Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Series 1 Roadster

The E-Type Jaguar debuted at the 1961 Geneva Motorshow as a replacement for the hugely successful Jaguar XK150. The new E-Type was nothing short of a revelation, with its heady blend of supercar performance, breath-taking styling and low price tag, the newcomer left its rivals reeling and customers desperate to own one. Designed by William Lyons and Malcolm Sayer, the E-Type was launched in 1961 in both fixed head coupe and roadster form with design inspiration taken from the Le-Mans winning D-Type sports racer. Built around a steel monocoque chassis with a front sub-frame to cradle the engine, all-round independent suspension using coil springs and dampers to the rear with torsion bars and wishbones to the front. Brakes were Dunlop discs all round, mounted inboard to the rear alongside the differential to reduce un-sprung weight. Powered by Jaguar’s XK straight six engine, the E-Type offered breath taking performance to rival both Ferrari and Aston Martin.

The first significant up-grade occurred in October 1964 with the launch of the 4.2-litre version. Along with the bigger, torquier engine came a more user-friendly gearbox with synchromesh on first gear, and a superior Lockheed brake servo. Apart from ‘4.2’ badging, the car’s external appearance was unchanged but under the skin there were numerous detail improvements, chiefly to the electrical and cooling systems, and to the seating arrangements. The Series 1.5 was only produced between 1967 and 1968 with only 2,801 roadsters being built making it one of the most collectable of all the E-Type’s in many purists eyes.

The 1968 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Series 1.5 Roadster (chassis number 1E17519) offered here at Autostorico is finished in Gunmetal Grey metallic with Black leather interior. This very original example was supplied in St. Louis, Missouri and spent most of its life in the United States, before being purchased by its current owner, the Managing Director of renowned Berkshire E-Type specialists Automo. Since returning to the UK the car has undergone a great deal of restorative work including a full mechanical overhaul and service. Other notable works have included: a bare metal respray, Engine bay detail including re-wire, suspension rebuild, carburettor rebuild, new interior and new hood.

Offered for sale with a current V5 registration document, MOT certificate valid until October 2019, Automo recent works history and Heritage Certificate.

This car offers the purchaser an opportunity to own a fine example of one for the most desirable E-Type derivatives, the Series 1.5, which will certainly appreciate further over time.

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