Having just retired I thought I would full fill my lifelong obsession and purchase an E-type. I specifically wanted a UK right hand drive FHC with matching numbers, prefrably a 3.8 as well as a good history. For me, the originality and history was more important than the condition and although I was willing to do a fair amount of work, I wanted to be able to drive and enjoy it this summer.
After looking at a fair few cars, all of which were not as described in originality or condition I stumbled across 460 CLJ, a 1964 'one owner' 3.8 FHC. It later turned out that it was in fact a two owner car as the the seller, 88 years old, had purchased the car in December 1964 after the original owner a Mrs Teal had gone into the back of another car and decided it was not for her and returned it to Jaguar where it received a new bonnet.
The seller had owned the car ever since and as he had put it, "the first 20 years it was used as his every day car, the next 20 years it was laid up in his garage not being driven and the last 20 years it was driven occasionally.
Although it had continually been maintained mechanically and cosmetically over the years it has never been restored and was very original compared to the majority of cars I had seen.
Our first viewing of 460 CLJ
Engine Bay looked a bit scruffy but original except for a new header tank
I loved the original interior and colour!
After the first viewing it didn't take long to decide to bite the bullet, agree a price and purchase it. What I particularly liked was it's originality, inside and out, especially the interior which apart from the horn push, front footwell carpets and gear leaver surround was as it left the factory on the 6th March 1964. The bodywork and paint was a bit scruffy but mostly original and all numbers matched the heritage certificate that came with it, engine block, cylinder head, gearbox and chassis numbers etc.
With the care came its original Jack, wheel hammer and tool roll along with owners manual, original log book, guarantee and wall chart, all in excellent condition. Accompanying this were four large files full of receipts, tax discs and mot certificates all dating back to the 1960's. All in all there was a full history of the car included which was really nice to have. I also got a video made of the couple selling the car talking about there time owning it which was really nice.
460 CLJ home having driven the 400 mile round trip to Bristol to pick her up
Anyway, having got the car home I set about recommissioning the car as it had not been driver for several years. This included removing the head and replacing the exhaust valves, renewing the rear brake cylinders, replacing the clutch slave cylinder and hose as well as an upgraded radiator fan, and mechanical oil pressure gauge fitted etc. After much work she now drives nicely, no overheating and good oil pressure - brakes aren't up to modern standards but from what I gather, they never were although it did have upgraded 4 pot callipers fitted some 12 years ago.
Work under way recommissioning her
All finished and ready for our first trip out
Our first trip out in her was to the annual E-type club do at Shelsey Walsh which was great fun and we did the 300 mile round trip with no issues although she did get a bit hot waiting to get in, issues that have now been resolved.
E-type club day at Shelsey Walsh
Over the winter I intend to continue work on getting the mechanical side of her up to scratchy by replacing all the bushes etc and tidy up some of the paintwork, but I have no intentions of doing a full restoration as I think it would spoil that which to me, makes this car special.
Many thanks, Jon, located in North Wales UK.
