Reasonable Offers Encouraged
Founded as the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1922, by two motorcycle enthusiasts, William Lyons and William Walmsley, the SS Jaguar name first appeared on a 2.5 litre saloon in 1935. The Jaguar name was given to the entire company in 1945 when the SS was dropped due to lack of popularity from WWII.
Jaguar made its name in the 1950s with a series of elegantly-styled sports cars and luxury saloons. The company bought the Daimler Motor Company (not to be confused with Daimler-Benz), in 1960 from Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA). From the late 1960s, Daimler was used as a brand name for Jaguar's most luxurious saloons.The Jaguar company started production with the pre-war 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 litre models which used engines designed by the Standard Motor Company. The 1.5 litre four-cylinder engine was still supplied by Standard but the two larger six-cylinder ones were made in house. These cars have become known unofficially as Mark IVs. The first post war model was the 1948 Mark V available with either 2.5 or 3.5 litre engines and had a more streamlined appearance than pre-war models, but more important was the change to independent front suspension and hydraulic brakes. The big breakthrough was the launch in 1948 of the XK120 sports car, with the new XK twin overhead camshaft (DOHC) 3.5 litre hemi-head six-cylinder engine designed by William Heynes, Walter Hassan and Claude Baily. This engine had been designed during the long nights during the war when they would be on fire watch in the factory. After several attempts a final design was arrived at. That is until owner William Lyons said "make it quieter". The car had originally been intended as a short production model of about 200 vehicles as a test bed for the new engine until its intended home, the new Mark VII saloon, was ready. The XK120's reception was such that production continued until 1954; it was followed by the XK140, the XK150, and the E-Type, keeping Jaguar in the sports car market.
The E-type was initially designed and shown to the public as a grand tourerin two seater coupé form (FHC or Fixed Head Coupe) and as convertible (OTS or Open Two Seater). The model was made in 3 distinct versions generally referred to as "Series 1", "Series 2" and "Series 3". A transitional series between Series 1 and Series 2 is known unofficially as "Series 1½". Series 2 cars such as this one feature Open headlights without glass covers (Earlier cars had problems with misting, despite gaskets), a wrap-around rear bumper, re-positioned and larger front indicators and taillights below the bumpers, better cooling aided by an enlarged "mouth" and twin electric fans, and uprated brakes are hallmarks of Series 2 cars. De-tuned in US, but still with triple SUs in the UK, the engine is easily identified visually by the change from smooth polished cam covers to a more industrial 'ribbed' appearance. Late Series 1½ cars also had ribbed cam covers. The interior and dashboard were also redesigned, with flick switches being substituted for rocker switches that met U.S health and safety regulations. The dashboard switches also lost their symmetrical layout. New seats were fitted, which purists claim lacked the style of the originals but were certainly more comfortable. Air conditioning and power steering were available as factory options. It was available in FHC, OTS, and 2+2 versions. The E type is generally considered one of the seminal sports car designs of all time, in fact it was displayed in the Museum of Modern Art due to its stunning lines. No collection is complete without an E type.
This exceptional example was purchased by the current owner in 2003 from the original owners estate. The car had been sitting for a while, so the process of restoring the car mechanically was begun. Pretty much everything was rebuilt over the next few years-Brakes, Rear End, Clutch/Slave Cylinder, Suspension, Carburators, Gas Tank Reconditioned, New Aluminum Radiator Installed, U Joints replaced, New Head Gasket installed, Fuel Pump, Electronic Ignition Added, and more. Then last year the car was sent to a professional shop for repainting. As anyone who knows these cars is aware, it isnt until one disassembles an E type that one discovers the true condition of the body. This car was no different and the floor boards, left rear wheel well and the rockers were replaced with correct new panels from England. The Chrome was replated, New Wire Wheels installed with Red Line Radials, New Top and Boot, and all rubbers were replaced with correct parts. A new Stainless Steel Exhaust was installed. During this process the pesky copper Heater Lines were replaced with Stainless Steel lines and the heater core was rebuilt as well. This is a fully sorted car that runs and drives without fault- a car that can be pressed into immediate service without any concerns about reliability or hidden problems.
If you are looking for a well sorted Series II OTS I think you will be hard pressed to find a finer example or one with the history and provenance of this lovely car.
