Sold for £70,312
(including buyers premium)
Registration No: JVW 495H
Chassis No: 1R20558
MOT: Exempt
At launch, the Malcolm Sayer-penned E-Type was the fastest production car of its time – its 3.8-litre straight six engine allowing a 0-60mph acceleration time of a whisker over seven seconds and a top speed of some 150mph. Despite this, the engine size was increased from 3.8 to 4.2 litres in October 1964 and, with the change, came a sweeter all-synchromesh gearbox, better brakes and more comfortable seats. Introduced in August 1968, the Series II version of Jaguar’s immortal E-Type sported redesigned bumpers and lights. Less noticeable was its enlarged front air intake which, in conjunction with dual cooling fans, made the newcomer better behaved in hot weather and heavy traffic. With its 4235cc DOHC straight-six engine developing a quoted 265bhp/283lbft, the Jaguar was reputedly capable of nearly 150mph and 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds. Available in open two-seater, fixed-head two-seater and fixed-head 2+2-seater guises, the American market accounted for the bulk of Series II production, with the fixed-head two-seater being the rarest of the three variants.
Chassis 1R20558 is one of just 1,071 S2 Fixed-Head Coupes supplied new in right-hand drive, having been manufactured on the 3rd December 1969 and purchased through Carlton Garage of Clacton, London (via Henlys, London) by the first owner Mr. D. Taylor Esq. Finished from the factory in the attractive colour scheme of Cream paintwork with Red leather interior upholstery, this is pleasingly the colour scheme in which it is still presented today. Understood to have been retained by Mr Taylor until the late 1970s/early 1980s, while in the second ownership, the E-Type was placed into long-term storage in 1982, not emerging until 2008 when offered for auction by us at H&H (being entered by a motor trader) and at this time requiring restoration.
Returned to the road by the purchaser, the third owner acquired ‘JVW 495H’ in 2011, covering nearly 10,000 miles in the car during this time, but unfortunately passed away suddenly in 2015. Thereafter acquired by a lifetime Jaguar enthusiast, this owner (understood as the fourth) embarked on an exhaustive restoration over the subsequent three years. Entrusted to Durham Restoration the E-Type was completely dismantled to the bare shell and all corroded areas were addressed with significant new panels supplied, including inner and outer sills, inner and outer wheel arches, a partial floor pan, rear quarter panel repairs, door skins, front wings, and front valance. The shell was prepared, primed, and the underside stone chipped in 2-pack using relevant body colour, before the paintwork was applied throughout the boot, inside floors, bulkhead, etc. Finally, the shell and all panelwork were fully painted with expert attention to detail with paint finish and panel gaps.
Mechanically fully restored, the rear suspension was stripped; the subframe and all components were overhauled refreshed and powder coated as required; the differential was refreshed with new seals; and the front suspension re-plated and coated, with even nuts and bolts etc sent for zinc plating. The engine was fully overhauled with all new bearings, pistons, timing chains, etc; the cylinder head was overhauled too with new valves, guides, and stem seals; new head studs and nuts; and a remote oil filter upgrade supplied and fitted. A new wiring harness was fitted, along with the alternator reconditioned, the radiator re-cored, new hoses fitted, and a new high-torque starter motor fitted, as well as electronic 123 ignition.
Here is where the mechanical upgrades began to be supplied to the E-Type, starting with a five-speed manual gearbox by E-Type Fabs. The braking system was upgraded with vented discs all around and six-pot alloy callipers from E-Type Fabs too. The suspension also received enhancement too, with modified front wishbones by E-Type Fabs and new springs and Koni dampers at the rear. A top of the range full stainless exhaust system (including tubular manifolds) was provided by ClassicFabs, along with 6-inch polished stainless steel wire wheels, a free-flow air filter upgrade from Rob Beere Racing, and an uprated ventilation fan completing the upgrades.
The interior was not overlooked either in the exhaustive restoration, with a full re-trim in the original colours, including new seat foams and webbing used. Furthermore, a new wool carpet set and headlining were supplied, with much of the interior upholstery supplied by the high-quality Aldridge Trimming. The sunroof, which is believed to have been fitted by Allard Golde when new or nearly new, was retrimmed in body colour, as believed correct to original too. All sound-deadening and underlay were renewed and upgraded using Dynamat insulation. Finally, fully re-assembled with new body seals and gaskets etc, all fittings and fastenings were renewed along the way.
Upon completion, some 1,000 run-in miles were completed with the cylinder head re-torqued and the E-Type serviced and fluids checked. Purchased into The Loch Lomond Collection in 2020 for £79,000; The Loch Lomond Collection is one made up of excellent examples of predominantly 1950s, '60s, and '70s classics. Seeing very sparing use while a resident of the collection, the E-Type started readily and both ran and drove well during the recent photography session, with the well-experienced vendor noting that ‘JVW 495H’ as the “best driving classic car he has ever driven!”
With invoices on file for c.£10,750 in parts alone, for the restoration, this is not inclusive of any of the exhaustive restoration work that was completed by Durham Restoration, with the total expenditure far exceeding the guide price. The end product is an excellently presented example, boasting matching chassis and engine numbers-example, as well as being a home market car in its original colour combination! Chassis 1R20558 is accompanied to the sale by a history file that includes a breakdown of the restoration work by Durham Restoration, the JHT Heritage Certificate, aforementioned parts invoices and a current V5C document. Completing just 3,000 post-restoration miles so now showing a believed genuine 72,000 miles on the odometer. This notably nicely restored E-Type is certainly not one to overlook if you are in the market for an excellently restored example, and benefitting from significant upgrades to the driving experience!
For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452
Auction: Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire, 21st May, 2025
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