CUT 7 – E Type Pair of One

Filed under: Classic News,Racing |
Cut 7A almost complete and comes complete with rear quarter air-ducts crafted in Protheroe’s era4th July 2016 a Jaguar E Type Roadster, alongside a Coupe, on a circuit that would be familiar to both. Although both cars offer unique and fascinating histories they are intertwined and as Adrian Hamilton pointed out to me ‘it is morally correct that they sold together’. To fully appreciate the significance of this Goodwood re-union, a delve into the past explains much. Dick Protheroe, ex RAF pilot and racer looked to Jaguar to enhance his motorsport career, having already prepared and modified an old XK120, at the start of the 60s Protheroe wanted something faster. Obtaining chassis 860004, the fourth E Type Coupe from the production line, this 3.8 from 1961 would display the first CUT 7 registration. 256 DJU enjoyed an illustrious career winning across Europe bringing glory to several pilotsResults achieved during the 1962 season were impressive, even for a works driver, but for a privateer Protheroe excelled and would challenge all the big names of the period. The first CUT 7 was then sold in early 1963, replaced following a factory visit with a lighter self-assembled version with body modifications that are still apparent today. This Coupe made its first appearance at a very wet Snetterton but was one of several cars that endured an ‘off’. Rolling several times, it was badly damaged but remarkably returned to race duty at Goodwood within 10 days. Several podiums followed with victories at Silverstone and Mallory Park but by mid-season an all-new low drag E Type was being prepared; the second CUT 7 was therefore sold and became 256 DJU. Nineteen-year-old Roger Mac took over in the seat of 256 DJU and proceeded to win across the country with eight victories and three seconds between June and October 1963. John Lewis took the roadster to many victories and is the force behind the Coupe’s returnFour more victories came in 1964 by which time young Roger Mac was launching a Formula 2 career in a Brabham and 256 DJU was taken over by David ‘Fireball’ Cunningham who then sold it on to East Hants Racing for the 1965 season. A crash during testing at Silverstone badly damaged the front end so owners of East Hants, Paul Vestey and Rick Ward purchased a Roadster body from Browns Lane and transferred all of the running gear across. The damaged coupe monocoque found its way into the hands of Jaguar apprentice Dick Soans who repaired the Coupe shell before Jaguar collector Penny Woodley became the new custodian in 1967. East Hants looked towards Le Mans and sold the roadster to John Lewis who enjoyed considerable success, especially in the 1967 season. 256 DJU would win 21 races including a remarkable 17 consecutive firsts and set six lap records around the UK. Lewis went on competing in the mod-sports category until 1969 by which time the roadster would have been recognised by enthusiasts across Europe. The pair combined on the startfinish straight both versions have seen beforeA decade later Lewis re-purchased the car and with Jaguar factory assistance he prepared 256 DJU for the FIA Series re-united with Roger Mac in the driving seat. The roadsters habit of winning continued with three further Championships in 1983, 85 and 87 and with its pedigree firmly established has remained in the care of John Lewis until now. Penny Woodley competed for many years in the Coupe, mainly in hill climbs before kindly donating the shell which John Lewis is having rebuilt into a ‘fast-road’ specification and it will be sold together with 256 DJU which he has owned since 1979. Nearly fifty years on the original Coupe shell has been restored and coloured in Protheroe livery and within weeks of completion, it will display the registration CUT 7A. Many interested parties visited the West Sussex circuit on the 1st Monday in July to view a pair of E’s which are totally unique but yet share the same Protheroe DNA.Tags: