Today we had an absolutely original XJ6 in the shop from 1968 which was a two-owner car.
In the trunk was the pristine tool roll and the owner let us open it and reveal an untouched set.
We found Shelly Pliers, a yellow plastic valve stem remover, hubcap remover, Lucas .014 Key, and spanners that varied from Eagle, Daimler and Jaguar!
The Italian Job, our 1965 E-Type restoration has been compartmentalized over the last month while we wait to receive the car back.
This left the enormous task of tackling the 4.2 engine which meant a proper seal, paint and polish before marrying it back into the chassis. We fit new engine and transmission seals, a 3-piece clutch kit, frost plugs as well as re-machined the cylinder-head deck and flywheel. The starter motor was also expertly overhauled by Brian Roberts Auto Electric which is all too easy while the engine is out.
Tarting up the biggest piece of automotive jewelery is a time consuming task of cleaning and polishing. Specifically polishing the aluminum cam covers, cylinder head, intake manifold, breather tube and carburetor bodies whose radiant charm is offset by the bell housing, crankcase and transmission which stay in the bare and carefully cleaned aluminum alloy.
Last we have the intake and exhuast portion of this equation which include the porcelain covered exhaust manifolds. More on those later.
This year the 1961 E-Types proved their dominance in the market and Gooding broke the world record at auction by selling chassis 875038 for $528,000 USD.
This report assembles all the E-Types auctioned during the 2014 Monterey week including cars from Gooding & Company, RM Auctions, Bonhams and Mecum.
But first we take a look at the first continuation lightweight e-type which Jaguar debuted at Monterey during a gala event and later displayed it at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
Jaguar Special Operations revealed the ‘New’ Lightweight E-type in Monterey. There will be six customer cars produced and each assigned one of the remaining chassis numbers originally allocated in 1963.
The new Lightweight is bare aluminum inside exposing the beautiful tub made by RS Panels.
Not quite sure where Jaguar source the Wide-angle head and all-new mechanical injection, but it is a sight to behold.
1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Roadster 875038 – sold for $528,000
at Gooding and Company. The Most Collectible Example of Jaguar’s Iconic 1960s Sports Car. The 38th Left-Hand-Drive E-Type Roadster Produced. Desirably Equipped with External Bonnet Latches, Flat Floors, and Welded Louvers. Recently Completed Concours-Level Restoration. Accompanied by JDHT Certifcate, Round Tool Kit, Hardtop, and Owner’s Manual.
1961 Jaguar E-Type 3.8-Litre Roadster 875331 – sold for $440,000 at RM Auctions. Early outside-bonnet latch, flat-floor, welded-louver Series 1. Received 100 points at the 2014 JCNA Concours and a First in Class at the 2014 San Marino Classic Concours. Tremendous preservation of its original sheet metal and mechanicals. Documented as matching-numbers engine and transmission by JDHT.
1964 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Roadster 881712 – sold for $247,500 at Gooding and Company. Believed to Be a Three-Owner Car. Beautifully Presented Roadster with Factory Hardtop. Thoughtfully Executed Performance Upgrades.
1964 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Roadster 880500 – sold for $148,500 at Bonhams. Matching numbers example. Scored 99.96 points in JCNA judging. Many past Concours awards.Restored by marque specialists. Offered with history file and Heritage Trust Certificate.
1964 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Roadster 860402 – sold for $93,500. The Boillot Helsel Roadster. Matching numbers example. Many tasteful and subtle performance upgrades. Complete with books and tools. Desirable factory hard top. Offered with history file and Heritage Trust Certificate.
1965 Jaguar E-Type 4.2-Litre Fixed Head Coupe 1E30680 – sold for $159,500 at RM Auctions. Offered from the collection of Elton Stephens Jr. Featuring a recent mechanical and cosmetic freshening by marque specialist. Accompanied by its Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate.
1967 Jaguar Series 1 E-Type Fixed Head Coupe 1E33454 – sold for $60,000 at Mecum. Series 1 XKE Fixed Head Coupe. Original 4.2L inline six cylinder. Engine No. 7E10182-9. Triple carburetors. 4-speed transmission. Opalescent Maroon paint with great patina. Black interior. 160 MPH speedometer. Jaguar wire wheels. Smiths gauges. Believed to be 12,563 original miles. Unique Series 1 Jag with covered headlamps, front and rear marker lights above the bumpers and center exiting exhaust.
1966 Jaguar E-Type 4.2-Litre 2+2 1E76624 sold for $104,500 at RM Auctions. Offered from the collection of Elton Stephens Jr. Featuring a recent mechanical and cosmetic freshening by marque specialist. Accompanied by its Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate.
1967 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Roadster 1E14542 – sold for $167,200 at Bonhams. Matching numbers example. Beautifully restored. Complete with books and tools. Over $26,000 in recent receipts. Offered with history file and Heritage Trust Certificate.
1967 Jaguar E-Type Series I½ Roadster 1E15082 – sold for $82,500 at Bonhams. Highly original example with fewer than 64,000 miles from new. Matching numbers E-Type presented in factory-delivered color combination. Few owners since new. Rally and Concours d’Elegance veteran. Accompanied by hard top, books, tools, history file and Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate.
1969 Jaguar E-Type Series II Coupe P1R28035 – sold for $55,000 at Bonhams. Beautifully restored in and out. Tastefully upgraded for enhanced performance. Elegant fixed-head-coupe E-Type. Presented in classic BRG over Tan. Ideal for rallies and driving events.
1970 Jaguar XKE Roadster – sold for $47,500 at Mecum. 1970 Jaguar XKE 4.2L Roadster. Open two seater. One family owned California car since 1982. 4.2L inline six cylinder engine. 5-speed manual transmission. Ribbed cam cover. Believed to be 66,000 miles. Carefully maintained for over 42 years. Custom wire wheels. Recently repainted. Blue with Black interior and Blue soft top. Wood rimmed steering wheel.
1974 Jaguar Series 3 E-Type Roadster UE1S23577 – sold for $55,000 at Mecum. Seattle, WA car from new believed to have had three total owners. One owner since 1992. Garage find fresh out of long term climate controlled storage for nearly two decades. Never fully restored. Numbers matching 5.3L V-12 engine. Borg Warner automatic transmission. Believed to be 54,734 actual miles. Factory air conditioning. Nardi wood rim steering wheel. Chrome wire wheels. New tires and fresh servicing. Auxiliary removable hardtop. Dark Blue paint with Navy leather interior and Navy Blue soft top. Maintenance records and owner history. Owners manual and three set of keys. Listed in XKE Registry. Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate.
With the suspension now completely assembled, The Italian Job, our 1965 E-Type restoration, is coming along nicely and ready for phase two.
This week it was delivered back to our customer who will carry out some work and look after the car while we are away in Monterey.
The entire assemblage benefits from CAD plating and a high regard for finished fit.
LH Torsion bar is installed to its factory original position.
Hubs are on and the torsion bar energy is forcing the suspension towards earth.
Fully plated stub axle carrier with matching guards, bolts, nyloc nuts and locking nuts look absolutely fabulous.
Twist Pliers and Lock Wire complete the look.
Worked part time this week on The Italian Job, our 1965 Jaguar E-Type restoration. Careful and correct assembly of the engine Reynolds 531 sub frames and pressed steel picture frame were completed, then work could begin on the suspension and steering rack. The project is now complete enough to pass through the wiring harness, attach the steering column and attach the wheel hubs to have a rolling restoration!
Plated pieces for the upper control arm were restored by Electroshine Metal Refinshers Ltd. Their fine work reveals all the intricate machining of these parts. These were CAD plated without ACID pickling to avoid embrittlement. Original finish from 1965 was bright silver zinc .
This image depicts the intricate sandwich around the picture frame with the long 4-inch sway bar bolts passing through 5 components.
Nice image showing the plated control arms and stub axle carrier.
One of the most complex areas is around the steering rack which has 3 mount bolts and 2 limiting bolts sandwiched with the upper control arm bushing.