1963 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8 FHC

Highlights

Beautifully restored with photos and invoices to detail
All mechanical work done by marque specialists
Including engine and gearbox rebuild
Bare metal respray
Approximately £40,000 spent
Beautiful 1963 car with desirable earlier aluminium interior
Attractive colour scheme

The Appeal

Jaguar continuously developed the E-Type. Consequently, the earliest Series 1 E-Types are particularly revered by aficionados as they are considered closest to the pure vision of Jaguar’s designers. The rule of thumb is that the earlier the car, the more sought-after it tends to be.

The Series I underwent various changes, including a switch to vinyl and leather dashboard trim in 1963 and the introduction of a fully synchromesh manual gearbox in 1964 with the arrival of the 4.2.

This 3.8litre Series I is has been restored and is detailed very much to the most desirable E-Type specification. So it has the engine-turned aluminium dashboard of the first cars and the more desirable later gearbox.

Marque specialists were tasked with the mechanical overhaul and cosmetic restoration. The work has just been finished so it is an opportunity to buy a box-fresh, carefully specified Series 1 3.8. Such opportunities are rare indeed.

The History and Paperwork

Early and desirable ally dash first registered in 1963
VIN records confirm this car was originally a Series I LHD FHC with 3.8 litre engine
Only 5,873 Series I FHC LHD 3.8litre cars were built
Re-imported from the USA around two years ago
Converted to right-hand drive
Restored and ready to be enjoyed by the new owner
Invoices and bills for recent work included in the file

The restoration work included:

New wiring loom
Gearbox rebuild
Engine rebuild
Full interior retrim
Fully resprayed in opalescent bronze metallic
New exhaust system
Instruments overhauled and refurbished
New carpets and headlining

The Condition

Bare metal restoration in opalescent bronze metallic
Sits on correct narrow profile chrome wire wheels
Beautifully retrimmed and detailed interior including period Phillips radio
Trimmed with pre-1963 aluminium dashboard
Webasto-style sunroof

Casting an eye over this immaculate car must feel much like it would have done in 1963 when the first owner saw it emerge from the showroom. It really is in exceptional condition, the quality of finish and absence of deterioration reflecting the level of work.

This is a USA market car that was blue before the current colour change. The interior has been retrimmed with the engine-turned aluminium trim of the very early 1961-1963 cars. This is a feature particularly venerated by E-Type enthusiasts and is pleasing to see. There are other surprise and delightful features around this car, but we’ll leave the photographs to tell that story.

The Mechanics

3.8litre XK straight six engine developing around 245bhp
Post-1964 fully synchromesh 4spd manual gearbox
Rebuilt engine and gearbox

The restoration of this car extended to a full mechanical overhaul as the photographs so effectively demonstrate. Alongside the rebuilt engine and gearbox there is an abundance of reconditioned or new fittings and ancillaries, including a full exhaust system.

As a 1963 3.8 this car would have left the factory fitted with a Moss manual gearbox. Enthusiasts prefer the later fully synchromesh version, which this car is now fitted with.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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