1971 Jaguar E-Type SII Coupe

1971 Jaguar E Type SII Coupe-4.2L Inline 6 Cylinder -4 Speed Manual Transmission -60k Miles-Regency Red Over Black Interior (Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1971...

1971 Jaguar E Type SII Coupe

-4.2L Inline 6 Cylinder
-4 Speed Manual Transmission
-60k Miles
-Regency Red Over Black Interior

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1971 Jaguar E-Type Series II Coupe on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of the car due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 165 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.)

“Of course, the first thing that anyone noticed about Jaguar's new sports car was its achingly pretty body…” - Hemmings Sports and Exotics commenting on the E-Type, July 2013

As to the Series II improvements Jaguar made starting in 1969, the Hemmings folks went on: “The Series 2 4.2-liter cars that were sold for 1969, 1970 and into 1971 were distinguished with larger front marker lamps and taillamps below raised bumpers, added side marker lamps, forward-set headlamps and a larger air inlet 'mouth.' Safety considerations also meant that, following 1968's rocker switch substitution, the steering column was made collapsible, and headrests were added. A steeper-raked windshield on 2+2 models brought more glass but fewer (only two) windshield wipers. A glovebox door on all models (formerly only on 2+2s), perforated leather upholstery and newly optional power steering improved interior accommodations.”

Offered here is a 1970 Jaguar E-Type Series II Coupe in Regency Red over black. Showing 60,302 miles on the odometer, this XKE has traveled a very conservative, roughly 1,200 miles per-year on average since new. The car's well-maintained condition throughout is a tribute to owner pride and commitment to its proper maintenance across the 51 years since it first rolled out of Jaguar Works in Coventry, England.

The exterior non-metallic Regency Red paint was a perfect choice for what Enzo Ferrari once described as the most beautiful car ever made. The finish is good overall with some chips and general patina from age noted. Curve after beautiful curve, from the larger intake “mouth” (characteristic of the Series II cars), across the long hood, the cabin roof, and the short rear deck, this is a car that simply can't pass by without turning heads. The sheet metal is free of significant dents, or damage. (To best assess the quality of the paint and trim finishes, be sure to view the close-up photographs of the car in the accompanying gallery.) Cabin glass (including the left-side-hinged rear door) is clear and free of imperfections. The bumpers and other chrome bits on the car show very well; only some light patina from age is present, for example on the door handles. Lighting lenses on both the headlights and the larger, Series II-specific, tail and signaling lights are clear and free of cracking or fading. Tastefully limited badging, notably the “Jaguar cat” hood emblem and “E-Type/Jaguar/4.2” model-description lettering on the rear deck, is complete. Jaguar-branded, center-knock-off chrome wire wheels in excellent condition are mounted with period-correct tires.

The XKE's interior is a comfortable, well-turned-out driver's environment. Vertically pleated, black leather seat upholstery with perforated inserts shows virtually no significant signs of aging and very little wear. Simple matching door trim (note door-release handles are on the lowest portion of the panel) is equally well-maintained and very British. Framed by the original, black steering wheel (with wood rim and brushed-metal-trimmed 3-spoke design capped by a Jaguar-cat logo and “E-Type” designation on a checkered-flag background), the black-leather-covered dashboard is a work of automotive art. Two large Smiths® gauges—160-mph speedometer and 5,000-rpm-redline tachometer—face the driver while smaller gauges (all Smiths, of course)—monitoring: battery charging, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level—flank an analog clock. Just beneath is an impressive row of aircraft-like toggle-switch controls for lighting and other functions. A Sanyo® cassette stereo AM-FM radio is installed in the factory-radio location. The shift lever for the 4-speed manual transmission is mounted atop the console crowned with a black shift knob wearing the shift-pattern in white. (Please view the close-up photography in the gallery to best assess the condition of the XKE's interior surfaces.)

Under the racing-inspired, front-hinged, full engine cowl, the 4.2-liter inline 6-cylinder engine commands an engine bay that inherits its layout and construction processes from the World War II production lines for the Spitfire fighter plane. Not only is everything in its proper place, all surfaces—including frame members—are clean and all components are properly mounted. Authenticity has been maintained in virtually every respect. Viewed from below, the condition of the chassis and its components is, if anything, even more remarkable. Exceptionally clean surfaces abound. The independent-suspension components, and the properly routed dual-exhaust system—each of two inline exhaust manifolds devoted to three cylinders—are among the visual focal points. There is no rust.