1969 Jaguar E Type Series II 2+2

When launched to an eager public in 1961, the new E-Type Jaguar was available in either two seat open sports or two seat fixed head coupé 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 two adults in tolerable comfort. Of course, the rear seat was more suited to children or, as 'The Motor' put it at the time, the car could 'extend Dad's youth for another seven years'. The longer wheelbase also had the added benefit of allowing Jaguar to mate a Borg-Warner automatic transmission to the 4.2-litre engine, thereby further widening the appeal of the E-type.

Series 2 Jaguar E-Types were produced from 1968 to 1971 and can be identified by their open headlights that no longer have glass covers, a wrap-around rear bumper, re-positioned and larger front indicators that were moved under the heavier bumpers and similarly repositioned tail lights. Cooling is much improved helped by the enlarged "mouth', the new cars also featured twin electric fans and finally benefited from uprated brakes that actually stopped the car!. The engine is easily identified by the change from smooth polished cam covers to ones with a ribbed appearance, however,the original triple SU carburettors remain. The interior and dashboard were also redesigned with flick switches being substituted by rocker switches to meet U.S regulations.

Imported from California in 1993, SRY 479G is a striking 2+2, Series2 Fixed Head Coupé and has been with its owner ever since. It's a matching numbers car and comes with a Heritage Certificate to confirm its authenticity. The car was the subject of a meticulous nut and bolt rebuild to the original factory specification over a 15 year period, using mainly new-old-stock parts tracked down from all over the country to keep the build as pure as possible. The Jaguar sits on a set of pristine chrome wire wheels fitted with, period correct, Dunlop Sport Tyres, and finished in a special order Metallic Silver paint, looks amazing. The long-term restoration was obviously fastidious and every nook and cranny on the car has been carefully detailed. An 8-Track Cassette player sits where it always has and the focus on period authenticity is enhanced by the correct tool kit, jack, and appropriate handbooks and manuals.

Having been restored to a Concours standard, it must have been particularly satisfying that the car was the winner of the international E-Type Concours d'Elegance at Prescott in 2008 and was the first to win all three awards, Best E-Type, Endeavour Award, and Car of the Day. Also in 2008, SRY competed in the JDC Championship at the NEC and just missed first place by only 10 points.

This lovely car has been cared for and cossetted since its Concours heyday, and remains in superb condition. Could this be one of the best available on the market today?