771 68 ots w/ covered headlights?

I own 1E14928 which was built in February of 1967 and is a Series 1 open headlight car. It is a low mileage, three owner car and has all of it's original sheet metal. I also own 1E13563 which is an all original, 27000 mile car, has covered headlights and was built in October of 1966. This is consistent with the JCNA judges guide for Series 1 cars. It states that the covered headlights were discontinued at 1E14535 (1E14532 in the U.S. and Canada spares bulletin). There are many stories and conjecture regarding cars of this era and the headlamps. Even if there were some 68's built that way, the value would be hard to determine as there is no real proof it came from the factory that way. There are many cars on XKE Data built well after mine that now have covered headlamps. The reality is that most restorations of these cars included a change to covered. I chose to leave mine open as this is the way it was built and I do enjoy being able to see at night!

Joseph why not consult the JCNA guide for S1 cars--it is not as easy as a cut off number.

Just as a rule of thumb, the headlights were uncovered in production before the dual carbs and rocker switches were added. Seeing those on a car throws up red flags. However, the covered headlight bonnet is prettier than the 1.5 since the 1.5 has the earlier bumpers anyway. Just not for the price they are asking. For that price, it had better be hard to find anything wrong with the car, especially a Series 1.5.

That was my reaction from the photos but it's advertised as a true covered headlight car, so I consulted my library. Both Porter and Haddock state 15888 was the last LHD covered headlight ots. Skilleter says it was 15180.

This car is late enough that is has the dual strombergs although the early system and also has the rocker dash switches. Someone has replace the bonnet at some point in the cars life. It did not come from the factory this way. If it sells for the asking price, it will be a record for a Series 1.5 car or close to it.

May I ask what Jaguar factory formation the quoted "conventional wisdom" number as to when the covered headlights were deleted comes from?
Bob