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| Lot number | 56 |
|---|---|
| Hammer value | £16,000 |
| Description | Jaguar E-Type S1 3.8 FHC |
| Registration | YVH 264 |
| Year | 1963 |
| Colour | Aubergine |
| Engine size | 3,800 cc |
| Chassis No. | 861224 |
| Engine No. | RA2678-9 |
Launched in March 1961 the E-Type took the world by storm. William Lyons’ ability to design a car which looked just right was by then already legendary, however with the E-Type he 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 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 when 9” was added to the chassis length along with longer doors to aid getting in and out.
This 3.8 Coupe was purchased by the vendor in around 1986 as a restoration project. Unfortunately work commitments got in the way and he barely got started, the project remaining stored away in the dry garage attached to his house.
First registered in July 1963, it retains its original buff log book and sports what is left of its original Aubergine paintwork. At some point it looks like a previous owner has tried to update the looks of the car, fitting a later S2 bonnet and adding 4.2 badges to the rear, although as yet we have been unable to verify whether the engine was updated at the same time. It retains its original aluminium centre dashboard and leather trimmed bucket seats which are correct for the car.
Clearly in need of a full restoration and not for the faint hearted, it nevertheless represents a superb blank canvas that can be restored to the new owner\'s specification. One of only 1,799 original right-hand drive Series 1 Coupes made, it should amply reward the work required.
CATALOGUE AMENDMENT: As far as we are aware, the engine and chassis numbers are the same as on the original buff log-book.
