Fantasy Junction

Description

1965 Jaguar E-Type Fixed Head Coupe
s/n 1E31247, engine no. 7E4558-9
Metallic Grey with Red Leather Interior

The E-Type was unveiled in March of 1961 at the Geneva Motor Show, following the famous 11th hour disorder (one of the cars was driven to the show from England with just hours to spare). The car was an immediate sensation: its specification was state of the art, its bodywork arrestingly gorgeous, and the price surprisingly affordable. It embodied William Lyons' values beautifully and it is no surprise that the E-Type has become such a legendary part of automotive history. The specification clearly demonstrated Jaguar's racing experience and included semi-monocoque construction, independent suspension all around (at a time when Ferrari was still using live rear axles), disc brakes all around (inboard at the rear to reduce unsprung weight), and of course Jaguar's legendary twin cam inline-6. The cars were continuously developed, however, the arrival of American safety legislation and the twelve cylinder engine made later cars less attractive and less sporting, making the Series I cars the pick of the bunch. The Series I was continuously developed, with the addition of 4.2 liter engine and fully synchronized gearboxes for 1965. Later cars, particularly in the United States, had safety and emissions equipment that negatively influenced both performance and aesthetics, so these covered headlight Series I 4.2 liter cars are widely considered to be the pick of the bunch.

This particular car is an absolutely fantastic example. A three-owner car from new with matching numbers, it has been comprehensively restored to concours winning standards, is superbly sorted, and extremely complete. Completed 21 June 1965, this car was originally Carmen red with beige intiror. It was supplied to Jaguar Cars in New York and sold new to Louis J. Hegedus of Austell, Georgia. He kept the car for 35 years until 2000. It had fallen into disuse by that time and was purchased as a project by its second owner in North Carolina, who intended to restore it but never got round to it, and its current owner purchased it in May 2011 and promptly set about having the car restored from the ground up.

The work was substantially performed by Images Autobody in Campbell, California, a well-known Jaguar specialist that routinely turns out award-winning E-Type restorations. The car was completely disassembled and the restoration included every mechanical and cosmetic aspect of the car. The body was restored in its entirety, the engine completely rebuilt Dave Russ, including new short skirt lightweight pistons, new bearings, new valves, new guides, new valve springs, polished crank, refurbished connecting rods, new timing chains, rebuilt distributor, and new water pump. The motor was balanced, the ancillaries rebuilt, and an aluminum radiator with CoolCat electric fnas fitted (the original steel radiator, restored, is included as are the original fans and motors). A stainless steel expansion tank was also fitted (finished as original so it is visually correct), as was a Pertronics electronic ignition system. A spin on oil filter conversion was installed, as were Wilwood front brake calipers. A 5-speed Medatronics gearbox and lightweight alloy flywheel were also fitted, and the original gearbox comes with the car. The suspension and driveline were also rebuilt, including rear end, steering rack, ball joints, tie rod ends, polyurethane suspension bushings, complete brake system, and hydraulics. All cosmetics were addressed as well, including chrome, glass as required, weather stripping, lights, and lenses. New wide center-laced (as on Borrani wheels) Dayton wire wheels were fitted as well. The interior was also completely redone, down to the chrome trim around the choke lever, in addition to more substantial items like the carpets, headliner, and leather trim.

Following its restoration, the car has been shown three times, winning first at the Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance in 2012, first at the Sacramento Jaguar Concours d’Elegance, and second at the Concours on the Avenue in Carmel in August of 2012. The car was also featured on the cover of the E-Type club publication in January 2013. Additionally, the car has accumulated more than 5000 miles since the restoration and has seen a further $15,000 in sorting work at Steve Gordon’s Vintage Auto Service including tuning, concours preparation, new clutch master cylinder, new front brake pads, calibration to the oil and water temperature gauges, miscellaneous electrical fixes, and adjustments to provide more headroom including thinner bottom seat cushions and removed slider rails, which can be reinstalled in about 20 minutes.

The car is extremely complete including two original keys, Heritage Certificate, jack, tool roll with tools, spare fan belt, brake bleed tin, Thor hammer, cam adjuster tool, Tacalami grease gun, manual in correct pouch, stock fan, 4-speed shift knob, original gearbox, seat adjusters, transmission underbody trim plate, brake backing plates (removed to accommodate Wilwood calipers), stock oil filter housing, and original steel radiator, which was restored.

The car is of course cosmetically excellent. The body is straight and has excellent fit and gaps. The paint was performed to high standards and is essentially unmarked. The undercarriage is in superb highly detailed condition, as to be expected from a restoration of this caliber and thoroughness. The chrome is excellent as well, as are the lights and glass. The wide wheels give the car a purposeful stance and it sits on Blockley tires. The front windscreen was replaced and the correct Triplex etching was even added to it.

The interior is equally nice, with high quality materials and workmanship throughout. The interior presents essentially as new, with excellent attention to detail, down to the chrome escutcheons, and correct Jaguar molded rubber floor mats. The carpets are high quality wool, and the dashboard is beautifully restored, including gauges, switches, labels, and bezels. The wood steering wheel is also beautifully restored, and correct new broadcloth headliner and sun visors were fitted. The luggage compartment was treated in a similar fashion and the spare tire well is spotless.

The engine compartment is also in superb, award-winning condition. The engine itself is thoroughly and correctly restored, with polished valve cover, intake plenum, and carburetor float bowls. The correct hammertone paint is present on the air filter housing and radiator expansion tank, and the correct Champion spark plug leads are also installed. The heater box is thoroughly restored as well. Both the cylinder head and block are matching and original to the car. The battery has the correct appearance of a vintage Lucas battery but has modern internal and a cut off switch. The engine, chassis, suspension, and interior of the bonnet are all detailed to high standards.

The car is a pleasure to drive with eager, well-tuned engine that is exceptionally responsive thanks to the lightweight flywheel and internal reciprocating parts, as well as the fact that the engine has been balanced. It starts easily and the choke functions correctly. The carburetion is eager and the motor revs and pulls enthusiastically. The gearbox is a pleasure to use, with a slick, modern feel and tall fifth gear that provides very relaxed cruising at speed. The remaining gear ratios are well-suited to the torquey motor, providing performance that is exciting and usable. The chassis, steering, and suspension are tight and responsive, giving the driver to the confidence to drive swiftly. The polyurethane bushings do make for some chassis noise. The brakes are effective and display good bite.

This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire what must be one of the finest E-Type Coupes in existence. Restored to award-winning standards but also thoroughly sorted mechanically, this car is also thoughtfully but subtly upgraded to enhance its usability. With just three-owners and its original cylinder head, block, and gearbox, the car also has excellent provenance, while its level of completeness is very impressive as well. It is extremely well-documented with a thick file of restoration and sorting invoices, as well as judging sheets, and issue of the club publication in which it was featured, nearly 100 photos from the restoration, and Heritage Certificate.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

Inquire About This Car

Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608