Guide price: £128000 - £148000.  
- Just three owners. Current one for 31-years
- Ground up, nut and bolt restoration by XK Engineering restoration completed in 1992. Chrome/stainless wires
- Fitted with Martin Robey 'System Three' monocoque, bonnet, boot lid and doors. Stainless steel exhaust 
- 4.2 gearbox, servo assisted 4.2 brakes, Kenlowe fan, electronic ignition, and a semi-sealed cooling system 
- 5670 HJ is as nice a Series 1 as you'll find
  With Jaguar's racing successes in the 1950s still fresh in the memory, it's no wonder the E-Type captured the hearts and minds of a patriotic public at launch, and if all E-Types wore their years as well as the car offered here, it's easy to understand why that affection continues today. The Series I, as it later became known, was introduced, initially for export only, in March 1961, and UK cars began to appear in showrooms some four months later in early July. Just as in their world-beating D-Types, a monocoque tub formed the main body/chassis structure while a tubular spaceframe extended forwards to support the engine. The cars were initially fitted with the triple SU carburetted, 3.8-litre, six-cylinder Jaguar XK6 engine from the XK150S mated to a Moss (EB) 4-speed gearbox. Developed from that of the original XK120 sports car and refined in the racing D-Type, the double-wishbone, independent front suspension was mounted on the forward subframe. At the rear, the E-Type's suspension broke new ground for a large-capacity sports car, being independent at a time when most of its major rivals relied on the traditional live rear axle. Dunlop disc brakes were fitted to all four wheels; those at the rear being mounted inboard alongside the differential to reduce un-sprung weight.  With a claimed 265 horsepower available, the E-Type's performance furthered the standards set by the preceding XK models, partly because it weighed around 500lbs less than the XK150 but mainly because aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer used the experience gained with the D-Type to create one of the most elegant and efficient shapes ever to grace a motor car.The car's Heritage Certificate tells us that this lovely, right-hand drive, E-Type Roadster left the production line on 29th June 1962, finished in Carmen Red with Red trim and a Black soft top, and bound for Henlys of London. In addition, the 'green' Log Book tells us that it was first registered on the 29th August of that year and the car's lucky first owner was a John Stephen Hinely in the lovely Devon town of Brixham.One more owner followed Mr Hinely before 5679 HJ began the second half of its life some 31 years ago on May 19th 1987 when it was purchased by our vendor. He made the decision that he was going to keep the car for the foreseeable future and a full restoration was in order.In 1987, it was entrusted to Martin Robey Engineering Ltd.who for many years have been acknowledged as the major player in the manufacture and supply of parts for Classic Jaguars. Their unique body building facility for E-Type Jaguars is world renowned and they have been responsible for the restoration of some very important E-Types including 77 RW (the first production E-Type) and HDU 555N (the last car ever), both on behalf of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust (JDHT). A "System Three" rebuild was chosen and this included a completely new Monocoque (body shell), new bonnet, boot lid and doors. A new bulkhead is normally part of a System Three build but in this case, our vendor chose, in the interest of originality, to utilise the existing bulkhead and engine frames and these were shot blasted and prepared for reassembly. The car was then transferred to XK Engineering in Coventry to work their legendary magic and complete the restoration. There is an invoice in the file from Coventry Engine Components for pistons and liners so presumably, the engine benefitted from a top-end rebuild at the same time.Mechanical/electrical upgrades to E-types are the norm these days and in fact, often enhance the value. 5679 HJ has been fitted with a later 4.2 gearbox, servo assisted 4.2 brakes, a Kenlowe fan, electronic ignition, a semi-sealed cooling system, external fuel pump, stainless steel exhaust, and chrome/stainless wire wheels. It was then superbly painted in the original Carmen Red, fully retrimmed in Black with Red piping, and fitted with a new Mohair hood. It was Waxoyled underneath before being returned to our delighted vendor. There is a photograph album with the car full of images of the rebuild. Our caring vendor insists that, since its return from restoration, he has never used it on salty roads and only taken it out on sunny days. The speedometer failed in 2006 and was recalibrated and currently reads 10,334 miles.There is a bespoke dust cover with the Jaguar and the car is accompanied by the old 'green' Log Book, current V5, the Heritage Certificate, previous MoTs, lots of photos, a number of invoices totalling many thousands of pounds, various spares, a hide 'knock-off' hammer, and a fresh MoT.5670 HJ is as nice a Series 1 as you'll find. The engine and chassis numbers match and the replacement gearbox is listed on the Heritage Certificate. The Martin Robey Bodyshell mounted on the original chassis, bulkhead and engine frames is a complete bonus as the shut lines are nigh-on perfect and the bodywork has only covered a few thousand miles. The later gearbox, bigger brakes, and mechanical and electrical upgrades address all the known 'niggles' with the Series 1, effectively turning this into a viable long-distance tourer.From 31 years of caring ownership, this is a very special car.