1966 Jaguar E-Type Series I 4.2-Litre Roadster

The Jaguar E-Type is an icon of British automotive history and it isn't difficult to see why. Sensational looks, the ability to reach close to 150mph and all for half the price of an Aston or a Ferrari at the time. Jaguar's sports car was an instant sensation as its curvaceous good looks - equally good in Roadster or Fixed-Head Coupé forms - were clearly related to the Le Mans-winning D-types of the 1950s, sculpted by aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer. Its structure was similar too, with a monocoque central tub and a tubular front section carrying the engine and front wheels. The E-Type would be one of the last great sports cars developed directly from a successful competition ancestor.

Jaguar continued to develop the E-Type throughout its life. The first results of this programme of improvements came in 1964 when the newly enlarged 4.2-litre XK engine was installed under the bonnet and although maximum power remained unchanged at 265bhp, torque was usefully increased, improving driveability. Other improvements included the arrival of a fully synchronised Moss gearbox and twin SU petrol pumps. A Lucas alternator was adopted along with a change to the electrics, now with a negative earth, a pre-engaged starter was designed, and a Lockheed vacuum servo replaced the Kelsey Haynes unit originally fitted. The seats were redesigned and were plusher and pleated, whilst an all black instrument panel replaced the original aluminium one.

The car presented here is a 1966 Jaguar E-Type Series I 4.2-litre Roadster – arguably the most desirable of all E-Type models – and is a UK-market, right-hand drive car. Finished in Jaguar Dark Blue with a grey leather interior, it was dispatched from the factory on 7th March 1966 to Henlys of London and onwards to its first owner who registered it as MYN 2D, the number it still wears today. The car remains a matching numbers example and is accompanied by its original hardtop.

By the early 1970s, the car was residing in Sweden and in 1996 was bought by a real marque enthusiast who was hugely impressed by its level of originality and preservation. By 2012 however it was starting to show its age, so he commissioned a full body restoration, whereby all panels and metalwork having any level of rust were completely replaced with new panels/sections. This included both sills, internal stiffening sections, both rear wings, the whole bottom section of the boot and both door-skins. The work was conducted by Rolf Hammarström of RH Metal Fabrication, a very well known Swedish restorer and carried out in the proper old fashioned way with no patches or filler and completed with all new seals. After its restoration, it was infrequently used and went into storage, before being purchased by our vendor in 2014, brought back to the UK and returned to its original registration of MYN 2D.

A new interior was sourced from specialist Barry Hankinson and fitted by Suffolk & Turley in 2024 and presents well, whilst retaining some original patina, and a new soft top and cover has been supplied by Aldridge Trimming.

Mechanically, the engine has been completely rebuilt with new pistons, bearings, chains and valve guides (but not hardened seats). A race-spec fuel pump with a pressure regulator has been fitted as has a new (non-electronic) ignition system with all new internal parts, including the distributor cap and coil. Also fitted is an aluminium hi-flow radiator and cooling fan (a Derek Watson 6-blade fan with aluminium cowl set up), K&N air filters, new braided wiring loom and a stainless steel exhaust.

The gearbox and differential have been professionally checked and resealed, both being in exceptionally good condition, whilst the driveshafts were reconditioned with all universal joints replaced. The suspension was rebuilt, including new bushes and shock absorbers and the steering rack was refurbished with new joints and rubber seals. Also of note are the Series 3 brake vacuum servo, EBC grooved front brake discs with EBC Redstuff brake pads all-round, steel-braided Goodridge brake lines and Dayton 6" wire wheels with stainless steel spokes (five).

This fantastic E-Type is on offer from a very good home, having been owned and maintained by a real classic car enthusiast/racer for the last 29 years, and epitomises that rare combination of originality/preservation, dutiful ownership and sympathetic restoration – making for the best classic cars, ones with ’soul’ and character, but that can still be used as intended. This is the E-Type to own, you won’t be disappointed.