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We purchased the 1968 Series 1½
4.2 Litre Fixed Head Coupe in 1991 at Beaudesert near
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. There weren't many E-Types to choose from at
that time and this was what seemed to be the best of a bad
lot. Maybe it was, but it wasn't good, having been
bodged in all the usual ways, particularly the body with
flattened tin cans and tar paper repairs on the floors.
According to the Heritage Certificate, this E-Type was
completed on 5th July 1968 and delivered to a dealer "Ashton Preston" in England.
When and why it came to Australia is not clear but we
have been told that it was owned on the Gold Coast for many
years by the original owner who had immigrated from Germany.
There was a Southport Jaguar service sticker on it when we bought it
but they were unable to help. We would love to hear from
anyone who can fill in some of the history.
In 1995, following an off-road excursion (due
to two blown tyres within 50 kilometres, caused by age related
delamination) we undertook a complete
rebuild and had the car back on the road in 1998. A brief
photo record of the rebuild can be accessed
here.
I use the term Series 1½
as that is now in common usage. Jaguar themselves did
not use the term and referred to all 4.2 E-Types up to the Series 2
as either Series 1 or 4.2. Our particular
car has the later Series 2 cooling system but has the old style
toggle switches on the dashboard. Of course, the headlights
are uncovered but the headlights have not been moved up and forward as they are in
the Series 2.
We have used the E-Type on a number of long
trips where it performs well. The only drawback is the warm
cabin temperatures, particularly in summer. We have also
entered a few Concours d'Elegances at both National and State levels.
We were awarded "Best E-Type" at the Jaguar Drivers Club of Queensland
2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009
Display Days and achieved a Gold Award in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
At the Jaguar National Rally 2010 held at the
Gold Coast we were awarded Gold in the Concours d'Elegance,
the Lofty England Sports Trophy, ACJC Best in Class, and the
Jaguar Cars Aggregate Trophy for best combined d'Elegance and
Sporting results.
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