Tracing history

[miles5]

Hi

I have a S1 3.8 FHC. It was built in May 1962 and delivered to Henly's in London. However the car was not registered to the first owner until 1st January 1963. (Confirmed by JDHT) This seems odd to me given the popularity of the E Type post launch and shortage of supply.

Could it be that Henlys kept it as a demonstrator for 6 months?

Henlys is long since defunct, is there any way of accessing any of their records.

Any other thoughts gratefully recieved.

Thanks

Miles.

[andrewh]

Hi there. Sorry I cannot help directly, but I too have an E 3.8 FHC, 860897. This was built in October 62 but not registered until September 63! This too was supplied through Henleys as master distributor then on to Coombe Bridge Garage in South Wimbledon area. I know that it was held on the production line due to paint issues, but was passed out in April 63 to Henleys. Still a very long period. I doubt your car was a demonstrator as surely it would have been registered to them directly? Maybe they used trade plates but I doubt it. It could have been a showroom car which would have been more likely. Good luck

[Heuer]

Yes, Jaguar used master distributors like Henley's who then supplied the cars to numerous dealers - the latter were not allowed to place their orders directly with the factory. This meant some dealers only got two cars a year so they tended to hang on to them as a crowd draw in their showroom. When they eventually got another E-Type they sold the showroom car. Given a total of only 833 FHC's (UK market) were built in 1962 with many going to favoured factory customers and master distributors there were very few to go around. But it was great to have one in the window!

[andrewh]

Thanks David. I think you just cleared up why my car took so long to be sold. Where did you get the photo. Great period piece.