• No 162 of only 631 RHD Flat Floor coupés

• Matching numbers engine
• Engine & Gearbox rebuilt in 2003 and unused since

• Only one documented owner since 1971
• Remarkable barn-find! 

The Jaguar E-Type really does not need much of an introduction. The astonishingly graceful design has long booked its place in the annals of car design history, but unlike so many other iconic creations, the car has the substance to back up the aesthetics. Powered by the silky smooth and durable six-cylinder 3.8-litres, the car was not only one of the fastest cars available to the public in 1961, but was a genuine joy to drive. It proved to be comparatively easy to maintain and offered genuine practicality never seen in a sports car before. 

Officially confirmed as one an original Series 1 fixed head coupes, this flat-floor 1962 car with matching numbers has spent 50 years under the wing of the same owner. Kept in his garage for much of that period, the car has seen a lot of mechanical sympathy over his years of ownership, with the physical condition of the engine almost betraying its ‘barn find’ status. With a decent interior and documentation to prove its provenance, this solid car will offer someone a genuinely exciting restoration project.

#860162, number 162 of only 631 right-hand drive Flat Floor coupés ever produced, started life after leaving the Browns Lane factory in January 1962 and was subsequently registered in London by Henlys. After less than 9 years in 1971, the car was purchased by its last custodian with whom the car stayed with for the next 50 years! A Jaguar enthusiast from Guildford.  

Remaining in his private collection for the next five decades, the car comes some fascinating history and documentation. We are informed that the previous owner was both a skilled mechanic and competitive driver, and that this car was reported to have been raced at none other than the likes of Goodwood more than once. 

While we cannot account for every detail of what happened during its remarkable 50 years of single custodianship, it is clear that the car had a full and exciting life, including some competition history at racing events. According to the DVLA the car was last on the road in 1990 and since then has remained simply as part of a collection up until very recently, when the car was dug out of its slumber after the passing of its keeper. 

This was a monumental task as the car had been in the same barn for two decades and a collection had been built around it, which also consisted of all sorts of Jaguar related memorabilia and parts. In fact, an entire wall had to be demolished in order to gain access to the car! 

It is worth noting that this E-type flat floor is not the most original example out there, arguably due to the nature of the passage of time when cars were upgraded by their owners without any thought to retaining its originality, but also because this car has led an interesting life. The floors have bene replaced by indented footwell panels for example, most likely for practicality. Thankfully, this specific detail that makes the car so unique can easily be replaced, with the flat floor sections being easily obtainable. 
 
 Most importantly however, the car retains its original flat, non-scalloped rear bulkhead, something that only exists in original Flat-floor examples! 
 
 Several other parts, such as the gearbox, braking system, centre console and seats have been uprated to later specifications. In addition to this, the rear wings have seen metal arch modification. All of which point to an exciting history of competitive use in the early period. 
 
 Unused since the mid-2000s, the car has only come up for sale after the passing of its long-term custodian of 50 years, making this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  

What really makes the car special is the rarity of this particular example being one of very few flat floors ever produced. Not only this, however the Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate also confirms the car as a genuine matching engine/chassis number example. 

It comes with a handful of old MOT’s which help provide some clues on when the car was last used. The last MOT dates from 2006, which bodes well for anyone worried that the car has sat unused for too long. Its earliest MOT certificate documents come from 1974 and show a mileage of 56,728.

In addition, the car has a number of photographs, likely to have been taken when it was active and a series of notes and diagrams created by the last owner. A valuation document created in 2003, lists that the original braking system and gearbox have been upgraded to a Series 1 4.2-litre system. The car also had alloys wheels and Series 2 bonnet (all have since been replaced with original spec items) an interior re-trim, including later seats as well as several cosmetic changes.

The car comes with an HPI check, its current V5 as well as its original logbook, service manual and handbook. The logbook confirms that quite remarkably, this car has had only one previous owner since 1971, that's more than fifty years!

The original logbook suggests that the car may have passed through several owners in the '60s, but the current V5 states that the car has none prior to 1971.

The interior is largely complete, having been subject to an overhaul at some point in its life. The general conclusion is that the cabin stands up well. The seats are worn, with age-related marks, but ripe for restoration. They are replacements for the originals which should sport the thinner curved back style of seat. The carpets are complete and have lasted reasonably well. 

They are minor patches of dampness noted on the floor pan - probably due to the odd perished door seal but no significant signs of water collection. The door cards and chrome trim are in good shape and the sill trims and covers have not suffered from any real damage. The interior trim, rear deck and padding are generally good, with age-related wear. The car is fitted with a pair of functional internal bonnet locking levers, which also confirms its originality as an early car. The headlining is complete and is free from any major damage. 

The aluminium dashboard is believed to be original, with the centre console being an item from a later car. The top of the facia is good, with no cracks, just a little wear noted around the centre console. The dials and switches are in good order, they can’t be verified to be functional but have survived well. The bigger dials, such as the speedo and rev counter show bezel/glass damage but are not beyond restoration.

The steering wheel is good, with minor marks. The gear stick is presentable. Windows wind up and down with minor resistance. The boot retains much of its original trim and is in reasonably good condition.

Structure-wise, the car is remarkably solid. The floor pan, front bulkhead, subframe, sills and rear section look comparatively healthy. There is superficial surface rust, but a deep dive into the inner wings and body panels reveal a good base to start a ground-up restoration. The doors all open and close with no issues, the panel gaps, while not perfect are comparatively cohesive and point towards the cars previously well-kept condition.

 Perhaps irrelevant, but the car is free from any significant dents, but as mentioned the car has seen modifications to the rear arches. To the previous owner's credit, they have been built with metal panels and appear to be a decent job.

The non-original black paint is clearly not up to par, with flaking and scratches on every panel, but keep in mind that this is really a minor feature in the context of the car.  It has been confirmed to left the factory with an opalescent dark blue finish, a trace of which still exists on the underside of the dashboard. The car is missing its original bumpers, presumably removed to replicate the race inspired cars but the glass and its chrome trim are complete.

Both rear lights and one front headlamp unit are in place. It is also missing the off-side front indicator unit and grill embellishments. As mentioned, the wire wheels have been put in place to replace the alloys and are in reasonably good condition with no serious signs of damage or pitting. The 10-year-old Pirelli tyres are all in good order, with no significant wear or cracks.

The previous owner had logged in notes and technical guidance, suggesting that not only did they know what they were doing, but also confirming that the mechanical aspects of the car should be considered positive. This includes 2003 notes to an insurance broker to declare that the engine, gearbox and rear axle had been rebuilt.

However, while the car starts and runs, its mechanical durability cannot be verified but the good external condition of the engine and running gear is a plus point, with evidence of new parts and clean components. The current owner has sensibly suggested, for peace of mind, that the engine should be rebuilt but confirms that it turns over under its own power and maintains a healthy oil pressure.

It is smokey on startup but the engine runs well with no rumbling or rattling. The car does not leak, with no suggestions of oil or petrol seepage, again adding weight to the well-kept maintenance schedule that the car received from its last owner.

Flat-floor E-types simply do not come up for sale that often, and this solid and almost complete example is an ideal opportunity to obtain the purest of the E-Type coupes. Jaguars are well known for the availability of their parts, thanks to the heritage aspect of the brand. With plenty of advice, help and expertise on hand, the restoration of an E-Type is a comparatively straightforward mission. And one that will be handsomely rewarded.

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