Jaguar E-Type 3.8 - Reader Ride

By: Cliff Chambers

Date: 21.10.2021

We caught up with Gary Kleinschmidt and his Jag E-Type at the recent Mac's Bridge car display in Queensland

Sitting anonymously amongst the array of E-types at Mac’s Bridge was one of the world’s oldest and most significant fixed roof coupes.

Gary Kleinschmidt’s car was despatched in October 1961 from Jaguar’s Brown’s Lane factory to a dealer in Scotland and for display at that year’s Scottish Motor Show. It is acknowledged as just the 14th coupe to come off Jaguar’s production line.

| Reader Resto: Jaguar E-Type Series I

The car was discovered in Scotland by a friend of Gary’s late brother, Wayne Kleinschmidt, and brought to Australia in 1992. It had been used as regular transport and rust was attacking significant areas of the structure.

"The bonnet was pretty much okay but in behind the seats and the doors there was a lot of work needed," Gary said. "At the same time, we did a full mechanical restoration and, after some delays, finished the car around 2010. And yes, those painted wire wheels are authentic."

"People ask if they were painted in deference to the frugal Scots, but I suspect they weren’t chromed because with salt and moisture on their roads the wheels would need to be constantly pulled apart and rechromed whereas these they just repainted."

| Read next: Mac's Bridge display 2021

From Unique Cars #457, Sep 2021

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