1970 Jaguar E-Type Series III 4.2 2+2

Lot details
Registration No: GPF863J
Chassis No: 1W70001

- Originally dispatched to the Jaguar Cars Ltd Experimental Department

- The only left-hand drive Series III 2+2-seater to be built with a 4.2-litre XK engine

- Referred to by Jaguar Enthusiast magazine as 'A Ghost of an E-Type' and 'the one missing link' (August 2017 issue)

- Featured in Classic and Sportscar magazine January 2018 issue.

Reconfiguring the E-Type to house Jaguar's freshly-designed V12 powerplant was no easy feat. As well as a change in bulkhead and front subframe, the Series 3 gained revised steering, brake and suspension assemblies, plus a host of bodywork and interior amendments. With the new engine representing a relative leap into the unknown and the XK unit having a loyal following courtesy of its five Le Mans 24-hours victories, Jaguar engineered the Series 3 to accept both. Nevertheless, it is now understood that this is the first and only lefthand drive Series 3 Coupe ever fitted with an XK engine, making it unique and the rarest of all E-Type variants!

Presumed lost for many years and referred to as 'A Ghost of an E-Type' and 'the one missing link' by Jaguar Enthusiast magazine, it is wrongly listed on various websites as chassis number 1S70001 or 1W700001. In fact, the number clearly stamped into the chassis plate reads '1W70001', and the car would most likely have been identified as such long ago had it not formed part of music producer Pete Waterman's private collection from the late 1980s to Autumn last year. Waterman's a long-term Jaguar enthusiast whose stable has included C- and D-Types as well as other significant E-Types, and he acquired the Series 3 via marque specialist Lynx.

The salient points of a letter published in the December 1980 issue of Jaguar Driver magazine by the then owner James Johnson of Brooklyn, New York outline its early history:

'The car is original and concours save for a new paint job, carpeting and exhaust system. Its won second and third prizes in Empire Division Jaguar Club Concours. The only work needed is having the engine paintwork detailed. After purchasing the car I became interested in its history and confirming my suspicions it was extremely rare, so wrote to Mr Bob Lewis at Jaguar Service, Radford, who responded through Cindt Greico at Jaguar Rover Triumph in Leonia, New Jersey. It seems this crossed the desk of Mr Graham W Gardener, Manager - Engineering Liaison of JRT in Leonia - who wrote to me personally. Mr Lewis confirmed the car is what I thought it to be. Mr Gardener told me it is the Series 3 E-Type 6-cylinder imported by JRT Leonia into the US and was used to obtain certification for the 4.2 litre engine for the 1971 model year. Its York air conditioning compressor is unique, as Delco-Air compressors were normally used. Mr Gardener stated that at c.10,000 miles he sold the car to a used car dealership in Queens, New York City. The next owner added 17,000 miles before passing away, at which point his wife wrapped the car in plastic and dry stored it for five years. Unfortunately, the plastic discoloured and mottled the paint, which peeled off with the cover during my purchase.'

The next keeper was marque enthusiast (and former Works D-Type 'OKV 2' owner) Godfrey Miller, who later passed it on to Guy Black of Lynx. A windscreen sticker suggests it remained in the US until at least 1986 and, although not warranted, its present odometer reading of 53,807 miles is highly credible.

Carefully dry stored during Mr Waterman's custodianship, chassis 1W70001 has been recommissioned and repainted in recent years but remains notably original. The accompanying Production Record Trace Certificate lists the Date of Manufacture as 'Not Recorded', but confirms that the 2+2-seater was initially finished in Warwick Grey with Red upholstery and built for 'Jaguar Cars Ltd Experimental Dept'. A great Jaguar with great history that can only become more significant with time.