Description
This car is Lot 144 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale on 11 July, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Thursday 10 July from 09:00 until 17:00 and Friday 11 July from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Lot 144
1961 Jaguar Series 1 3. 8-Litre 'Flat Floor' Roadster
Registration no. 265 UYM
Chassis no. 850322
Rare 'flat floor' roadster
Delivered new in the UK
Matching numbers (body, chassis, engine, gearbox)
Professionally restored to concours condition
Present ownership since 2017
Offered from a prominent private collection
Despite having one of the most elegant and aerodynamically efficient shapes ever to grace a motor car, the E-Type's first iteration was somewhat lacking in interior space for the taller driver, a criticism addressed by the introduction of foot wells early in 1962. By this time, other more minor modifications had been made, such as deleting the external bonnet locks and adopting pressed-in bonnet louvres instead of the earlier welded-in type (which this car has). But of all the many versions of Jaguar's long-lived and much-loved sports car produced over the years, it is the very early 'flat floor' 3. 8-litre cars built prior to January 1962 which, for many enthusiasts, remain the most desirable.
The beautiful E-Type offered here is one of an estimated 400-or-so right-hand drive 'flat floor' roadsters built, of which it is believed around 170 still exist. Its accompanying Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate reveals that this E-Type was manufactured on 21st December 1961 and despatched to Henlys in Manchester finished in cream with red interior trim and black hood; chassis number '850322' is the 322nd of its type completed.
Acquired by our vendor at a UK auction in May 2017, '265 UYM' had been offered fresh from a no-expense-spared extensive restoration undertaken over a two-year period by Rothwell Engineering. Recognised marque specialists, Rothwell has exhibited its restored E-Types at the London Design Museum and has won the Autoglym Grand Final and Concours Champion of Champions: clearly, this car could not have been in better hands.
Work commenced on the bodyshell by mounting it in a rotating jig enabling ease of access for repairs and repainting. The bodyshell, bonnet, engine frames, doors and boot lid were all shot-blasted back to bare metal. Among the many other repairs, new flat floors were welded in; the inner sills replaced; new outer sills fitted; the boot floor renewed; and the transmission tunnel and cross members cut out and replaced. The bonnet support frame is new but the original bonnet centre panel was retained, complete with the early-style let-in louvres. The front under-pan, front wings, and the diaphragm panels supporting the headlights were all renewed.
After satisfactory alignment had been achieved, the doors, boot lid, bonnet, engine frames, picture frame and bonnet supports frame were removed and painted separately. Gunmetal Grey was the colour chosen, after the repaint had been completed Waxoyl was injected into cavities such as the sills, rear chassis legs, doors, bulkhead, and the tubular sections of all frames.
The entire front suspension system was dismantled, cleaned, overhauled with new components wherever necessary, and then refinished appropriately. New splined hubs were used and the steering rack overhauled with new bearings, etc. The rear suspension cage was stripped and overhauled and the differential carrier fitted with new bearings. Standard shock absorbers fitted with original springs were retained. New brake discs were installed.
The gearbox was rebuilt by Klassic Transmissions and the rest of the drive train overhauled and refinished. The car rolls on 15" stainless steel wire wheels shod with 185x15 radial tyres.
The engine was rebuilt by VSE in Wales, the cylinder head being converted to 'unleaded' compatibility in the process. All reciprocating parts were dynamically balanced and the major components repainted. The triple SU carburettors were rebuilt by David Lonsdale at Classic Carburettors, and new pipework installed between the new fuel tank and engine bay. The exhaust manifolds were blast-cleaned and refinished in heat-proof satin black paint, and a Bell stainless steel exhaust system installed.
The radiator was re-cored as an uprated unit, while the original cooling fan and motor were retained, the latter having been overhauled. A rebuilt water pump was fitted, as was a new mesh grille to protect the radiator.
The braking system was completely dismantled and thoroughly rebuilt, including the Kelsey-Hayes servo, and Kunifer cupro/ nickel pipe work fitted throughout. Greenstuff brake pads were fitted.
Turning to the electrics: a new wiring loom was installed and the wiper motor, dynamo and starter motor rebuilt. All lighting assemblies, including the Lucas PL headlights are new units upgraded with LED bulbs. All dashboard instruments and switches were stripped, cleaned, rebuilt and bench tested. The AM/ FM radio is a period item with auxiliary connection. New loudspeakers were fitted.
All interior trim was supplied by B. A. S. of Cwmbran, Newport, South Wales. B. A. S. retrimmed the seats but everything else was done by Rothwell Engineering. New period-style seat belts were fitted and the steering wheel rebuilt. All chrome trim parts were either re-plated or renewed.
Our vendor purchased the E-Type from a London auction in May 2017, since when it has formed part of his private collection, being kept garaged in concours condition. The car has covered only 100 dry miles since restoration, being driven occasionally and also started and run up to temperature. It comes with a Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate and a photographic record of the restoration together with a seven-page report detailing all the work undertaken and the key suppliers used. The vendor did not receive any related invoices; he was content with the restoration details, photographs and the car's condition.
A wonderful opportunity to acquire a sought-after 'flat floor' E-Type, professionally restored to concours condition.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
