1969 Jaguar E-Type Series II 4.2 Roadster

Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia Auction|11 October 2020, 13:00 EDT|Philadelphia, Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum

1969 Jaguar E-Type Series II 4.2 Roadster
Chassis no. 1R8836
Engine no. 7R43799

4,235cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Triple SU Carburetors
265bhp at 5,400rpm – see text
4-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*In the present ownership since 1987
*Believed to have been a gift from Elvis to the original, former owner (See Text)
*Restored, then serviced and maintained throughout this custody
*Jaguar Heritage Certificate on file confirming matching engine number

THE SERIES II E-TYPE

The first significant upgrade of Jaguar's sensational E-Type came in October 1964 with the launch of the 4.2-liter version. Along with the bigger engine came a more user-friendly gearbox with synchromesh on first gear, and a superior Lockheed brake servo. In 1968 all three versions of the E-Type underwent major revision to comply with US safety and emissions legislation, emerging in 'Series II' guise. Enlarged side and rear lights were adopted while a thickened front bumper center section bridged a larger radiator intake. Interior changes included a collapsible steering column and rocker switches in place of the earlier toggles.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

The Jaguar E-Type we present here was built in March 1969 and delivered new on May 2 that year as verified by the Jaguar Heritage Certificate on file. Distributed through British Leyland of New York, as supplied it was finished in Light Blue with a Dark Blue interior and Blue top, was fitted with the engine that it still retains to this day and had manual transmission. The car has been in its current ownership since 1987, when it was acquired from a Joseph Mallia of Yorktown Heights, New York. The seller reports a rather amusing anecdotal tale came with the car at its point of acquisition, being that Mr. Mallia was selling the car as he had won the lottery and was moving to the West Coast, endorsing this was the fact that the E-Type was registered '1Lottery'! If this was not colorful enough, Mr. Mallia stated that he had formerly worked for Elvis Presley, who had given him the Jaguar as a thank you. While this is not verified in documents, gifting of cars by Elvis was certainly in character for him, and the current owner recalls that Mr. Mallia's home displayed numerous photos of he and Elvis together, so this rather nice story does seem to hold water.

Immediately after its purchase in 1987, the car was firstly serviced by Semaca Foreign Cars in Port Chester, NY, before being sent to the hallowed Reuters Coach Works shop for a full restoration, during which its colors were changed to the current guise. At this point, to judge from photos on file it already had been fitted with triple SU carburetors. A job posting in 1993 to the UK saw the car shipped back to its home country where it was used for the next couple of years, during which time it was maintained by Southern Classics and then Talacrest, the famed Ferrari dealers and classic car restorers.

The Jaguar was returned to the US early in 1995, where it has been ever since. Latterly maintenance and work has been carried out by the noted company British Auto Restorations in Roanoke, Virginia which has been renamed Vintage Auto Restorations by its new ownership.

As the car stands today, it is cleanly presented and offered with the benefit of being cared for throughout its 33 year tenure. The addition of the provenance that it may well carry can be considered an added bonus.

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