1966 Jaguar E Type Series I 4.2 FHC

1966 Jaguar E Type Series I 4.2 Fixed Head Coupé in Opalescent Silver Grey.

Sleek and fast, Jaguar cars were the brainchild of William Lyons, who began by designing motorcycle sidecars. He set up the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1922, but by 1927 his thoughts had drifted to cars and in 1931 he launched the SS1.

The Jaguar E-Type is a British automobile legend; manufactured by Jaguar between 1961 and 1975. It combined good looks, high performance and competitive pricing that instantly captured the imagination of the British public at the time and it has remained a truly iconic piece of British motoring history since. It was voted "the most beautiful car of all time" by the Daily Telegraph in 2008 and in 2004, Sports Car International magazine placed the E-Type at number one on their list of Top Sports Cars of the decade. On the cars public release in 1961 Enzo Ferrari called it "The most beautiful car ever made".

Originally launched in 1961 with a 3.8 litre straight 6 engine, taken from the XK150S along with the gearbox, the E Type was updated in 1964, with an enlarged 4.2 litre engine, a new, all synchromesh four-speed gearbox and better brakes. As the power and usability increased, so did the comfort, as Jaguar dished the foot-wells to improve legroom and padded the dashboard in leather and vinyl.

We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptional matching numbers car.

This Jaguar has an extremely low mileage of only 33,479 miles from new!

The first owner was Mr L Sutton of Reading, Berkshire who originally acquired the car from Great Western Motors on the 7th July 1966. We understand from the historical documents that accompany the Jaguar that the E Type was exported to Lusaka in 1974 where the car then spent most of its life. Due to the dry weather conditions in Zambia the car remained virtually rust free.

Prior to export we believe the Jaguar was fitted with an upgraded exhaust system and modified cylinder head for improved performance and smoother running. Whilst in Lusaka general maintenance continued as identified by varies invoices over the period. The previous owner Mr R K Arnett of Kalulushi, Zambia acquired the car in the late seventies and continued to have it serviced and repaired locally until he returned to the UK in April 1984. Upon its return the Jaguar remained in a heated garage for several years.

It was then acquired by the current owners who then carried out a sympathetic programme of dismantling the car, carrying out a full engine and gearbox strip and rebuild, the car was then subjected to a bare metal repaint to its original colour and all bright work was refurbished as necessary, the car has been completed with:

- New factory supplied Doors

- Fitting of new outer body sills

- Re Chroming

- Full rebuild of front & rear suspension

Finished in the original manufactured colour of Opalescent Silver Grey Metallic with the cars original Red Leather interior which has a beautiful patina, complemented by chrome wire wheels the car is presented to total "Concours Standards".

An outstanding opportunity to acquire one of the very best 'E' Type Fixed Head Coupes available and without doubts this one of the most appealing Jaguar's for sale anywhere today.