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. The vast majority of E-Types were made in left-hand drive form for the booming US market and of the 7,760 Series One 3.8 Coupes made, only 860 were factory right-hand drive.

Supplied new via Murketts of Cambridge in August 1964, this particular E-Type (chassis number 861754) is the 45th from last 3.8 Coupe produced in right-hand drive (the last being chassis number 861799). A ‘matching numbers’ machine that still retains its original engine and Moss gearbox, it has had just five owners to date and was acquired by the current registered keeper in January 2008. It was treated to a total nut-and-bolt restoration in the late 1990s and has covered only some 4,600 miles since, the odometer being re-set to zero when it was put back on the road in 1998.

Although many of the restoration bills have sadly gone missing, even a cursory examination of the car reveals just how thorough the restoration must have been and the car presents extremely well both above and below. The Opalescent Golden Sand bodywork remains in excellent condition with exemplary panel gaps all round, and the red leather interior is equally impressive, as is the under-bonnet appearance with a beautifully detailed engine bay.

Various upgrades are apparent, among them a full stainless steel exhaust system including the manifolds; high-torque starter motor; electronic ignition; uprated fuel pump; electric cooling fan; Coopercraft brake calipers and vented brake discs. The chrome wire wheels still look virtually as new and are shod with very good tyres all round. A Tracker anti-theft system has also been fitted at some point.

Last on the road about four years ago, the car has just been thoroughly recommissioned to prepare it for sale including the fitment of a brand new steering rack and track rod ends, flying through its MOT in late April with no advisories recorded. It fired up instantly and ran beautifully when we were treated to a short test drive on the occasion of our visit, with excellent oil pressure and temperature and a notably slick and easy gearchange from the Moss ‘box.

It comes with a fair few bills detailing maintenance over the past 18 years since the restoration was completed and eight old MOTs from 2013 back to July 1998 (at 772 miles). A Heritage Certificate has also been applied for and should be with the car in time for the sale.

English right-hand drive 3.8 Coupes are now few and far between and seldom come onto the market, fetching ever higher prices when they do. This lovely ‘matching numbers’ example, with few owners and some sensible upgrades, ticks all the right boxes and could well prove a shrewd investment at the sensible guide price suggested.

AMENDMENT: Please note the vendor advises us that the speedo is not working on this car.