Fantasy Junction

Description

1967 Jaguar E-Type Coupe
s/n 1E34239, Engine no. 7E12215-9
British Racing Green with Biscuit 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 evolved over the years, however, the arrival of American safety legislation and the twelve cylinder engine made later cars less attractive and less sporting. The Series I cars were continuously developed, with the addition of 4.2 liter engine and fully synchronized gearboxes for 1965. Therefore, the pick of the bunch is almost universally considered to be the late Series I.

This particular car is a late Series I example, a so-called Series 1.25, which is identical to the Series I other than the elimination of covered headlamps. Unlike the Series 1.5 cars, which had dual Stromberg carburetors, later style valve covers, column-mounted ignition switch, rocker switches, and recessed interior door release handles, the Series 1.25 retains all Series I traits including triple SU carburetors, button-actuated starter, and toggle switches.

The car was completed on the 2nd of February 1967, and dispatched to Jaguar Cars, New York, who sold it new to Benjamin Rader of Newark, Ohio. He retained the car until the 13th of August 1971, when he sold it to Phillip Boyd of Marion, Ohio. Boyd retained the car until the 17th of July 1989, at which time the car was showing 38,151 miles from new. Its next owner was Russell Haehn of Canfield, Ohio, who set about restoring the car between August of 1989 and February of 1992. Its next owner, George Arthur of Naperville, Illinois, and later Stillwater Minnesota, purchased the car on the 29th of April 1997, at which time the car showed 39,754 miles. He retained the car until its current California owner purchased it in 2012 with an indicated mileage of 49,000 miles. Arthur maintained and serviced the car carefully during his ownership, and it is clear that he was an enthusiastic steward of the car.

The car is a structurally exemplary matching-numbers example that was changed from its original primrose on black color combination to the classic British racing green on biscuit combination when it was restored. The car was completely stripped and there is no evidence visible anywhere of the original yellow. The car was used sparingly in inclement weather based on the originality and superb condition of the undercarriage, despite having spent almost all of its life in the Midwest. The restoration cost more than $62,000, with extremely fastidious attention to detail and an eye for correctness. For example, correct Cheney hose clamps were used and each clamp and fastener was bead blasted and replated with correct cadmium finish. A great deal of attention went into colors and finishes as well, with correct hammertone grey on the air cleaner, and dark grey finish to the shock absorbers and wiper motor. The engine was rebuilt as required, which only necessitated the freshening of the cylinder head. Original cross hatching was still present in the bore, so the bottom end was not rebuilt. The engine appeared never to have been apart, supporting the indicated mileage of 38,151 as correct from new. The ancillaries (alternator, starter, carburetors) and motors (engine and heater fans) were rebuilt as well. Dayton wire wheels employing stainless spokes and hubs but visually identical to the original wheels were used. The body was completely stripped and found to be rust- and accident-free. It was refinished with 20 coats of DuPont lacquer.

Cosmetically, the car is attractive, with nice quality paint over straight panels. Its condition is very impressive considering the age of the restoration. The paint has very few blemishes, and aside from some swirl marks that would respond well to sympathetic paint correction, it makes a strong impression. The panel fit is generally very good. The undercarriage is exceedingly solid and appears to be entirely original, including spot welds on the rockers. The chrome trim is very good to excellent, with surface swirls only and no pitting. The lights and glass are similarly nice, with a few small marks in the windscreen but no other significant issues. The car has Lucas headlamps. The rubber is generally excellent aside from some cracking to the front windscreen seal.

The interior is in excellent condition and is very correct as well. The leather is excellent, as are the wool carpets. The dashboard, switches, controls, and instruments are all excellent and correct. The radio is a vintage Blaupunkt and there are no significant departures from how the interior would have originally been trimmed from jaguar. The correct material on the kick panels has been fitted, and the headliner is excellent wool broadcloth. The steering wheel is in beautiful shape, with a pleasant not too glossy finish to the varnish which is often seen in restored E-Types. The load space was nicely redone to match the rest of the interior and the area beneath the trunk floor is equally nice.

The engine compartment is very clean and correct in its presentation. It is not detailed for show, but it is much closer than most cars that are regularly driven. The polished metal components are excellent, and the components and finishes are correct throughout, from the radiator shroud to the windscreen washer reservoir to the alternator and heat shield. As is commonly the case on XK engines, the finish on the exhaust manifolds is peeling. The subframe is quite clean and the suspension components are presentable.

The car is a pleasure to drive. The engine starts easily and is well-tuned, making good power and torque, in addition to great noise. The clutch takes up positively and the gearbox shifts well. The chassis and suspension are tight and coherent, and the correctly sized 185 section tires make the steering light and communicative. The brakes are effective although they seem slow to release, suggesting that new soft lines may be in order.

This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a wonderful E-Type coupe. A cosmetically attractive example that was correctly restored to high standards, it is impressively fresh considering the age of the restoration, which is a testament to the quality of the work. Additionally, the car is a low-mileage, matching-numbers example that is well-documented and has known history from new, with few relatively long term owners. It is also very complete, with Heritage Certificate, service records, photos from the restoration, original and complete books set, jack bag with jack, tool roll with tools, and a few small spare parts. The car has an impressive list of difficult to find characteristics, and will appeal to the owner for whom structural integrity, low mileage, provenance, and completeness are important.

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