Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Cabriolet Series 2 - 1970 - 94,209 KM

Rare enough to be noted, this beautiful Type E Series 2 convertible has been owned by the same collector for the last 27 years, during which time he has covered approximately 10,000 km in it.

Delivered new in 1970 in the United States like around 70% of Jaguar Type E cars, our copy returned to British soil in the early 90s. In the absence of information concerning this period, we assume that it was during this period that it was the subject of a quality renovation.

In 1996, this beautiful Series 2 convertible crossed the Channel when its last owner purchased it. It was then registered in France using a normal car registration document.

According to the file at our disposal, various routine maintenance works were regularly carried out in addition to the repair of the cylinder head in order to ensure the safe use of unleaded fuel. Note also the resumption of the tightness of the crankcases and axles.

The excellent exterior and interior condition of our Type E roadster is an unfailing indicator of the quality of the car, especially considering that no sheet metal or paint repair has been necessary for almost 30 years.

Perfectly stretched, the paint offers brilliance and depth. At most, note one tiny snag on the trunk door.

The alignments of the body, doors, trunk and especially the hood are excellent and the various elements including the floors show no trace of corrosion.

The beige leather upholstery is flawless. It is so consistent with what should be in a Type E Series 2 that one wonders if it would not be original.

The condom is new and has been carefully made of black alpaca.

Hardware, chrome, accessories and equipment are original, compliant and in very good condition, as are the chrome wire rims (and the identical spare tire).

Just after a complete overhaul, there is nothing to report on the mechanical level. The 4.2-liter XK 6 cylinder starts instantly and emits that full and hushed sound so characteristic.

The steering, the clutch and the gearbox are easy to maneuver, even for a driver who is not familiar with vintage cars.

As should be the case with a good Type E Series 2, our convertible is smooth and easy to drive, brakes straight and hard, does not heat up and offers accelerations and resumes that will surprise other motorists even more.

Welcome to the myth!

Presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961, the Jaguar E-Type, whose real name was, caused a sensation there.

Coming directly from racing, in terms of style as well as technique, it marked a break in Jaguar productions by its modernity compared to the XK 150s that it replaced.

For the competition, it was a wake-up call! For a fraction of the price of a Ferrari or a Maserati, the Type E offered comparable performances (240 km/h!) , modern independent suspension and rack and pinion steering combined with a semi-monococcus body with breathtaking lines. Only the old Moss gearbox with an unsynchronized 1st gear box ruined the picture a bit.

From this date, Jaguar will continue to develop the Type E in order to erase its few youthful flaws and adapt it to the evolution of techniques and regulations.

The 4.2-liter replaced the 3.8-liter in the summer of 1964 with a new modern gearbox, improved brakes and more comfortable seats.

In August 1968, the Type E Series 2 appeared, whose headlights, lights and bumpers were brought into compliance with American laws, in parallel with some variations in interior layout related to safety (built-in handles, piano keys instead of switches, Neiman, among others).

These sometimes controversial aesthetic developments are accompanied by significant technical improvements aimed at providing greater ease of use and driving comfort (Girling brakes with 3-piston front calipers, enlarged water radiator with 2 electric fans, etc...).

The Type E Series 2 for the US market (like the Series 1 from last year) are equipped with 2 Stromberg carburetors to replace the 3 classic SU in order to meet the pollution control standards already in force in the United States. The power then comes out to 246 hp SAE against 269 hp in the European versions. They are normally equipped with a short bridge (3.54/1) guaranteeing good accelerations (less than 8 s from 0 to 100 km/h) in return for a lower top speed of around 210 km/h, which seems to be sufficient today!

As the journalists of the time pointed out, the Type E Series 2 offers the charm of the sixties while already having one foot in the 70s in terms of ease of use.

The E-Type Series 3 replaced the 2 Series in March 1971 and ushered in the new Jaguar V12 as well as a number of aesthetic changes, all of which gave this latest version a big GT character and a philosophy very different from the previous E.