1966 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 2+2

When launched to an eager public in 1961, the new E-Type Jaguar was available in either Open Two Seater (OTS) or two-seat Fixed Head Coupé (FHC) formats, the latter having a useful opening rear door giving access to the ample luggage compartment. By the mid-1960s, the high demand for the car prompted Jaguar to offer a third option, for the driver with a young family, in the form of a 2+2 Coupé. By adding nine inches to the wheelbase and two inches in height, it was then possible to fit a rear seat capable of seating children or even two adults in tolerable comfort. With the 2+2's increased length and additional rear seats came greater headroom, more luggage space, improved heating/ventilation and optional automatic transmission.

This 1966 Series 1, is by far the prettiest of all E-Types, with the enclosed headlights, pre-US specification front and rear light assemblies, a smaller grille, and chromed winged wheel nuts. Series 1, 2+2 cars are relatively rare having been built between March 1966 and July 1967 with only 974 right-hand drive examples leaving Browns Lane.

Our vendor understands that this is an original matching numbers car (the Chassis and Engine numbers indicate a late Summer, 1966 build) and is fitted with the desirable manual gearbox. The car is in superb mechanical order and has been enjoyed by just three owners during the last half-century. It's accompanied by some history in the owner's file including a quantity of older MOT Certificates. The indicated mileage is just 13,985, which is unwarranted, but our vendor believes to be correct, and certainly, the MOT from 1981 states a mileage of just over 6,000 and we know the car has been lightly used since.

It was first registered to a Mr. Norfolk in September 1966, before being sold in 1981 to the Walters family in the West Midlands, where it remained until our vendor acquired it approximately 18 months ago.

The car presents as mostly original, with the door cards and carpets appearing to be the only things to have been replaced. The subject of a full respray some years ago in its original colour of Jaguar Dark Blue, it looks fairly smart but would benefit from some fresh paint to bring it back to its absolute best externally. Our vendor had purchased this lovely old Series 1 with this in mind but has now acquired another car that is going to take up all his time. Right-hand drive, Series 1, 2+2s are few and far between, particularly manual gearbox cars, and JJN 465D comes to market at a realistic guide to allow for some recommissioning to return this elegant Jaguar to its finest.