Early Jaguar E Type with incredible history.
The car which is owned by Lucy Arnold has been in her ownership for some 20 years, brought as an import project but put into storage awaiting her partner Darren to carry out a full nut and bolt restoration. Time passed and other things took priority but finally it was decided the car should be made ready for the 60th anniversary of the E Type in 2020 and the challenge was set.
Whist work was underway Jaguar Heritage was contacted and it was discovered that the car was originally registered in Coventry home of Jaguar before being exported to Singapore in 1962. With perseverance the car was even allocated its original UK registration mark.
Further research revealed the the car had a racing pedigree which included the 1964 Malaysian Grand Prix campaigned by driver J W Wright who crashed in the race tragically killing a Marshall and seriously injuring the driver all of which is can be read about in the book “Snakes and devils”.
The part built car arrived at our workshop for a tasteful (but far from standard) Alcantara headliner, dash, carpet and door cards to be fitted.
Darren then collected the car to carry on with assembly and other works all undertaken by himself. We didn’t hear much about progress until Darren brought us the seats and announced that he would like them in in a few days time so that the car could be present at the E Type 60th Aniversary gathering at Shelley Walsh hill climb. Again the challenge was accepted and the freshly trimmed black leather seats were reunited with the car just in the nick of time.
Fast foreward to April 2022 when I got to see the completed car for the first time. All I can say is what an absolute stunner…..
I will let the pictures tell the rest of the story.
Thank you Lucy and Darren
