1963 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Roadster
Registration no. 6829 WK
Chassis no. 880285
Engine no. RA3801-9

The accompanying Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate reveals that this left-hand drive E-Type Roadster was completed as a Personal Export Delivery for a Mrs E Geddes and registered in the UK as '6829 WK' (a Coventry registration). The original colour scheme was Opalescent Silver Blue with dark blue interior trim and black hood.

Believed to have spent the vast majority of its life in California, the car was taken off the road in 1979 to await restoration at the hands of its elderly Los Angeles-based owner. Suffering deteriorating health, he sadly passed away before starting the project. His widow kept the car until 2013 when it was repatriated to the UK via Harry Fulford, the founder of E-Type UK, and acquired by the current vendor. The mileage at that time was deemed to be less than 37,000. Documented during its UK restoration, a Pennzoil service sticker suggested an oil and filter change at 37,000 miles. Sadly this sticker did not survive the restoration. However, the total is corroborated by the accompanying California Certificate of Title, so the current mileage is warranted as genuine.

In the course of this amazing 'last nut and bolt' restoration the bodyshell was stripped to bare metal and restored on a rotisserie with new reinforced inner sills by Martin Robey. New heavy-duty engine frames and a front 'picture frame' cross-member were supplied by E-Type Fabs, while a new aluminium radiator with integral cooling fan was sourced from NAR.

The engine was stripped back to the bare block and the cylinder liners pushed out. The block was then acid dipped and bored to take Rob Beere 'top hat' liners, then bored back to standard 3.8-litre dimensions. The block and front cover were decked. The cylinder head was gas-flowed by Rob Beere and fitted with RBR fast road cams, valves and springs, plus all new cam followers, collets, etc. The crankshaft was reground and converted to accommodate a Rob Beere rear main bearing lip seal. Despite there being no evidence of this car having any competition history, the original and very rare Jaguar lightweight competition flywheel (fitted from new) has been retained. T&L Engineering dynamically balanced the bottom end. JE 9.0:1 compression pistons were fitted to Arrow Sportsman con-rods, and the engine also boasts a Rob Beere high-flow oil pump and spin-on filter. The carburettors were reconditioned by David Lonsdale at Classic Carburettors, and 123 electronic ignition fitted together with a WOSP Dynator and high-torque starter motor. Zircon plasma-coated exhaust manifolds discharge into a OE Jaguar Heritage exhaust system. Prior to installation in the car, the engine was run in for three hours on the MASS dynamometer, producing a more than healthy 262bhp and 258lb/ft of torque (printout on file).

Turning to the transmission: the original matching-numbers gearbox was deemed a bit noisy on early road tests, despite having been overhauled, so it was decided to install a complete new gear set (almost impossible to find today but held in stock by the vendor for more than 25 years). At first there was no improvement in the first gear noise, but after 300 miles of road testing the noise has reduced. It is the vendor's belief that had original 'box been persevered with it too would have become quiet. The original (restored) gearbox is included in the sale. The differential was overhauled with all new bearings, seals and PowrLok plates and has a 2.88:1 final drive ratio for comfortable fast cruising. A complete new prop shaft was installed.

The brakes were rebuilt with all original Dunlop pistons and stainless steel sleeves, and were nickel zinc plated. The original Dunlop master cylinders were stainless steel sleeved and nickel zinc plated, and even retain their original plastic part number tags. Clutch master cylinder likewise. New brake rotors were fitted front and rear. The suspension's front wishbones were nickel zinc plated, while everything likely to wear was replaced and Polybushed. All wiring looms were renewed; a new hood and interior installed by GB Trimming; and Dynamat sound and heat barrier fitted throughout.

The vendors have made every effort to keep this E-Type as original as possible. With the sensible exceptions of the WOSP Donator and high-torque starter motor, for the vendors it is mission accomplished! Total expenditure on this vehicle has exceeded £150,000+VAT, and all work has been carried out to the highest possible standard. The entire restoration is supported by an extremely comprehensive photographic record within the history file (available on request prior to auction).