2010-01-14 11:20:07 | McNabb writes:

Car was wrecked and rebodied and rebuilt as a lightweight. RS Panels and Abbey Panels, raced by Philip Bennett of Leeds. 1993 outright lap record at Willaston circuit Isle of Man

2010-02-01 22:39:42 | Henry P. Camisasca writes:

1961 E-Type OTS #850301 also raced under Registration number PNW 127C as well as WAP 66. This car was originally built up as a lightweight competition car from an Opalescent Dark Blue flat floor roadster with outside bonnet locks. It was first registered as a road car in 1965, but was raced extensively in the 1960’s by Mick Jones of Surrey and later by Fred Cliffe of Halifax. The car was damaged in 1970 at Croft, when it was then acquired by Philip Bennett of Leeds, a northern “E” type exponent. Bennett raced the car with some success in 1971, 72, and 73 until it was substantially damaged at Longridge. Bennett retained ownership of the car for the next 21 years and rebuilt it to its present condition which includes an all alloy body, bulkheads, and hardtop by RS Panels of Attercliffe Industrial Estate. Additionally the car features original factory lightweight bonnet, brakes, suspension, and centrelok peg drive “D” alloy wheels. The 3.8 engine is full “D” dry sump specifications with a Getrag close ratio 5 speed gearbox.

This E-type has an interesting competition history which I have listed below. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who may be able to shed more light on #850301s past race history. Documents and or photos would warrant a big “thank you” - Henry

1968 Brands Hatch mod sports lap record – Mick Jones

1971/72 Harewood Hillclimb Topcliffe (long & short) – Philip Bennett

1993 Isle of Man Willaston circuit outright lap record – Philip Bennett

1993 Snetterton winner Birkett 6 hour race – Philip Bennett

2015-11-06 15:19:41 | Chas Parker writes:

Does anyone know the whereabouts of Mick Jones these days?

2016-01-14 14:24:03 | terry mcgrath writes:

found this at tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php
1961 E-Type OTS #850301 also raced under Registration number PNW 127C as well as WAP 66. This car was originally built up as a lightweight competition car from an Opalescent Dark Blue flat floor roadster with outside bonnet locks. It was first registered as a road car in 1965, but was raced extensively in the 1960's by Mick Jones of Surrey and later by Fred Cliffe of Halifax. The car was damaged in 1970 at Croft, when it was then acquired by Philip Bennett of Leeds, a northern "E" type exponent. Bennett raced the car with some success in 1971, 72, and 73 until it was substantially damaged at Longridge. Bennett retained ownership of the car for the next 21 years and rebuilt it to its present condition which includes an all alloy body, bulkheads, and hardtop by RS Panels of Attercliffe Industrial Estate. Additionally the car features original factory lightweight bonnet, brakes, suspension, and centrelok peg drive "D" alloy wheels. The 3.8 engine is full "D" dry sump specifications with a Getrag close ratio 5 speed gearbox. - 1968 Brands Hatch mod sports lap record - Mick Jones - 1971/72 Harewood Hillclimb Topcliffe (long &short) - Philip Bennett - 1993 Isle of Man Willaston circuit outright lap record - Philip Bennett - 1993 Snetterton winner Birkett 6 hour race - Philip Bennett Cars & Coffee, Irvine CA, July 2012
I have some great pics of the Cliffe car after the fire and also a big accident

2016-02-18 04:52:28 | Henry Camisasca writes:

Hi Terry,
Thank you for your feedback on 850301. I would love to see a few pictures of Cliffe E-type after the fire and big accident. Please forward them to my email address.

Much thanks - Henry

2016-02-19 17:58:04 | Stefan writes:

I am confused.... 850301 was built up from an outside bonnet lock Roadster, right?!
But why the heck has its original car no. not been retained, which must have been between 850001 and 850091? What was the reason and motivation for renumbering?
And if such a car has been used to rebuild 850301, what happened with the real 850301?

2016-02-21 16:13:00 | Henry writes:

850301 is still in there, and as with most race cars from this time frame, is an evolution of period parts. RS Panels did the transformation to a full Lightweight specs after a hard crash at Longridge sometime after '73. What is still unknown is the original ownership history from '62.

2018-11-22 10:38:47 | Glenn writes:

This is not the Mick Jones car, which was chassis no 850088. This was sold to Jack Le Fort on 2 Oct 1961 and registered 178ML. Bought by me in 67 and converted to modsports spec by me and raced in 68/9/70. Sold to Mick Jones in 1970 and raced by him with great success until sold to Fred Cliffe.

2019-01-21 12:28:36 | Peter writes:

Hi Glenn, please can you give more information on 178 ML... it seems some confusion on this site with 850079 and 850088, both of which are not what they seem.

Do you know how many cars Jack Le Fort raced please.... I used to own the Jack Le Fort race E-Type and it wasn't 178 ML ??

The plot thickens.

2019-01-25 13:47:08 | John S writes:

Innes .... would you care to elaborate? This is an information site where numerous facts and sometimes “ alternate facts” are posted. We await your reply.

2019-02-10 11:14:36 | Henry Camisasca writes:

OK, to the best of my knowledge, here is what we do know from doing some fairly extensive research about 850301 Registration # WAP 66.

Built: 13 December 1961, dispatched 2 January 1962. Opalescent Dark Blue flat floor roadster with outside bonnet locks. Sold via Henlys Limited, London UK.

First registered to H. A. Pierpoint of Hayswards Heath, UK as WAP 66, father of British Saloon Champion Roy Pierpoint. This was an East Sussex registration issued between December 1961 and February 1962. Subsequently this E-Type was given to Patricia Pierpoint, daughter of H.A. Pierpoint.

Patricia confirmed in writing 850301 was part exchanged at a garage Hersham and Walton Motors (HWM) on the Thames, New Zealand Avenue but does not recall the date of trade.

At this point in our research, what seems to not be known is what became of 850301 WAP 66 after being traded in to HWM. It is this period in time between HWM and Phil Bennet ownership in early 1970s that has not been documented. 

The original above posted information with ties to Mick Jones as relayed to me on purchase of this vehicle appears to be untrue, so early race history, if any, or the third owner seems to be a mystery.  

2021-09-02 12:03:33 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:

www.westcoastetype.com/vehicles/25/1961-jaguar-e-type-3-8-lightweight

1961 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Lightweight

Seller's description:

Aluminium body carried out by RS Panels of Nuneaton, United Kingdom

Engine built to Dtype drysump specification

Piper cams

45 DCOE Weber carburettors

Accralite pistons

2" inlet valves

Fully gas flowed head

Fully balanced bottom end to 6,500 r.p.m.

Power output approx 330 b h p at the flywheel

Getrag c/r 5 speed competition gearbox

Centrelok peg drive alloys as "D"

Fully trimmed seats in red leather and wilton by Suffolk & Turley

Speedo & rev counter "D" chromometric

Willans 4 point harness

Roll bar

Duel fire extinguisher system

External ignition and extinguisher switches

Fireproof bulkheads

Lightweight E-type #850301Researched History

Specifications - 1961 E-Type OTS #850301 also raced under Registration number PNW 127C as well as WAP 66. This car was originally built up overtime as a lightweight competition car from an Opalescent Dark Blue flat floor roadster with outside bonnet locks. Little is know about it's early race history, however the car was damaged in 1970 at Croft, when it was then acquired by Philip Bennett of Leeds, a northern "E" type exponent. Bennett raced the car with some success in 1971, 72, and 73 until it was substantially damaged at Longridge. Bennett retained ownership of the car for the next 21 years and rebuilt it to its present condition which includes an all alloy body, bulkheads, and hardtop by RS Panels of Attercliffe Industrial Estate. Additionally the car features original factory lightweight bonnet, brakes, suspension, and centrelok peg drive "D" alloy wheels. The +330 HP 3.8L engine is full "D" dry sump specifications with a Getrag close ratio 5 speed gearbox

2023-02-01 08:45:33 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:

woodham-mortimer.com/Cars/For-Sale/1961-Jaguar-E-Type-Lightweight/914879a2-33c7- ...

Seller's description:

A beautiful 1961 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight - presented in Opalescent Silver Blue, with Red Leather Interior.

A very well known Car, on both sides of the Atlantic. The Car was featured at ‘The Quail’ Motorsport Gathering Event in Monterey, California in 2011, during Pebble Beach Week, celebrating the Jaguar E-Type 50th Anniversary.

Mechanically and aesthetically superb, the Car was built up as an Competition E-Type car from an early E-Type Flat Floor ‘OBL’ Roadster.

The base Car itself is very notable as the 301st E-Type produced and the first factory E-Type produced with Internal Hood Latches and also the first E-Type built with factory fitted Seatbelt Anchors.

The Car has a good period race history and was raced extensively in the 1960’s by Mick Jones. It was acquired by Philip Bennett of Leeds, a very well-known 'E-Type’ specialist. Bennett raced the car with some success in 1971, ‘72 and ‘73, it was substantially damaged racing at Longridge in 1973. Bennett retained ownership of the car for the next 21 years and rebuilt it to its present condition which includes an All Aluminium Body, Bulkhead and Hardtop.

The Car was built on the 13th December 1961 and was dispatched on the 2nd January 1962. Sold via Henlys Limited, London UK to Mr HA Pierpoint, father of British Saloon Car Champion Roy Pierpoint. Subsequently this E-Type was given to his daughter Patricia Pierpoint. Patricia confirmed in writing 850301 was part exchanged at a HWM Motors. Around 1965 the Car was owned by Fred Cliffe, before being sold to Bennett in 1970.

The Car was then owned by Tony Statham from 1994 to 2001, who competed with the Car three times in the prestigious Rallye des Pyrenees. The Car come back to ourselves in the early 2000’s where it underwent a full mechanical overhaul and was sold to Mr Roger Clark in 2004, who kept the Car until 2006, when it was shipped to the United States to its new owner.

The Car comes with a huge file of Invoices, receipts, researched history file, factory build sheet, restoration photos, and race history images and printed results.

The Car was also raced under Registration number PNW127C, 95PJ as well as WAP66 and is presented as a very serious Competition E-Type.

Bodywork: All aluminium body by RS Panels. Bonnet by Abbey Panels, from the original 1962 Jaguar factory Lightweight batch.

Engine: +330 HP 3.8L Racing Engine, Full ‘D’ Dry-sump specification, Piper Cams, 45 DCOE Weber Carburettors, Over-bored to 88mm, Accralite Pistons, 2” Inlet valves - fully gasflowed head, 10mm spark plugs, fully balanced bottom end to 6500rpm

Gearbox: Getrag close ratio 5 Speed Competition

Wheels: Centrelok ‘D’ Peg Drive Alloys

Trim: Fully trimmed in Red Leather and Wilton. Seats by Suffolk and Turley.

Instruments: Speedo and Rev Counter ‘D’ Chronometric.

Race Equipment: Willans four point harness, Roll bar, Race Exhaust by Tony Law, Dual fire extinguisher system and external ignition and extinguisher switches. New Clutch fitted less than 100 miles ago.

Race History

1968 Brands Hatch Mod Sports Lap Record - Mick Jones

1971 Harewood Hillclimb - Philip Bennett

1972 Topcliffe (long & short) - Philip Bennett

1993 Isle of Man Willaston circuit outright lap record - Philip Bennett

1993 Snetterton winner Birkett 6 hour race - Philip Bennett

1995 Rallye des Pyrenees - Tony Statham

1996 Rallye des Pyrenees - Tony Statham

1997 Rallye des Pyrenees - Tony Statham

2024-11-08 15:59:49 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/car/C1777829

Seller's description:

1961 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight 3.8 For Sale

5,000 Kilometres

850301

Dealer J.D Classics

United Kingdom

Otherwise as above