Highlights
- A fastidiously and professionally restored Series 1 E-Type in a superb overall condition
- Over £7,000 of parts and £16,000 of paint and body work have been expended
- Fully supported by a detailed paperwork trail and photographic restoration archive
The Appeal
Jaguar really hit the bullseye with the introduction of the E-Type in 1961. Not only did the car become an instant hit, partly by dint of its unrivalled performance per pound ratio, but it has gone on to dominate polls of the most iconic and desirable cars ever since. For many in the know, the Series 1 3.8L cars represent the purest and most desirable representation on the formidable E-Type concept.
This Series 1 Convertible is a July 1964 model so would be amongst the last of the 3.8L cars, with the first 4.2L cars arriving later that year. This is a remarkable example of the breed, too. It has undergone a highly professional, ground-up restoration with no aspect of the car being overlooked or left untouched. Our photographic package underlines the superb quality of the restoration work undertaken here, resulting in a car which in many ways must, surely, be better than the day it left the Browns Lane factory.
The History and Paperwork
- This E-Type was manufactured in Coventry in July 1964
- It left the factory in a left-hand drive configuration, destined for North America
- The car was supplied new to its first owner via the official Jaguar distributor in New York
- The car was bought and personally imported by its current owner in 2020
- Subsequently the diligent and thorough restoration was undertaken by renowned E-Type restorers
- This included a professional and seamless conversion to right hand drive
- The E-Type was registered in the UK for the first time in 2021
- The car is registered as a Historic Vehicle and, as such, is MOT and VED exempt
- The car is accompanied by some interesting and detailed paperwork
- This includes the current V5 in the owner’s name
- Despite being exempt the car does hold an advisory free MOT unit April 2023
- A Heritage Certificate issued by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust is present
- A paint and bodywork invoice is present detailing over £16,000 spent
- A multi-page schedule of works and parts manifest is also included
- The line entries amount to over £7,000 in expenditure
The Interior
- The interior is exquisitely finished and fully retrimmed in soft black leather
- The signature, arched back convertible seats are flawlessly presented
- Every other aspect of the interior is an equally fine and fully restored condition
To the unfamiliar, the interior of a Series 1 E-Type is a sensory revelation. It is delightfully endowed with buttons and gauges galore, together with a wealth of charming period detail. This sense of theatre combined with nostalgia helps make a ride, or a drive, in a Series 1 model such a memorable experience.
This fine example somehow seems to defy its age by offering an interior that both looks and smells like the cabin of a new car. Such is the quality of this completely restored and retrimmed interior. The rebuilt seats are surprisingly comfortable and supportive despite looking decidedly diminutive by today’s standards.
The black woollen carpets are edge bound in leather and fit beautifully throughout. The door cards are leather finished and dissected with a chrome trim and finished with high-quality, period correct chrome door furniture. The hood frame has been media blasted and professionally repainted for an optimum presentation.
The dramatic and impressive dashboard is finished in the familiar crackle-finished black signature paintwork. This is punctuated with the full complement of white on black Smiths gauges monitoring all key functions of the car’s mechanicals. The three spoked, alloy steering wheel is wood rimmed and centred with the now familiar Jaguar E-Type boss.
Behind the seats is a useful and fully trimmed luggage shelf. The wide but shallow luggage area is finished in the correct fitted vinyl mats, affixed by press studs in each corner. The wooden floor panel lifts to reveal the full-sized spare wheel, jack, and tools.
The Exterior
- The exterior is finished in deep and lustrous Carmen Red
- The car has benefitted from a £16,000 plus, highly professional respray
- The exterior presentation is excellent throughout and almost impossible to fault
- The panel gaps are impressively tight and symmetrical, no easy feat on a 58-year-old E-Type
The E-Type has topped poll after poll of the world’s best-looking cars and continues to feature a full 60 years on from its launch. Seeing this car in the metal will tell you all you need to know about this enduring success and popularity.
The exterior presentation of this fine example is sublime and the vibrance of the Carmine Red paintwork is stunning. During its extensive restoration it has been stripped back to bare metal with any less than perfect panels being either replaced or fastidiously repaired on a rotisserie. This was followed by a multi-stage, professional respray in its original red hue.
Its black hood is a newly fitted item of the highest quality. As such it presents in a faultless condition with an as-new rear window. The hood folds quickly and easily on its restored and refinished frame. A snug fitting hood tonneau cover is included and press studs easily in place to maintain aerodynamic integrity and promote neatness.
The chrome brightwork, light lenses and cabin glass are all in the fine condition that you would expect from a fully restored example of this quality.
The 15-inch chromed wire wheels are in pristine condition all round and are affixed with the correct, Jaguar inscribed, central spinners. The wheels are shod in a new and matching set of Vitour Galaxy R1, radial type tyres in the period-correct 185/R15 configuration. The tyres are finished with a fine, white line to the sidewall.
The whole ensemble is almost guaranteed to turn heads, raise smiles, and initiate conversations in equal measure. It’s a very hard car to turn your back on, such is the star quality of this E-Type convertible.
The Mechanics
- This E-Type is fitted with the purists’ choice 3.8L straight six engine
- The engine has been fully recommissioned and professionally rebuilt during the restoration
- It is fitted with the factory specification triple SU carburettor setup
The 3.8L engine was supremely powerful for its day producing around 265 bhp in standard trim, which was sufficient to give the E-Type class leading performance for its period. This is allied to a smooth and sophisticated power delivery which is very linear in nature.
In this example both the engine and gearbox have been fully restored and recommissioned to provide a car in a very well sorted mechanical condition. The car benefits from the factory specification triple SU carburettor set up.
The under-bonnet presentation of this E-Type is dominated by the sight of the three big SU carburettors feeding the 3.8L straight-six with its fuel-air mixture. The rest of the engine bay is pristine and positively encourages excuses to open the long, clam-shell bonnet and to enjoy the details.
The underside of the car is a revelation too as you will see from the photographic package. During the restoration the underside was returned to its factory-correct painted condition. A full, new stainless steel exhaust system has been fitted and all the suspension components have either been replaced, restored, or recommissioned.
Summary
E-Type enthusiasts are a knowledgeable bunch, so if you are in the market for a Series 1 of this calibre you will almost certainly know what to look for. The condition of this car and the quality of its restoration is instantly evident from the photographs and even more so when viewed in the metal. Our challenge, with this example, is finding anything less than first class to draw your attention to.
If you are looking for an E-Type that can be driven away and immediately enjoyed, or a car likely to be an instant prize winner at any self-respecting classic car show, then look no further. This is the one for you.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
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