Description
Offered for sale is an absolutely stunning, mechanically excellent, extremely desirable 1966 Jaguar E-Type Fixed Head Coupe finished in hard-to-find factory correct Black on Black. Delivered new to Dallas, Texas, the car remained with its first owner for nearly 40 years, always carefully stored and maintained such that rust and mechanical neglect were never an issue. That said, sometime around 2000, the original owner commissioned a comprehensive, high quality restoration of the car to the impressive condition it remains in today. Sadly, he didn’t get to enjoy the fruits of his labors very long, passing away in 2005, at which point his estate sold the car to significant Oklahoma City collector and boutique dealership owner Rocky Santiago. Mr. Santiago had someone in mind for the car and it was summarily sold to the technical second owner, a successful fashion line owner and designer in Los Angeles. Since that time the car has resided in his Hollywood Hills garage, stabled in the good company of other period European sports cars (all of which are black) and used purely as a weekend driver.
Because of his desire to use the car reliably for weekend jaunts up and down the coast (as well as idling through LA traffic), during his ownership the second owner spent over $10k having the car professionally maintained by a well-regarded marque specialist. He also had an extremely expensive and cleverly designed sound system installed allowing for modern iPod/iPhone playback and exceptional sound quality. We know the purists out there are having conniptions, but in our humble opinion, as long as any modification is tasteful, serves a purpose and is reversible – as these modifications do/are – they certainly don’t detract at all from a car’s value while improving upon the pleasure derived from owning a classic sports car. The prior owner’s goal was to own the ultimate driver, and that’s exactly what this car is: near show quality gorgeous (but not so perfect you feel guilty driving it), mechanically excellent and comfortable. We’ve not come across another E-Type that we’d rather personally drive.
Ever aggressive yet elegant in its rare factory correct Black on Black livery, this car is exceptionally beautiful, even more so in person than in pictures (which is often times not the case). The quality of the finish is superb – smooth, consistent and blemished only by negligible rock chips, etc. that one would expect of any restored, carefully owned car. The body is straight and correct, free of rust and bondo and retains excellent panel fits and even gaps throughout. The brightwork, glass and rubber are all excellent, as are the chrome knock-off wire wheels, wrapped in correct Michelin “Red-Line” tires (currently turned inward) with plenty of remaining tread. Due in large part to a life spent entirely in arid climates, the car’s undercarriage is entirely correct and solid. The car’s interior is equally as clean, the seats, dash, carpets, headliner and interior panels all showing only minimal wear. The wood steering wheel and shift knob have been refinished and present beautifully and while the car retains its original radio, the iPod connection is hidden in the center console.
While cosmetically excellent, it’s in its mechanicals where this car sets itself apart the most. Upon turning the key and pressing the ignition, the 4.2L, triple carbureted engine roars effortlessly to life, idling consistently and pulling with aggressive albeit smooth force through each of the gears. Compression is excellent and there are no overheating issues. The car’s road manners are fantastic, driving and braking straight and handling easily and precisely. It’s as comfortable cruising at 75 mph down the highway as it is winding through the canyons, and all the while that trademark, grin-inducing Jaguar exhaust note rounds out the visceral, true sports car experience.
This is an excellent opportunity to acquire an exceptional and particularly desirable E-Type coupe with arresting aesthetics and fantastic mechanicals. Its next owner will undoubtedly love the car as much as the preceding two and the car needs nothing to be enjoyed from the date of delivery.
