£139,995
This is an opportunity to own and enjoy a true collectorâ€s piece being one of reportedly just three Jaguar E-Type’s known to have survived in the special-order colour of ‘Porsche Tangerine’. WLO 257G is a UK RHD matching numbers car that was manufactured on the 30th October 1968 and was distributed by Henlys, London in its Special-order exterior paint, Black leather upholstery and with manual transmission. A previous owner learned through the Jaguar Enthusiast Club that two of Henleys Directors had ordered an E-Type each in this colour and Jaguar told them that they could only do this ‘special order†if they ordered a minimum of six matching cars. It was extremely rare for Jaguar to stray from their own colour schemes on offer, but Henleys would have undoubtedly had elevated influence given they were England’s leading motor agents at the time.
From the comprehensive history with the car we know it was sold to a lady with 600 miles recorded in 1970 at just two years old. The E-Type was later owned by the UK Director for Seaforth Export Ltd who had offices in London, Tel Aviv, New York, Dusseldorf and Stockholm. The UK Director and owner of the car, Mr Campbell kept the car until 1978 with a mileage warranted at 34, 400 and by now the car had been colour changed to Red. The car was then sold by the London based E-Type Centre to a private owner in Poole, Dorset who kept the car for 19 years, selling it in 1997 with a mileage of 55965. Invoices for maintenance and servicing are with the car right throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s.
From 1997/ 1998 the E-Type was in South Wales WLO 257G and had two owners before arriving with us in 2016 with 78, 000 warranted miles. MOT records date back to 1978 but we can see from this documentation the E-Type covered 22, 000 miles during its time in South Wales. By 2016, the E-Type arrived with us in North Yorkshire looking externally rather tatty but remarkably original inside. At this point we commissioned a programme of refurbishment work at our Malton Coachworks restoration facility. The E-Type was completely stripped down to the a rolling shell and the body was then fully prepared with interior and gearbox/ engine removed for a complete inside and out re-paint in the cars correct original colour of Porsche Tangerine. The body was restored as required and then professionally prepared for an outstanding full re-paint. The underside was also fully re-painted and the glass like finish is equally as impressive underneath the car. WLO 257G was built up with new lights, rubbers, seals, trims, wing beading, clips, joints, screws, hinge bushes, springs and renewed chrome work.
The 78, 000 mile from new engine was checked over, found in strong condition and then treated to extensive detailing prior to re-fitting to the car. The gearbox was fully overhauled prior to re-fit and the differential unit also fully rebuilt. The E-Type was then treated to powder coated suspension arms, air intake and air filter housing. During built up, the E-Type also had new suspension bushes, ball joints, ball joint boots, new wheel bearings, front and rear shock absorbers, new brake calipers, new brake discs and pads, new brake master cylinder, all new brake flexi hoses, new alternator and belts, new coolant hoses, re-conditioned radiator, new manifold to head gasket, new inlet to head gasket, new manifolds, new stainless steel exhaust system, new clutch and slave cylinder, new engine and gearbox mountings, all new ignition items and various electrical work. The E-Type was then treated to a new set of chrome wire wheels and new tyres, re-conditioned hood frame, brand new Black mohair hood, re-trimmed door cards, centre console, leather seats and brand new carpet set and boot kit.
On completion we sold the E-Type to a long-term customer, JEC member and friend of ours back in South Wales who owned the car until 2021. WLO 257G covered in the region of 1000 miles in Wales, it was beautifully detailed and taken to many shows and events. The E-Type attended South Wales JEC events and enjoyed fine weather use only. We then sold the car to its last owner who has covered 3000 faultless miles touring the Somerset and Devon countryside in fine weather only. During this time it’s had a brand new set of Pirelli tyres, a 123 distributor, new steering rack mounts and new engine mounts. Two years ago the E-Type was supplied by us to its most recent owner in the Highlands of Scotland. The car again has proven faultless to own and is now only available due to the upcoming completion of two full restoration projects meaning two cars of his current collection are now being sold. The car again returns to us in truly outstanding condition with a first class bodyshell demonstrating excellent straight panels and gaps, a truly outstanding gleaming paint finish, a first class show standard underside, engine bay and boot compartment, an excellent well-presented upholstery and stunning gleaming brightwork. The car is quite simply outstanding and on the road this E-Type is equally as impressive. The lovely original six cylinder engine pulls strongly holding very good oil pressure, it feels, performs and sounds superb and the rebuilt all syncro gearbox offers smooth, perfect changes, the differential is lovely and quiet, handling and braking are first class having been re-conditioned and rebuilt and everything functions as it should. WLO 257G has been rebuilt to an exceptional standard and with its impressive provenance, almost unique factory colour, it is a true genuine collectors piece that will prove very difficult to repeat.