Description
Offered for sale is exceedingly strong-running, rust-free, head-turning 1969 Jaguar E-Type OTS (open-two-seater) finished in timeless Carmen Red over black leather, a combination that’s especially appropriate for E-Type Roadsters, arguably the most iconic sports car in the world. This car is not a completely restored, show quality car that you feel uncomfortable driving for fear of getting a rock chip. It’s a very original, rust-free, matching numbers example that has been lovingly cared for and maintained from new. As such, the car has a charming amount of patina to account for its 43 years of trusty service, a beautifully presented survivor without any negative history.
The car has been refinished at some point in its original red, but the paint is not without its flaws. A crack here, a minimal ding there, a couple of bubbles (from unsatisfactory prep-work, NOT RUST) – they all are visible upon close inspection, however as the pictures show the car presents extremely well. All of the chrome is in good original condition, as is the glass, soft top and boot cover. The wire knock off wheels are wrapped in nearly new tires and the car’s undercarriage is in excellent condition. The car’s interior is equally as clean, the leather seats, interior panels and dash in excellent original condition. The leather and vinyl show minimal wear in the typical places, but the patina is uniform to the rest of the car. Worth noting, the original radio has been replaced with an excellent Sony system and the car comes with dealer-optioned luggage rack mounts in stalled in the rear deck-lid.
A patina appears on the completely original engine compartment, however beneath the minimal accumulated wear and road dust lurks a particularly potent 4.2 Liter engine. Of all of the Series II E-Types I’ve driven (and that’s dozens), I’ve only once experienced a more powerful, better driving example, and that was a fully restored example with three Weber carbs and all sorts of performance modifications. In contrast, this car is entirely original and its dual Stromberg carburetors are excellent, dictating an easy start-up, smooth consistent idle and a grin-inducing amount of power through all four gears. The car has a Series III style quad exhaust system that emits a wonderful roar, the transmission shifts effortlessly, the engine’s compression is excellent and it shows no proclivity towards overheating. I just took the car up Highway 154 (a long steep highway up over the Santa Ynez Mountains behind Santa Barbara) and went winetasting in the Santa Ynez Valley with a friend, driving the car roughly 150 miles between each winery and home in 80+ degree heat. The car performed beautifully – no overheating or other issues, just consistently completely enjoyable with the top down. The car’s truly a joy to drive.
