1965 Jaguar E-Type Series I 4.2 FHC

This really exceptional E-Type has just been completed after a four-year ground up restoration. Chassis #20746 is a "numbers matching' UK car which had an engine replacement by Jaguar within its first 12 months. It has a heritage certificate recording this. It comes with extensive history, an eye-watering invoice file and the original buff log book. The first owner of this lovely Jaguar was famed 60's comedian, Charlie Drake, best known for his TV shows "Charlie Drake In...' and "The Charlie Drake Show', or perhaps best remembered for his opening catchphrase "Hello, my darlings!"

The restoration of this car has not been completed to a true concours standard as the intention was to build a smart and usable E-Type which, when professionally sorted, would be reliable and fun to use. Unfortunately, some short time before the end of the restoration, the vendor's situation changed and the car must now be offered for sale with just a few hundred miles completed since the restoration. The car is reported to be running very well, but she needs to continue to be run-in up to the 1,000 mile mark, so potential buyers are advised to take it easy for the first few hundred miles.

All aspects of this car were renewed or refurbished. Invoices for new parts alone amount to over £15,000 and more than 200 photographs in the history file document the restoration. The body shell was taken back to bare metal with glass and trim out and doors off. It was subject to a full re-spray in the red paint you see, including the underside. At this time it was also fully insulated by Dynamat to reduce interior temperatures.

The six-cylinder, 4.2 litre engine was fully rebuilt by VSE, Jaguar Engine Specialists of Powys. Major cooling upgrades, electronic ignition and a new fuel pump were fitted, the carburettors overhauled, a stainless steel exhaust fitted and a six branch manifold was also fitted. By the auction, the standard air box will be refitted to the car.

The gearbox and rear axle were stripped and refurbished and a new clutch and cylinder fitted. The brakes were fully overhauled, including an upgrade to 4-pot calipers and copper brake lines. The suspension was stripped and rebuilt, fitted with new poly bushes, new Spax adjustable shocks and springs, and finally a new steering rack was fitted. The wheels and tyres are new with 6" chrome wire wheels and correct 205 profile tyres.

The interior, which is finished in black leather, has been fully refurbished making it a very pleasant place to be and all the gauges and switches have been restored or renewed. E-Type cabins are renowned for becoming very warm, particularly on long journeys, so the body-coloured Webasto roof offers some relief from this. The electrics all behave and work as they should thanks to a new wiring loom and upgraded headlights have been fitted.Sold with current MoT test certificate and V5C registration document, this is a very sensibly priced and masterfully restored E-Type that could cost significantly more than the guide-price to undertake again.