Jaguar E-Type S1 3.8 Coupe

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An overnight sensation, the E-Type completely stole the show when unveiled at the Geneva Salon in 1961 and its Malcolm Sayer-designed bodywork remains a show-stopper more than 50 years on.

Priced at a very reasonable £2,250 (around £38,000 in today’s money), it substantially undercut the likes of Aston Martin and Ferrari, cars against which it competed on more than even terms. Not just a pretty face, it was technically advanced – all round disc brakes (inboard at the rear), sophisticated independent rear suspension and the lusty twin-cam 3.8-litre 6-cylinder engine putting out 265bhp were all on the spec sheet.

Initial test cars hinted at 150mph performance, making it the fastest production car in the world and it sold like hot cakes, over 70,000 finding customers before it was replaced 14 years after launch by the altogether softer XJS coupe.

This E-Type 3.8 Coupe dates from 1963 and has been in the current owner’s hands since 1975 when he purchased the car from the Somerset area. Over the years it has seen much restoration work, but has lain largely unused since 1996 due to a series of house moves.

The vendor and his wife undertook a trip to the Cote d’Azur in 1984, following which they entrusted a professional bodyshop to fit new wheel arches and sills and paint it Jaguar Racing Green. The buff logbook confirms that it was originally painted in Blue Mist, although it has also spent some of its life wearing Aubergine paintwork. The engine and gearbox are believed to be the originals, the engine itself being overhauled less than 1,000 miles ago with new Hepolite pistons, timing chain etc. It has a full length Webasto sunroof which is believed to have been fitted from new, bearing the supplier's plate, Kent Bros. of London.

Much work has continued since, including fitting new exhaust manifolds, a brand new stainless steel exhaust system, new radiator, new brake master cylinders, discs and pads, piston rubbers and a hi-torque starter. During its storage, the vendor painted the chrome trim to protect it against corrosion and has told us that the engine runs nicely and the car drives well although he advises that the braking performance still leaves something to be desired.

It comes with a number of useful spares, a new partial seal-rubber kit, its original radio (plus two spares), a very large quantity of invoices for components purchased since 1993 and a workshop manual along with the majority of its toolkit.

Driven to the sale, this appealing car ticks all the boxes – a sensibly priced, matching numbers, UK-supplied Series 1 FHC which is eminently useable as it is but would also be an excellent basis for a 100 point restoration should the new owner so desire. Early E-Type projects like this don’t come up very often, so grab this chance while you can. 

CATALOGUE AMENDMENT: Bidders are advised that this car now has a Heritage Certificate confirming that the number on the head is correct for the chassis. The vendor has been unable to find the engine number but believes it to be the original too. Bidders are asked to satisfy themselves as to the number on the block. It is confirmed as the 1023rd RHD Coupe built and will be having its 52nd birthday just two days after the sale! It is was declared manufactured in November 1962 but not dispatched until March 1963.

Please note that the car was originally delivered in Opalescent Dark Blue and not Sea Mist as catalogued.