Jaguar E-Type S2 Roadster

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THE NUMBER STAMPED ON THE ENGINE IN THIS CAR IS 7A314410-8 AND IS PROBABLY 8:1 COMPRESSION, NOT 9:1 AS STATED IN THE CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION

Although die-hard E-Type aficionados will always claim that the Series 1 is the car to have, in the real world there is no doubt that the Series 2, launched in October 1968, is the better car to drive. Visually distinguished by its slightly higher, uncowled front headlights, wider front grille and different tail lights, it had twin fans for better cooling, an all-synchro gearbox, better seats, improved switchgear, collapsible steeing column and slightly more room in the cabin. Power still came from the same magnificent 265bhp 4.2-litre triple-carb XK engine which endowed the car with a top speed in excess of 125mph.

Dating from 1969, this particular car was exported new to America but returned to these shores in the early 1990s when it was acquired by the current vendor. In 1997 he embarked on a total nut-and-bolt rebuild which was to take seven years to complete. Every single part of the car has been renewed or rebuilt as necessary. The base monocoque was sent to Jaguar specialist Martin Robey to be professionally rebuilt on a jig. The owner and his son, both accomplished engineers in their own right, then repanelled the entire car using new body panels also supplied by Martin Robey. The centre bonnet panel and the boot lid are virtually the only parts that remain of the original car – everything else is new.

The original engine was in poor shape so a replacement 9:1 compression unit was obtained and fully rebuilt by gifted engineer and former F1 driver, Geoff Richardson of Hartlebury. The extent of the other work is too detailed to chart in full but includes: all new glass; rebuilt suspension and steering; new braking system; rebuilt propshaft; new wiring loom; upgraded cooling system; retrimmed interior; all new chrome; new hood; new chrome wire wheels and Dunlop tyres; electronic ignition etc.

Since the work was completed in 2003 the car has covered less than 100 miles, mainly on occasional trips to the MOT station, and is effectively still running in. The car fired up instantly and ran beautifully on the occasion of our visit to take these photographs. It is as good underneath as it is up top and the panel fit is excellent throughout with doors that close just as William Lyons intended. This is as close to a brand new E-Type as you can get. It comes with a Heritage Certificate confirming its origins, a full MOT and is ready for many more decades of faithful service.