1962 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Coupe

Highlights

  • Matching numbers example
  • Original colour combination
  • Original 1962 buff Logbook
  • Jaguar Heritage Certificate
  • Fabulous history
  • Extensive restoration in 2019/20

The Appeal

Any E-Type is an appealing prospect, but one like this doesn’t come along very often. Not only has it been cared for by the current owner for more than 20 years, but in that time they have maintained it meticulously and recently had the car professionally restored and refurbished, including a full mechanical recommissioning.

There is a phenomenal record of invoices and history, alongside manuals and memorabilia. Presented in its original colour of Opalescent Silver Grey with a contrasting red interior, this gorgeous and effervescent icon of British motoring is a simply stunning example of the marque.

The History and Paperwork

  • Full service and maintenance history
  • Engine rebuild at 32,000 miles
  • Restored between 2018 and 2020
  • Invoices showing more than £37,000 spent on restoration and maintenance work since 2003
  • Photographic record of the restoration
  • Extensive history file
  • Numerous old MOT certificates
  • Original 1962 Logbook included
  • Just 71,592 miles and 3 owners from new
  • Jaguar Heritage certificate confirming matching numbers and original specification
  • Current V5 present and correct

The Interior

  • Original red hide upholstery
  • Original seats
  • Factory dash with all original instruments
  • Three 1962 pennies on the centre console (removable)
  • Refurbished original steering wheel
Replete with its original red hide upholstery, the cabin of this E-Type coupé is a fantastic place to spend time. It's a parade of originality and 60s design flourishes. From the original seats, with their gorgeous level of natural patination, to the dashboard with its tranche of instruments and switches, it's like a love song to 60s sports car design.

Complementing that lovely red hide, the cabin is finished with bright red carpet, which presents in good order and shows no notable signs of wear or damage. Crucially, the all-important clutch kick-plate is still in position on the side of the transmission tunnel too. Personally, we adore the original knurled metal finish of the centre console, with its polished metal handbrake and nicely positioned gear shifter. The gaiter on the shifter is the original leather item and is perfectly usable, beautifully worn and has a great level of patina. Many owners many have changed it for a new item, but we love the fact it's been kept in place.

The rear luggage compartment is also in excellent original condition, the only minor issue being that a couple of the luggage strips are detaching from the carpet a little. Apart from this inconsequential issue, the interior is in great condition for a sixty year old car – and all the better for having been kept as original and unmodified as possible.

In 2020, the vendor had the original steering wheel refurbished to original quality by a specialist firm, resulting in the beautiful item that now adorns the cabin. With its stylish centre badge, motorsport-inspired 3-spoke design and classic thin wooden rim, it's a wonderfully tactile way to interact with the car.


The Exterior 

  • Professionally restored and resprayed
  • New inner and outer sills and floors
  • Finished in original Opalescent Silver Grey
  • Recent tyres
  • Wire wheels and spinners
With its achingly pretty curves and lines, the E-Type is a stunning car in almost any specification and condition. But when an example is presented as well as this one is, they become something truly special. Subject to a professional restoration and respray in 2019/20, and little used since (mostly due to the pandemic), to say this car presents well would be a grave understatement. 

Refinished in its factory colour of Opalescent Silver Grey, the paintwork is lustrous and wear a deep shine, while the bodywork is crisp and beautifully formed. There's certainly no evidence of notable blemishes, damage or corrosion - the restoration work has clearly been carried out to a very high standard,

Similarly, the brightwork is original and remains in very fine order, as do the lamp clusters, badging and other items of external trim. The only slight imperfection we noted is on the offside headlamp bezel where there is a slight dent, most likely from a stone.

Underneath, this E-Type presents just as well, looking to be in extremely good order. Everything looks to be straight and true, with no evidence of corrosion or damage that we could see.

As we mentioned, the vehicle has been meticulously and comprehensively restored, with a 'no expense spared' attitude. Some of the work undertaken includes:

  • 2014: New rear wire wheels and Avon tyres
  • 2019/20: Sympathetic complete bodywork restoration, including replacement of the inner and outer sills, complete new floor, strip down and rebuild of front end, removal of all glass and trim, full respray, replacement of rubbers and seals as necessary, complete rebuild (all work carried out by specialist restoration company Car Craft in Chichester)

As you'd expect, the results of this extensive work are clear and the car presents in superb overall condition.


The Mechanics 

  • Engine rebuild in 2003
  • Mechanical overhaul in 2014
  • Comprehensive mechanical recommissioning in 2020 
  • Refurbished suspension
  • Upgraded and improved brakes
  • Aluminium radiator upgrade
  • Dynatron alternator upgrade
Not only has the beautifully styled body been restored, but a lot of the mechanicals have also been thoroughly refurbished. Throughout its life, it hasn't wanted for anything. In 2003 the engine was found to be using a little more oil than usual, so the owner had it fully rebuilt. The work was carried out by VSE (a Jaguar engine specialist) and included a lead free conversion and carburettor overhaul to fast road specification.

Then, in 2014, the car was given another full mechanical overhaul. A new stainless steel exhaust system was fitted, along with front and rear suspension components, Cooper Craft brake callipers all round along with new discs and hubs. 

Another mechanical upgrade was made in 2016, when the owner had a Dynatron Alternator fitted by CMC Cars (a Jaguar E-Type specialist). The advantage of this is that, while it looks similar to the original dynamo, it offers a significant upgrade to the electrical system in terms of capacity and reliability.

Following the bodywork restoration in 2020, the owner had the vehicle mechanically recommissioned and MOT tested by K&N Classics, a specialist E-Type engineering firm. As part of the recommissioning, new adjustable shock absorbers were fitted, along with a high torque starter motor and the car was treated to a full service.

The cooling system of this E-Type has also been upgraded, ensuring cool running at all times. Certainly, when we viewed the car, the instruments indicated that everything was running just as it should.

It should be noted too how clean and well-ordered the engine bay is. It's beautifully presented and a great sign that this car has been pampered and cherished.

Summary

Ask anyone to name an iconic British car and it's almost certain the majority will say "E-Type". This beautiful sports car has seeped into the national consciousness quite unlike any other car. Revered and highly sought after, it remains a byword for beauty and grace in the automotive world.

Here we have what must be one of the finest examples in existence. Diligently maintained, carefully and professionally restored, while maintaining as much of the car's originality and character as possible, this is a rare and enviable machine. Finished in a simply wonderful specification, presented in excellent condition, and with the kind of history we wish all classic cars had, this is a truly exceptional car.

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification
  • Year 1962
  • Make Jaguar
  • Model Series 1 Jaguar 3.8 E type
  • Colour Grey
  • Odometer 71,592 Miles
  • Engine size 3781
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Location Wales
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
22 bids
  • ri•••• £104,000 04/09/22
  • Ba•••• £102,000 04/09/22
  • Ba•••• £100,000 13/09/22
  • ri•••• £100,000 04/09/22
  • Ba•••• £97,000 04/09/22
  • ri•••• £93,000 04/09/22
  • to•••• £90,000 04/09/22
  • ri•••• £85,000 04/09/22
  • Fa•••• £80,000 03/09/22
  • pa•••• £75,000 03/09/22
Message C&C Auction Team

The Gallery

The safest way to buy a classic car online

Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller. More about buying with us
Safe, secure payment process

About Max Bids

The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.

Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.

Anti-sniping

Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.

Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.

Auto-bidding increments

  • If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
  • If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
    • Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
    • We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.

Bid Amount Increment
£0 to £9,999 £100.00
£10,000 to £49,999 £250.00
£50,000 to £99,999 £500.00
£100,000 + £1,000.00

Automatically outbid immediately

When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.

You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.

Matching max bids

When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.

Pre-authorisation

We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.

What are pre-bids?

A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.

Problem with your bid

Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.