1961 Jaguar Mk2 Race Car Ex-Les Ely

Please note the bumpers are no longer included in the spares package. The rest of the spares can be delievered to Silverstone or collected from Warwickshire post-sale.

The late Les Ely was a very experienced classic car racer, closely associated with the Jaguar fraternity as a driver and engineer, the latter through his CL Panelcraft body shop. He began his career in stock-car racing with a Singer Gazelle, soon progressing to Hot Rods and becoming East Anglian Champion in 1975. After a decade of racing Minis on the ovals, he 'discovered' long circuit racing when he acquired a Jaguar Mk2 from Rob Newall.

After scoring his first race win at Castle Combe in 1986, Les topped the table in numerous Jaguar Drivers' Club championships and frequently won awards for best prepared Jaguar. Subsequently, he tackled FIA Historic events throughout Europe and, although best known for his successes in the Mk2 and E-Types, his later exploits in his BMW 2000Ti and others continued to bring in the silverware.

6VTW played a major part in Les' racing life, with many class wins and much success in club and international race meetings at Brands Hatch, Donnington Park, Silverstone Festival (formerly the Silverstone Classic), Goodwood Revival, Spa and the Nürburgring, where it achieved the circuit lap record in 1998.

In the interests of clarity, although registered as 6 VTW for most of its life, it appears that the owner prior to our vendor transferred the plate and the car is currently registered, 596 XUX. The illustrated registration number, 6 VTW, is not included in the sale. Although it was FIA and HTCC-papered in the past, those have now lapsed but could be renewed with a bit of research..

This venerable Mk2 has been privately owned by a renowned Jaguar specialist for many years and has undergone a complete overhaul and refurbishment since its final outing at the Silverstone Classic in 2010. It has undoubtedly been a 'labour of love' over the last ten years and, as you can see from our images, the results are certainly impressive.

The work included;

• Full repaint in Jaguar Pearl Grey including underbody and interior metalwork
• An all-aluminium bonnet with louvered vents, boot lid and door casing were handmade for the vehicle to further reduce weight
• New laminated windscreen, Perspex rear screen with retaining brackets, and side windows with driver’s porthole
• The engine bay has been modified to enhance cooling and repainted in pearl grey
• Fitted with a Peter Lander/Sigma Engineering 300bhp engine
• Whilst the engine was removed, full assessment was made and an upgraded oil pump fitted
• All hoses and clips replaced to racing standard
• Gearbox tested and checked, front and rear axle removed and upgraded with new bushes and mountings
• Competition adjustable shocks fitted all round
• Large-bore stainless steel exhaust with extractor six-branch manifold fitted.
• Upgraded fuel system with new twin Facet electric pumps and fuel lines. Malpassi fuel filter and pressure regulator fitted. Foam-filled alloy fuel tank
• Competition front and rear brake callipers
• Fitted 6" Minilite wheels with Dunlop 204 racing tyres
• Wooden dash faces were replaced with aluminium as in the lightweight E-Type
• New 3-speed wiper motor, cables, arms and blades repositioned in cockpit with screen washer bottle
• New electric temperature-controlled coolant fan with override switch and warning light
• Fitted with upgraded high-output headlamps
• Twin water temperature and oil pressure gauges fitted

Ready to start the new race season, this famous Jaguar is offered with a number of spares including wheels, tyres, brake callipers, bumpers and exhaust manifolds.

N.B. The passenger seat illustrated was a temporary addition and does not form part of the sale.