1970 Jaguar E-Type Series II 4.2 Convertible

To some the Series II E-type represents the best of all worlds. The classic styling and design is unmistakable and recognized as one of the finest roadsters ever built with added design advantages over its Series I predecessor. These include a new cross-flow radiator with twin electric fans for better engine cooling, bigger Girling-made brakes, collapsible steering column, stronger chrome-plated wire wheels, better clutch with higher-rated diaphragm spring and new camshafts with redesigned profiles to give quieter operation. The 1970 Series II offers its owner all of the refinements of the E-type historic line with the low-maintenance operation inherent in Jaguar's powerful straight-six twin-overhead-cam engine, a definite advantage over the more complicated Series III twelve-cylinder which arrived in 1971. The roadster pictured here was purchased new in 1970 by Mr. Douglas of South Carolina from a Ft. Lauderdale/West Palm Beach dealer as a birthday gift for his wife, who requested a model with factory air conditioning. It remained in the same careful ownership for the following 23 years until they sold the vehicle on to a good friend who lived about 30 miles away. The second owner kept the vehicle for two years and put the mileage up from 45,000 to 47,800 before selling the car in February 1995 to the current owner. While intending to just enjoy driving the vehicle, after a couple of months there were some items that needed fixing or correcting. Having met the Jaguar historian and contributor to Jaguar's US Archives, George Camp, who has a passion for congeniality and making sure a car is "correct," it was decided a proper restoration was in order. This superb roadster than underwent a meticulous ground-up restoration documented at $75,000. No expense was spared. The restoration was documented by photographs and the work was done to Pebble Beach standards. The automobile was trailered to four JCNA shows, Boca Raton, Boone Hall (Charleston), Hilton Head and Atlanta with a score that averaged 99.950, good enough to achieve top national honors. The car also did well in non-JCNA shows, winning a special award from the Atlanta Jaguar Society. While the car was restored to concours condition, the owner stresses that the Jaguar was built to be driven. When not touring, the car is kept in a special climate controlled display room. Attention to detail included brand new correct Dunlop SP sport 185VR15 tires specially ordered from England. The vehicle also has custom-installed rear stereo speakers and a specially-designed stereo unit and console which can be installed by simply sliding out the center console and inserting the stereo unit. With just three owners from new, limited use and being subject to a concours-winning restoration this vehicle may be considered by some to be one of the finest Series II roadsters in the world. The present owner, who originally purchased this car to drive says of the subsequent restoration work: "I went overboard in every minute detail in my quest for the perfect Jaguar and this is the result."