No one can deny the beauty and importance of the Jaguar E-Type. 

It represents a huge leap in British motoring history and each surviving car deserves to be saved for future generations. Here’s an early Series 1 in left-hand drive form that certainly requires a loving hand in order to survive. It is a complete car with the original 3.8 engine and manual gearbox in situ. 

Untouched and unrestored, in the condition time and neglect have left it in just waiting for the right person to bring it back to its former glory.

Brought into the UK by an import company and promptly bought by the current owner in March 2020. 

Unfortunately, other projects at home have prevented work from starting on the car. There is no former history before landing on our shores but the very low mileage and present condition suggest it has been stationary for some time. 

The car is however complete and has the advantage of possessing a Heritage Certificate denoting that it does have matching numbers.

The original seats are still in place and the frames seem intact and sturdy. 

The dashboard and instruments are in place but it is unknown how much of the instrumentation is in working order. The door cards are rather poor but all the door furniture is still in place. 

The carpet has been removed to reveal the condition of the floorpans, both of which show obvious signs of corrosion with perforations on the passenger side. The hood still functions and the locking mechanism operates as it should. 

The hood itself is in a similar condition to the rest of the car but the frame seems to be in a favourable condition.

The extent of the corrosion is plain to see as there are areas of perforation, particularly at the sill level. 

It is important to note that all the panels appear to be original and nothing has been replaced from the day it rolled off the production line in 1961. 

The front wings and vast bonnet seem to have faired better than other areas of the car but it should be noted that the car has not been on a ramp for closer inspection at the time the photographs were taken. 

The car represents a full restoration project without a doubt, but there should be an opportunity to save a significant amount of the original panelling in the right hands. 

The chrome work and bumpers appear to be all there but in varying states. Again, hopefully, some of this can be saved. The wheels appear in fairly good condition and there’s an original spare still in the boot. 

We have been reliably informed that the engine is free to turn but has not been run. 

The motor is complete with all ancillaries attached. The gearbox is also in the car and it does select all gears from a stationary position. The Heritage Certificate indicates that the engine and gearbox are original to the car and again highlights the importance of saving such an original early version. 

It is impossible to establish the condition and functionality of brakes and suspension but it does appear that everything in these areas is present and intact.

This machine is simply too important to let slip away. It is original in every way and reassuringly complete. 

It represents an opportunity for someone who has the skill and patience to fully restore one of our most cherished sports cars. It isn’t a simple task by any means but the result can be truly superb and could represent a significant investment for the future. 

So, someone out there needs to do the right thing and breathe life into this once magnificent big cat.