Jaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Roadster

The world looked on open mouthed as William Lyons unveiled his new E-Type Jaguar at the 1961 Geneva show. He must have had an inkling of what he had achieved, however with the E-Type he had surpassed even himself. It was not just the looks that made everyone sit up though. Autocar and Motor tested an early E-Type at 149mph – a truly extraordinary achievement for a road car in 1961. The first cars used the 3.8 litre engine from the XK 150S in a new chassis which carried torsion bar front suspension with an independent coil set up at the rear. It was also one of the first cars to use discs brakes all round which was entirely necessary given its remarkable performance. 

The Series 1 was upgraded to 4.2 litres in 1964 and a stretched 2+2 added to the range in 1966. It was also available with an automatic gearbox. The so called Series 1 ½ was an interim model which was introduced as a model year change, principally to assist in the US market, featuring open headlights, modified switchgear and a different engine tune.

The Series 2 proper was then produced between 1969 and 1971. This featured a number of styling changes, including larger indicators and tail-lights and a larger “mouth” at the front. These cars can also be identified by their ribbed cam covers and rocker switches which replaced the toggles which fell foul of the US safety legislation.

According to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, chassis number 1E15721 began life as a 1967 Series 1 left-hand drive roadster. Its open headlights and ribbed cam covers would suggest a Series 1 ½ model, however it is widely known that Jaguar produced some Series 1 cars, very late on, with open headlights. It is understood that some 1,350 – 1,400 left-hand drive roadsters were made with this configuration, the last left-hand drive Series 1 roadster wearing chassis number 1E15888 according to the Jaguar Club of North America concours guidance notes.

CAD 457E was first registered in the UK in 1990 and was extensively refurbished by Allan Lloyd Motors in Surrey and Four Ashes garage in Stratford. Invoices totalling some £25,000 accompany the vehicle which show that it was converted from left to right-hand drive, along with new sills, a full engine rebuild, new radiator, fans, sump, brake discs and a differential overhaul.

The vendor purchased it in 2003 from the E-Type Centre in Loughborough. Since then it has had only light use and has been well cared for. He purchased it as a reliable and well-sorted classic car and so it has proved, always starting instantly and running faultlessly during his ownership. He has decided to sell it simply because he does not get the time to use it as he would like.

His loss could be your gain, as this late Series 1 is ready to go, being a rare interim model offered in very good condition at an attractive guide price.