1969 Jaguar E-Type

The 1969 Jaguar E-Type Series II Fixed Head Coupe featured here is finished in its stunning, factory-correct color combination of Pale Primrose Yellow over Black leather interior. According to the accompanying Jaguar-Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, chassis no. 1R26405 was completed at the Coventry Works in May 1969. Dispatched to British Leyland of New York in June of that year, this E-Type was delivered new to California, as evidenced by its original blue-and-yellow license plates and a copy of a previously issued California state title. The title confirms 1970 as the year of the cars first sale, and the registration documents the original plate number: 973 BEX. This Pale Primrose Series II is believed to have had only three previous owners. The second owner reportedly acquired the car in 1976 from the San Francisco suburb of Concord. For reasons unknown, but likely due to a growing familys need for a more practical vehicle, the car was parked in a garage in 1989. Telltale November 1989 expiration tags on the rear plate confirm how long it sat idle. More than thirty years later, the widow and son of the second owner offered the car on BringATrailer.com as a non-running project. Quickly labeled a true barn find by the BaT community, the 31,000-mile Series II Coupe fetched over $32,000 in October 2022, selling to a St. Louis based English sports car enthusiast. When car no. 1R26405 arrived at ITS ALIVE! in November 2022, the new owner had one question: Can she be brought back to life without a full nut-and-bolt restoration? A thorough inspection revealed that while the car no longer wore its original Pale Primrose finish, the body was remarkably solid-free from corrosion, just as one would hope from a lifelong California car with low mileage. The original, numbers-matching 4.2L engine turned freely and passed a compression test, showing promising signs of life. The decision was made to approach the restoration in phases: first addressing the engine and drivability, with cosmetics to follow. Our in-house technicians began by removing and rebuilding the original Zenith-Stromberg carburetors with new throttle shafts and adjustable jets. The entire fuel system was disassembled, with all hoses replaced and steel lines either cleaned or renewed. A solid-state fuel pump was installed, and the original fuel tank was cleaned, boiled, leak-tested, and reinstalled. The engine received a full tune-up with fresh ignition components-while the original, date-stamped 1969 ignition coil was preserved. The cooling system was serviced with a new water pump and all new hoses and clamps, while the radiator was flushed and tested. With fuel, ignition, and cooling sorted, the numbers-matching engine roared back to life in January 2023-for the first time in more than three decades. It was clear that 1R26405 wasnt just running, it was proud and loud. In February 2023, phase two began: restoring drivability. The clutch and brake hydraulics were rebuilt, and the IRS assembly was removed, cleaned, disassembled, and restored using our proprietary XK-E IRS process. New rotors, pads, calipers, and stainless-steel braided flex lines were installed, along with a brand-new LHD brake pipe set. The IRS was reassembled with new subframe mounts and GIRLING remote rear caliper bleeders. After final bleeding and adjustments, the car was driven for the first time in nearly 35 years in the fall of 2023. After investing over $24,000 in parts and labor, the owner reached a crossroads. Though the car was running beautifully, it still needed cosmetic restoration. Rather than doubling down, the owner traded the Series II to ITS ALIVE! in exchange for a Jaguar Mark II Saloon-better suited for their lifestyle. Now in the hands of a premier Jaguar restoration specialist, the coupe received the attention it deserved. Under our care, 1R26405 was stripped of all chrome, trim, lamps, lenses, and glass in preparation for a full exterior respray in its original Pale Primrose Yellow. The reassembly included new windshield glass, fresh weatherstripping, and new body rubber. All exterior brightwork was either re-plated or replaced, including the bumpers, drip rail moldings, wiper arms, blades, and window trim. To highlight the E-Types motorsport heritage, we replaced the original chrome steel wheels with bolt-on 15 alloy DUNLOP wheels, wrapped in four new VREDESTEIN 185R15 Sprint Classic tires. The iconic California license plates were cleaned and straightened, complemented by a period SCCA San Francisco Region sticker on the rear window. Four removable, magnetic white 12 roundels (referencing the cars model year) add a final motorsport touch. Inside, the interior was refreshed using materials sourced from Muncie Imports & Classics. Underneath new carpeting lies a layer of Dynamat insulation. Additional new items include seat leather and foam, sill vinyl, center console coverings, and cargo-area inserts. The original suede headliner, matching visors, wood-rimmed steering wheel, 1969-dated KANGOL seatbelts, and a functional period PHILLIPS AM/FM radio remain in place. Under the bonnet, the numbers-matching 4.2L XK engine has been detailed, and the factory-painted frame rails were carefully preserved during cleaning. Today, 1R26405 presents as a fully restored Series II Coupe with a brilliant finish, refreshed interior, and sorted mechanicals. The detailed engine bay provides a true wow factor when opening the bonnet to reveal the legendary XK inline-six, while thoughtful touches like the alloy DUNLOP wheels help this E-Type stand out-even among other restored examples. ITS ALIVE! is proud to offer this low-mileage, California-kept, sympathetically restored E-Type Series II Fixed Head Coupe. To inquire further, call us at 314-710-6600 or email Sales@ItsAliveAuto.com.