1966 Jaguar E-Type Series I Roadster 4.2
- Engine
- 4.2L inline-six, 265 bhp (numbers-matching, rebuilt; Getrag five-speed fitted)
- Colour
- Carmen Red
A 1966 Jaguar E-Type Series I 4.2-litre roadster, originally finished in triple black and dispatched to Jaguar's New York importer. Subsequently repainted in Carmen Red and mechanically refreshed during American ownership, the car was later imported to the United Kingdom in 2020. It features a rebuilt numbers-matching engine, a Getrag five-speed gearbox conversion (original four-speed retained), rebuilt differential, and numerous performance and handling upgrades carried out by California specialist XK's Unlimited.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate £115,000 – £140,000
- 1966-06-01 →Factory deliveryJaguar Cars New Yorkpartial documentation
Car delivered from the factory in triple-black configuration to the New York distributor on this date.
- 1989 →Acquisition unknownW.D. 'Bill' Nelsonpartial documentation
Based in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey; reportedly commissioned a repaint in Carmen Red, interior retrim, and engine rebuild by a Jaguar specialist during his ownership.
- → 2020Acquisition unknownPrevious UK-based ownerpartial documentation
This owner supplied historic photographs from the 1990s alongside the car; the vehicle was imported to the United Kingdom in 2020, suggesting this owner facilitated or carried out that import.
- Date unknownPrivate saleNew York area dealernone documentation
Nelson reportedly sold the car to this unidentified regional dealer sometime in the late 1990s; no further detail given.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1989Bodywork
Exterior repainted from original triple black to Carmen Red, and the interior leather was fully reupholstered.
Work carried out during Bill Nelson's ownership.
- 1989Engine rebuildMotorcraft Inc.
The 4.2-litre six-cylinder engine was rebuilt by a Jaguar specialist.
Work performed by Joe Maletsky of Motorcraft Inc., Rutherford, New Jersey.
- —Engine rebuildXK's Unlimited
The numbers-matching 4.2-litre engine was rebuilt again, and a Getrag five-speed manual gearbox was fitted as a replacement for the original four-speed unit; the original synchromesh gearbox was retained and is supplied with the car. Invoices dated 2009–2017 totalling approximately USD 31,000 document this work.
Workshop located in San Luis Obispo, California; invoices span 2009 to 2017.
- —MechanicalXK's Unlimited
The rear differential was rebuilt; supporting invoices from the same specialist and associated suppliers total approximately USD 18,600.
Documented by invoices from XK's Unlimited and third-party specialist suppliers.
- —Modification
A range of performance and handling upgrades was fitted, including an aluminium radiator and header tank, thermostatically controlled electric fan, six-branch exhaust manifold with stainless system, electronic ignition with silicon leads, adjustable torsion bar reaction plate, Gaz adjustable dampers, Wilwood front brake calipers, Zeus rear calipers, and 72-spoke chrome wire wheels with Pirelli P4000 tyres. A period-style Nardi steering wheel and replacement black soft top were also installed.
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