1967 Jaguar E-Type 4.2-Litre Roadster

Registration no. VRT 170F. Chassis no. 1E1887. Engine no. 7E14159-9. Estimate: £32,000 - 35,000

Footnote: The first significant up-grade of Jaguar’s sensational E-Type sports car occurred in October 1964 with the launch of the 4.2-litre version. Along with the bigger, torquier engine came a more user-friendly gearbox with synchromesh on first gear, and a superior Lockheed brake servo. Apart from ‘4.2’ badging, the car’s external appearance was unchanged, but under the skin there were numerous detail improvements. These mainly concerned the cooling and electrical systems, the latter gaining an alternator and adopting the industry standard negative ground, while the interior boasted a matt black dashboard and improved seating arrangements. The top speed of around 150mph remained unchanged, the main performance gain resulting from the larger engine being improved acceleration. Like its 3.8-litre forbear, the 4.2-litre E-Type was built in roadster and coupé forms, and in 1966 gained an additional 2+2 coupé variant on a 9” longer wheelbase that was intended to extend the E-Type’s appeal beyond the traditional sports car-buying market.
In 1968 all three versions of the E-Type underwent major revision to comply with US safety and emissions legislation, emerging in ‘Series 2’ guise minus the original’s distinctive headlight covers. In addition, enlarged side and rear lights were adopted while a thickened front bumper centre section bridged a larger radiator intake. Interior changes included a collapsible steering column and rocker switches in place of the earlier toggles. From late 1967 the E-Type began to embody some of the aforementioned modifications, these interim cars coming to be known as the ‘Series 1½’ although there was never a fixed specification for this unofficial ‘model’.
Manufactured in October 1967 during this transitional period, this desirable right-hand drive ‘Series 1½’ Roadster was acquired by the present Suffolk-resident owner in April 2001, the previous owner - also from Suffolk - having acquired the car in June 1987. The accompanying history file contains 22 expired MoTs dating back to 1979 at which time mileage was 55,244. When the vendor acquired the car in 2001 the mileage stood at just over 79,000, to which he has added a further 2,000-or-so, bringing the total up to just over 81,000 currently. Finished in Ice Blue metallic with original dark blue leather interior and black hood, ‘VRT 170F’ is presented in generally excellent condition and offered with MoT to August 2009 and old/current Swansea V5/V5C documents.

Bonhams. Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia, 20 Apr 2009. RAF Museum, Hendon www.bonhams.com (Copyright © 2002-2009 Bonhams 1793 Ltd., Images and Text All Rights Reserved)