1961 E Type FHC - 885020

Specification for this project as follows: Total restoration of the last outside bonnet latch E Type FHC built to absolutely original specs.

Factory records document this car to be the last outside latch coupe built. Only eighteen left hand drive outside latch coupes left the factory and this particular car is one of only eight known survivors. The Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate shows the car was originally Opalescent Dark Blue with Light Blue interior. The certificate also confirms that all the numbers (body, engine, gearbox, etc) are matching. In fact, of the eight known survivors, we understand this particular car is one of only three that still has its original engine, the others being 885004 and 885018.

Over the years, 885020 has been hacked about by some of its previous owners in the name of restoration. It currently sports such 'custom features' as welded up bonnet seams, a conversion to inside bonnet latches, at least three different color schemes (currently black), interior trim items from a later (1963) car, a brace of additional gauges mounted on the console by the handbrake - as well as the remnants of an aftermarket air conditioning system. At some stage, the car even suffered the ignominy of having a pair of period Amercian sedan seats installed! Needless to say, we will obviously be restoring everything back to absolutely original specifications.

885020 as it first arrived at CJ
The bonnet has been de-seamed. It may even be a replacement bonnet	Welded louvres
1961 date stamps on master cylinder tags	Clips for jack handle	Later radiator and expansion tank
	Original picture frame	Headlamp glass of later vintage (1963), as  is shifter mound alloy trim
All the numbers match	Carbs are in a box in the boot	Cut to accommodate an AC compressor
	How many gauges does an E Type need....	Correct flat top early dash and vents
Screen is aftermarket replacement	Funky rear view mirror
	Trans tunnel has a few  extra holes	Rear parcel shelf has been chopped - very strange....
Original matching number Moss box	Crude repairs done to LH firewall and engine frame	Opalescent Silver Blue lurking beneath  the current black