19 July 2024 | Market News
While some cars claiming to be barn finds have often spent a few years stored in nothing more than a lock-up garage, this is the ‘real deal’, with Hampson’s managing director, Zach Hamilton, having great fun shooing away the chickens to unearth it.
Amazingly, the 4.2-litre E-type Series II has been stored in the barn since 1986. The vendor’s late husband bought it as a 21st birthday to himself in the mid-1970s and it was used by the family until an attempt was made to steal it from outside a branch of Woolworths. It was promptly tucked away in the barn and has remained there ever since, untouched for nearly 40 years.
According to Hampson Auctions, the E-type requires a “complete, ground-up restoration”. Offered with no reserve, enabling the market to decide how it should be valued, the winning bidder paid just £8,550 including the buyer’s premium of 12.5 per cent plus VAT.
Although the 2+2 has traditionally been seen as less desirable than shorter-wheelbase E-types, its added practicality has won it many friends over the years. And in Series II guise, which arrived in 1968, it was arguably at its best, with the latest version benefiting from chunky wrap-around bumpers, repositioned tail lamps, as well as a bigger front intake allowing greater airflow to suit cars fitted with newly-available air conditioning. The Series II 2+2 gained a more raked windscreen to give it a less ungainly appearance, while all versions received a safety-inspired interior upgrade, with rocker switches instead of the previous rows of sharp toggles.
To see a video of the E-type as discovered in its barn, head to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXnPJD4XDY4&t=3s.
For further information on the Jaguars heading to auction with Hampsons, visit https://hampsonauctions.com
