Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale January 14th – 18th, 2015 at Russo and Steele’s 15th Annual Scottsdale Arizona Auction. Please contact us for more information.

The hit of the March 1961 Geneva show and an immediate object of desire for committed driving enthusiasts worldwide, Jaguar’s sublimely beautiful E-Type also managed to keep pace with the fast-changing sports-car market of the 1960s through the mid-1970s. Built along four distinct groups – Series I, Series 1.5, Series II and Series III – from 1961 to 1974, the E-Type is viewed by many enthusiasts as the most aesthetically desirable in Series I and 1.5 forms, given their lean, purposeful, and sleek appearance and unadulterated performance.

Interestingly, the factory never officially referred to the interim models of 1968 as Series 1.5, but there were numerous differences, most noticeable of which was the change from switch from covered to open headlamps. This car has closed headlights which is very desirable. Powered by the enlarged 4.2-liter DOHC ‘six’ introduced late in the first series, the Series 1.5 E-Type utilized twin Zenith-Stromberg carburetors; although horsepower output dropped somewhat, the new carburetors were easier to tune than the old SU units. Improvements to the interior provided additional passenger room, and the prior aircraft-style toggle switches were replaced by rockers n keeping with safety mandates.

In short, the careful and steady evolution of the E-Type meant that buyers of the Series 1.5 cars in 1968 got a much better, more comfortable and reliable Jaguar – virtues that complemented its already stellar reputation for superior performance, handling, and appearance. This highly desirable Series 1.5 E-Type is an Arizona car and the product of a complete frame-off restoration down to virtually the last nut and bolt, with the body completely stripped and the sheet metal repaired or replaced before the application of a 15,000-dollar repaint. This car has a series 1 bonnet which gives this car the Series 1 look.The powerful DOHC ‘XK’ engine was completely overhauled to original specifications, with 0 miles of use logged from completion. The interior is new, from the premier Jaguar supplier, BAS Interiors. Fully rebuilt electric wiring, a new stainless-steel exhaust and headers, a new convertible top, and a set of new wire wheels set this exceptional 1968 Series 1.5 E-Type even further apart. Very close to a 100-point car, it was rebuilt by a meticulous Jaguar enthusiast who is also an airline pilot and aircraft mechanic.