Fantasy Junction

Description

1966 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
s/n 1E12966 engine no. 7R36672-9
Black with Black 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 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, 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 Series I 4.2 liter cars are widely considered to be the pick of the bunch.

This particular car has known history back to the early 1980s, when it was owned by a fellow in Canada. A woman in Minnesota bought the car in 1985, eventually moving to Oregon. The car was black when she acquired it, although it was originally primrose. The engine was rebuilt during this period (about 20,000 miles ago) and there are extensive service records showing regular maintenance. The car’s current owner purchased it in 1993 and has continuously maintained it, fitting a new clutch, rebuilding the transmission, front suspension, and brakes. A new master cylinder and brake booster were fitted, the shocks were rebushed and repainted, the interior retrimmed as necessary, and a new top fitted. The engine compartment was detailed, with the subframe and inner bonnet being repainted. The rear subframe was removed and rebuilt as necessary. A new fuel pump and exhaust system were also fitted. A new tool bag was procured and the car is very complete with hard top, tool bag with tools, jack bag with jack, book set, grease gun and Dunlop tin for brake bleeding hose.

The car is in very good cosmetic condition. The paintwork is outstanding for being over twenty years old, with minor wear only. There are some light scratches, a crack in the paint by the trunk aperture, and a mark from the seal for the hard top. There is a handful of small chips on the front of the car from road use. The right door has a few small dents and an area of bubbling at the bottom the size of a penny. The body is straight otherwise and has good gaps and panel operation. The chrome is very good, with some minor scratching and no pitting. The top is excellent and has never been down since being installed in 2008. The lights are in excellent condition and the glass is good, with light wear to the windscreen from road use, and some scratches in the side windows.

The interior is extremely nice. The dashboard and center console were recently retrimmed and are excellent. The carpets are very good and the instruments and switches are correct and in fine shape throughout, as are the door panels. A wood shift knob is fitted and the original black item is included with the car. The iconic steering wheel is in excellent unrestored condition. The leather on the seats in great shape, with a small amount of patina but strong overall presentation. The clear surround of the light switch has some cracks. The car comes with a pair of original visors and a pair of new visors, neither of which is currently installed because the car’s owner is tall and they would otherwise interfere with his line of sight.

The engine is exceptionally clean. The correct Champion spark plug leads are in place, as is the correct gold finish on the cylinder head. Both the block and head have matching numbers. The serial numbers indicate they are from a June of 1969 production. The valve covers, triple SU carburetors and engine components are correct for this Series I covered headlight car. The chassis plate has been stamped to match the engine number.

The trunk has been trimmed in black carpet to match the interior. The trunk floor sheetmetal is extremely solid and the car has its correct spare. The undercarriage is in nice unrestored condition. The suspension and driveline are correct in appearance and quite clean for a regularly-driven example. The floors are in very good shape, being impressively solid throughout. The foot boxes appear to have been replaced in the past.

The car runs and drives very well. The choke works correctly and the car starts easily and idles well. The engine is responsive and powerful, and is well-tuned. The clutch works effectively and positively, and the brakes work exactly as they should, with good pedal feel and bite. The gearbox is excellent, with the welcome addition of synchromesh compared to the 3.8 liter cars. The chassis is composed, the steering tight, and the suspension properly sprung and damped. The driving experience is coherent and reminds the driver that Jaguar once produced sports cars that were directly descended from Le Mans winning race cars.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a lovely 4.2 liter Series I E-Type Roadster. An attractively presented car that is ready to enjoy, this E-Type is a very nice driver that is complete with tools, books, and service records back to the early 1980s. The records show an indicated mileage of 56,000 in 1982, and support the gradual accumulation to its current reading of 89,000. 15,000 of those miles have been accumulated since the current owner purchased the car in 1993, ensuring that the car has been regularly enjoyed and is less likely to suffer from the problems associated with cars that sit. Indeed, this car’s excellent driving experience and attractive but not perfect cosmetic condition make it a perfect example to use and enjoy frequently.

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.

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