oh. the price?

The car will be advertised elsewhere for £36. 00

I am pretty firm on this as I think it is a real bargain
I am however willing to talk. & I may take a part exchange
But that depends on what you've got.

PS. We professionally restore. maintain. repair & generally lavish love & attention on classic motor cars of all types & marques but mainly Jaguars & have done for the last 30odd years. We do not normally sell cars. so this E-type is a bit of a one-off.

Give me a call & I'll give you any further information you need.

Cheers
Phil

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