Ah, the E-type. Beautiful. Exciting. Unattainable? Well, maybe not so much as you’d think. Sure, concours-quality Series 1 roadsters, the ones with the covered headlamps, can go for six figures. But the closed cars – especially the 2+2s – are generally a lot more affordable. Take this 1967 Series 1 2+2 coupe that sold earlier this month at the Shannons auction in Sydney, Australia. On the one hand, not everyone loves the shape of the 2+2. But on the other hand, it has covered headlamps, the 4.2-liter DOHC six and the improved gearbox. The selling price was $24,000, right about average for the condition. Here’s the seller’s description of the car:
This desirable Series 1 Manual E-Type 2+2 has been in the same ownership since 1975. An original RHD car supplied new to the UK market, it was comprehensively overhauled in 1978 when the odometer clicked over the 100,000 mile mark. The engine, gearbox and clutch were all rebuilt, the space frame repainted and the front suspension restored.
From that point, it has seen little use, lying dormant in garage storage for ten years and only covering around 36,000 miles in the last 33 years.
In 2008, Brookvale Mechanical Repairs were employed to bring the car up to a driveable standard, which involved replacing fluids and rubbers along with overhauling brake and clutch systems. Later work has seen the installation of twin cooling fans and sports air filters (original set available), along with a new starter motor and a set of chrome wire wheels with suitable tyres.
In good mechanical and structural order, this E-type will require body work and some interior renovation to make for a very capable and comfortable Grand Tourer. To be sold with current NSW pink slip.
We never saw this one in person, but from the photos we’d say it could use paint, and the interior could use some help. If this were ours, we’d throw some dye and leather conditioner on the seats, forget about the rest of the cosmetic stuff and just drive it as often as we could. What do you think?