Inventory Listing

2-seater, 4-speed, 59,194 original miles. Mostly original car with one repaint done in the early 1980s. Same owner since 1974. Very nice black leather interior. Everything works except the clock, including AM/FM/Shortwave radio.

Originally painted Willow Green, it was repainted in 1984 using a bright metallic green that the owner preferred and which is still on the car today. Workmanship was about what the car warranted at the time—in 1984, this was still just a used car—but has held up well over the intervening years. There’s a nice shine to the finish and few nicks and chips from use, so it cleans up very nicely. I can’t say whether I prefer this color or the original Willow Green, we’ll leave that for the next owner, but it does have an appropriately flashy look. The chrome trim remains in very good overall condition, with no rust or pits and a good shine to all the exterior components. Most of the rubber, including the door weather-stripping, has been replaced at some point and remains in good shape, although the rubber gaskets around the bumpers are starting to curl once again simply due to age.

The black leather interior is almost entirely original, and goes to show how gently used this car really was. The seats show some light comfort marks and cracks, but the hides are still supple and comfortable and no major splits, tears, or cracks are apparent. The carpets are in excellent condition, with perhaps those in the foot wells having been replaced at some point. Likewise, the original door panels look great as does the dash pad, which hasn’t been baked in the sun. A wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel warms up the otherwise monochromatic interior and all the big, bright Smiths gauges are in working condition. The SII cars replaced the delicate toggle switches of the S1 with rocker switches, which have a satisfying “snap” to their operation and the original Philips AM/FM/shortwave radio remains fully operational. Only the clocks seems to be inoperative, which isn’t unusual in cars of this vintage. The cargo area is beautifully finished with bright chrome rub strips under the sleek bubbled hatch, making the FHC a practical high-speed touring car. Underneath, you’ll find the original full-sized spare tire wearing what we believe to be an original Dunlop whitewall tire, as well as a tool kit and jack.

The Series II cars received a bump in displacement to 4.2 liters (up from 3.8) in response to both American tastes for low-end torque and the slightly heavier SII bodywork. This engine has never been out of the car and is the car’s original powerplant, and thanks to conscientious maintenance over the years, it runs quite well today. The carburetors have been recently rebuilt, so it starts easily using the choke; in fact, the first time I saw the car, it had been in storage since the summer and fired almost instantly even after all those weeks. It makes good oil pressure, idles contentedly, and drives well enough that the owner still used it as daily transportation when weather permitted. It’s not beautifully detailed under the hood, but it is clean and neatly preserved, with the big air cleaner on the passenger’s side and the unique exhaust manifolds on the driver’s side. The finned valve covers are a Jaguar trademark and all the lovely aluminum castings, including the intake manifold and cylinder head, are in excellent shape. You can still see the original Willow Green on the frame extensions and the ignition wires are original-style Champion units tucked into the factory conduit. Nothing of note deviates from factory spec aside from perhaps a few hose clamps.

This one is equipped with the desirable 4-speed manual that makes it a joy to drive. As you’d expect, with 3.54 gears in the independent rear end, it’s a superlative high-speed cruiser built to travel long distances with ease. The exhaust is an older replacement system with a newer set of mufflers and tailpipes, and it has an appropriate Jaguar growl to it. And while wire wheels were a popular option, those of you who enjoy driving instead of cleaning delicate wire wheels will appreciate the handsome chrome wheels this car wears. Four 195/75/15 Goodyear radials were fitted a few seasons ago and are still in excellent condition, ready to use.

Is this a perfect car? Absolutely not, and you’ve already divined that from the price tag. However, this may be one of your last opportunities to own a Series II FHC with a 4-speed gearbox at a price that’s reasonable enough to warrant investing in upgrades. Given the aggressive Jaguar market, this is a car that can be easily upgraded and selectively restored without putting its owner underwater financially, and it’s the rare collector car that can make such a promise. Of course, if you simply like to drive, I’d argue that there aren’t many better choices than this green coupe, because there really is something special about the way an E-Type feels.