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Reproduced from The Jaguar Magazine. Edition 100 p73
Two E-TYPES OWNED FROM NEW PLUS MORE I read with interest of Ian Richardson's E-Type posing the question is it the earliest one owner E-Type in existence? Interesting thought. This led me in this 40th year celebration of the car, to my own situation with my two E-Types both of which I purchased new and still own. Is there anyone out there who can claim the same or more? The first, a Series 1 4.2 FHC, purchased in 1965 was a special order non standard body and trim colour combination being Opalescent Silver Blue with Beige trim. I have since learned that this trim was used mainly in Daimler 250's, most of which were exported to New Zealand. The car has travelled some 9500 miles and is in immaculate original condition. Having been off the road for several years it is at present undergoing some TLC to make it roadworthy again. It remains in NZ. The second is a Series 3 V12 Roadster purchased in 1974 when Jaguar called for the last E-Types to be supplied to the then Leyland Australia. Again, it was a special order but with standard options selected. The colour is Signal Red with Biscuit trim and it has travelled 27,000 klms. This car still resides in Australia, but did have a short stint in NZ when it met its older brother. It too is totally original. I read too with interest Tim Nevinson's article in edition 99. I learned in 1974 that the Series 1 and Series 3 cars have no resemblance from a driving point of view. They are, to all intents and purposes, two different cars. The view out of the windscreen is perhaps the only similar feature. I did own earlier a Series 1 3.8 E-Type FHC, and would agree that this probably was the 'gruntier' car, certainly more basic, but overall I consider the 4.2 to be the better car. I do recall however some exciting moments in the 3.8, both on Club events.
Typical rural NZ country road with a Series 1 E-Type competing in the Dunlop Targa New Zealand
The first was on the road between Queenstown and Lake Te Anau where we rendezvoused with a Piper Cherokee 150 piloted by a Club member with a fellow Club member and spouses as passengers. With the Piper alongside in a slightly nose down attitude, and possibly in ground effect (pilots will know what I mean), and both throttles through the firewalls, it was exciting at something in excess of 140mph to see the nose of the E-Type gradually easing out in front of the Cherokee. Unfortunately, some road planner had decided to put a deviation in place which we had to adjust to negotiate allowing the Piper to continue on without changing direction. As you can imagine, the natter in the bar between pilots that night was lively. The other was returning to Christchurch from Mt Cook on the road before Fairlie. I had my father as passenger (he owned a very nice 'Mkl' wide grilled 2.4 Saloon in Pearl Grey with Red trim) when I thought I owed it to him to show what this new missile from Jaguar was made of. Upon activating the brakes at some 130mph in preparation to negotiate a right hander to cross a bridge - nothing happened - just as Tim Nevinson said. Again, this time some thoughtful road planner, who had probably heard of these new missiles from Jaguar entering the country, had provided an escape road before the right hander at the end of which we executed a 180 degree turn and duly crossed the bridge in a sedate and legal manner. Needless to say, my father thought he had better stay with his 2.4, saying one missile in the family would suffice! Such are the recollections of one's youth !!! I too have a Ron Beaty Weber conversion kit for my Series 3 V12, but without the camshaft and which I have never fitted mainly because I couldn't find suitable air cleaners. Ron claimed I could expect an increase in both the torque and horsepower of some 80 lbs and hp. I recall Sybil Lupp telling me at the time that she experienced great difficulty in synchronising the ignition and carburettor tuning but it made her car a real 'goer'. Her car is now in Christchurch owned by Robert Stewart. DAVID OWEN SUNSHINE COAST QUEENSLAND |
