1970 Jaguar E-Type Open Two Seater Series 2 Project

Highlights

• Over £116,000 invested in restoration work to date
• Accompanied by detailed independent inspection reports
• Jaguar Heritage Trust Production Record Trace Certificate accompanies the car
• Work carried out to a very high standard, as shown in the photographs
• UK import taxes paid

The Appeal

Ever since the end of the Second World War, British car manufacturers were heavily dependent on the US export market. The Series 2 E-Type was introduced in response to the latest US safety and emissions requirements. It incorporated open headlights, larger wrap-around bumpers, safety rocker switches, and twin Stromberg carburettors.
This 1970 left-hand drive example was originally dispatched to the British Leyland distributor in New York. It was imported to the UK, where it was entrusted to Hawk Classics for a multi-phase restoration. Over £116,000 was paid towards the work before Hawk Classics ceased trading in late 2025 and subsequently entered liquidation.
The engine, gearbox, interior, wiring, and wheels remain uninstalled or incomplete, and the vehicle is offered as-is in its current partially assembled state. This is an opportunity for a specialist or enthusiast to acquire a Series 2 E-Type project with documented provenance and significant prior investment. The quality of work up to this point would appear to be very high, offering an excellent starting point for what will, with continued investment, be an exceedingly fine restored example.

Key Information

• Mileage: N/A (no odometer fitted)
• Country of registration: unregistered: originally dispatched to the USA,UK with taxes paid
• Safety inspection status: N/A (will qualify for UK MOT/road tax exemption)
• Technical specs: 4.2-litre XK straight-six petrol, four-speed manual
• Paperwork: Jaguar Heritage Trust Production Record Trace Certificate, independent inspection reports, restoration documentation and payment records
• Missing parts list included in the gallery. This list is comprehensive however may not be complete.

The Detail

• Incomplete restoration project, sold as-is in a partially disassembled state
• Manufactured on 8 June 1970 as a left-hand drive Series 2 4.2-litre Open Two-Seater
• Original specification: Regency Red exterior with Black interior and soft top
• Dispatched to British Leyland distributor in New York, USA on 28 September 1970
• Restoration commissioned with Hawk Classics in April 2021, with a planned eight-phase programme totalling £146,535 (inc. VAT)
• Over £116,000 paid towards restoration phases 1 through 6
• An independent inspector in July 2025 noted the body had been painted maroon and reported the finish presented well
• A December 2025 inspection by Harding Auto Services identified £40,630 (ex. VAT) in missing or unpurchased items from Phases 5 and 6
• Outstanding items reported to include gearbox kit, interior retrim, brightwork re-chroming, wheels, hood, and ancillary parts
• 69 hours of Phase 6 labour reported as unperformed
• Hawk Classics ceased involvement in November 2025 and subsequently entered liquidation
• Vehicle and remaining parts recovered by the vendor; no further restoration work has been carried out
• The vendor does not wish to commission another restorer and is selling the vehicle as-is

BEFORE YOU BUY

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