Nachdem wir 2013 in England in Urlaub waren wurde der Drang nach einem eigenen E-Type immer stärker. Dort hatten wir uns verschiedene Fahrzeuge angeschaut und auch namhafte Restauratoren wie Haynes oder Eagle Jaguars besucht. Eagle war überzeugend - ein Fahrzeug zu schaffen, das das Original bei weitem übertrifft - und das wird das Ziel meines Projektes sein.
Im Folgenden will ich versuchen die Historie dieses Projektes, belegt durch Photos und Erfahrungsberichte zu dokumentieren.
Die Lücken muss ich leider Stück für Stück auffüllen und dokumentiere erstmal die neuesten Arbeiten mit.
16.06.2013: So wurde das Fahrzeug von Goodman Reed im Internet angeboten:
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| Jaguar E-Type FHC Bj. 1966 |
free and correct 1966 Jaguar E-Type Series I Fixed Head Coupe. A true time capsule, this is a one owner example (original 1967 title included) that has been in dry storage for the last
30 years, having only accumulated what is believed to be 14,000 original miles from new. Ordered by an engineer from Detroit Michigan (original Detroit Red Wings sticker in the drivers quarter window) on January 9th, 1967 and delivered to him ten days later, the car was his pride and joy, purely a weekend, summer-weather driver until 1983, when a back injury forced him to hang up the keys. Still, he was reticent to part with the car, hoping for a day when a successful surgery would allow him to truly drive it again. Sadly that day never came, and the Jaguar sat in a heated barn on his property until his passing in 2012. At that point his estate put the car up for sale, and we were fortunate enough to have come across it.
Upon receiving the car in California, we had everything gone through to bring the original 4.2 Litre, matching numbers engine back to life. The gas tank was drained and removed, professionally cleaned, refinished and re-installed, the original triple SU carburetors were rebuilt and the rest of the fuel system was gone through. As shown in the photos, all three SU carburetors retain their original numbered metal tabs, something that you rarely see present and intact, even on a low mileage example. There is a paper oil and service sticker inside the drivers door jam from 1973, and while its a little faded, the sticker is perfectly intact and untouched. We have never seen or owned a Jaguar like this. We've performed work to the braking system, cooling system, exhaust system, distributer, ignition coil and wire, as well as a complete tuning and service, fixing leaks where necessary. Dormant for three decades, the original engine immediately roared to life, maintaining a consistent idle, free of smoke and with truly excellent compression. The car's original gearbox is completely solid and is free of grinding, pulling strongly through each gear. After installing a couple fuses, we were happy to find that the car's original electrical system was functioning properly. While we've only been driving the Jag sparingly, it's been a blast to have on the road and the commentary we've received at local shows and events around town have made the costly mechanical journey/process more than worthwhile.
First and foremost, upon inspection the data plate identification numbers properly match chassis and engine stamps, which all match the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate. Though the exterior has an understandable amount of patina, the car’s body has excellent panel fits and gaps and the car’s structural elements and undercarriage are all completely original and entirely solid and sound. The chrome and glass is in great original condition and the car is entirely complete. It's a matter of preference for the new owner, but we think the fog lamps that were installed when the car was purchased new are awfully cool and unique. They can easily be removed. The interior displays a faithful, patinated presentation, with all of the dash switches and the vinyl console intact, including the original working radio, speakers and wood-rimmed steering wheel. The leather seats and all of the vinyl interior panels are surprisingly supple and the headliner and carpets are in entirely presentable condition, showing their age, yes, but also the incredibly minimal amount of use they’ve received. That’s the case with virtually everything in the car: just switching the knobs, moving the seats, opening the windows, the spare tire compartment, etc. etc., everything feels entirely crisp and correct. It feels exactly like the hardly used example that it is.
As anyone who is seriously pursuing an E-Type will attest, finding strong, unmolested examples of these late Series 1 cars is becoming virtually impossible. Many have been finely restored to JCNA concours standards, making a vast majority prohibitively expensive when offered for sale. By contrast, we were thrilled to come across such a wonderfully original, honest and unrestored example. The car currently presents as an incredible, preservation class quality, weekend driver, suitable for shows and events, but it would also be considered the most solid of original, low mile platforms for a Concours-winning restoration on the market. Regardless of its next owner’s preference, we’re sure this E-Type will provide him/her with all of the same pride, joy and years of thrilling motoring that it afforded its first owner.
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