Freshly restored matching numbers E Type 3.8litre Series 1 Coupe
Desirable late Series 1 – appears to be the 86th to last Series 1 3.8 coupe built
3.8 litre car fitted with upgraded fully synchromesh gearbox (original box included with sale)
Just serviced and set up on a rolling road
Full engine rebuild
Nut and bolt rebuild and respray recently completed by a Jaguar specialist
Retrimmed by Jaguar specialist BAS Trimming
Factory correct exterior red paint and burgundy leather interior trim
Three owners from new, one owner for 35 years
The Appeal
The E Type needs no introduction so lets get straight into what makes this car worthy of your attention. It is one of the very last Series 1 3.8 coupes built – Jaguar Heritage records indicate it was the 86th from last coupe – and is a matching numbers car.
Then there is the nut and bolt restoration covering mechanicals, running gear and bodywork, all by experienced Jaguar specialists. It has barely turned a wheel since the work was finished. When you buy a restored E Type you want to know that the work has been done properly by people who know these complicated cars. This one has.
It was restored by its owner of 35 years, a professional motor engineer, and then painted and reassembled by the Vendor, a Jaguar bodywork specialist. All trimming was done by Wales’ renowned Jaguar trimmers, BAS.
The rightness of that work is evident in the photographs. Everything is either new or freshly restored, right down to the bonnet hinges.
As a late 3.8 Series 1 car, in typical Jaguar tradition it incorporates some features of the later 4.2, like the dashboard. The Vendor has also fitted the later car’s more desirable all-synchromesh gearbox, although the original Moss box that was supplied with this car is sold with it. It is finished in its factory-correct red with burgundy interior. The newly rebuilt engine hasn’t even been run in.
It is a beautiful car and one that has had all the work done. It looks ready for a new life.
The History And Paperwork
Invoices showing all replacement parts for the rebuild
Three owners from new
First registered 25th June 1964
Same owner for 35 years
·Vendor owns the company that repainted and reassembled it so can provide plenty of extra history information on request
The Interior
Freshly retrimmed by a well known Jaguar specialist
All brightwork rechromed
Factory fitted 4.2 dashboard
Factory tool kit
Early E Types are beloved for the simplicity of their interiors, from the toggle switches on the dashboard to the bucket seats. As an early car this one has the lovely central starter button that provides an added sense of drama to the evocative process of firing up an E Type.
This car has been expertly retrimmed by a Jaguar specialist and is factory-correct right down to the finish on the wool-backed leather seats and the spacing of the boot bars. Even the period-correct radio and its factory fitted speakers look like new.
The refurbishment included replacing or rechroming all the brightwork inside the car. The dials also look either new or refurbished. The Jaguar Heritage records show that this car did leave the factory with a burgundy interior. Since the work has only just been finished it must be very close to how this car would have looked on the sunny day it rolled out of the factory in June 1964.
The Exterior
Professionally resprayed by a Jaguar specialist
Full nut and bolt restoration by engineer owner and the Jaguar specialist
All exterior chrome either replaced or rechromed
All suspension and body parts, such as hinges, either replaced or refurbished
New stainless steel wire wheels in superb condition
Sits on brand new classic Dunlop 15inch tyres
Brand new stainless steel exhaust
As one of the last 3.8litre Series 1 cars, this one looks as designer Malcolm Sayer originally conceived it. It has lovely detailing like the fared in headlights, over-bumper rear lights and two-piece bumper with recessed number plate that make these early cars so exquisite.
Inspecting the photographs of this pretty E Type it is safe to say that it must closely replicate the experience of buying a brand new one. What hasn’t been refurbished has clearly been replaced. The bodywork was professionally resprayed by the Vendor – who owns a specialist Jaguar bodyshop – and his firm has also reassembled it. Among the new parts were a factory supplied bonnet. The photographs show the depth of the work.
E Type doors are a notoriously troublesome area for any E Type restorer but the fit and finish on this car indicates the quality of the restoration. They look perfect, with clean lines down the car and consistent gaps all-round, including between the roof and door. That brand-new bonnet also lines up correctly with the scuttle, another painstaking job that reflects the skill of the restorer.
The brightwork around the car looks either new or restored and there is a new stainless steel exhaust. The complicated rear suspension and cradle have been refurbished and rebuilt.
The only blemish on the car perhaps indicates how good the work is because it is so minor. The chrome window frame on the passenger door has a small imperfect area.
The Jaguar Heritage paperwork indicates that this car left the factory with Pearl Grey paintwork and a burgundy interior. However, the Vendor states that there is no evidence that this car was ever that colour – the bodywork behind the dashboard and in other hard to reach areas was clearly red. It is not unusual for factory records to be incorrect but the buyer may wish to discuss this with the Vendor.
The car sits on brand new stainless steel wire wheels with classic Dunlop tyres. These look slightly wider profile than the rims on the original factory cars, but add to the purposefulness of this beautiful car.
The Mechanics
3.8litre straight six fully rebuilt XK engine still needs running in
All synchromesh 4spd E Type 4.2 gearbox
Original Moss box supplied with car
Has just been serviced
Carburettors rebuilt
Professionally set up on a rolling road
E Type purists like the early 3.8 cars because this engine is considered to be sweeter than later, larger versions of the venerable XK straight six engine. But these early cars came with the more cumbersome Moss box: later cars with the all-synchromesh gearbox can offer a more engaging drive.
This is a matching-numbers car with a fully rebuilt engine. The photographs show how good this big unit can look when it is correctly cleaned and detailed. This car has been retro-fitted with that desirable later all-synchro box, which perhaps gives the car the best of both worlds: the sweetness of the early, smaller motor with the driveability of that later gearbox. The original Moss box has been dismantled and is supplied with the car if the new owner wishes to return it to original factory specification.
The restoration included a full mechanical rebuild from the front to the back of the car. The preponderance of shiny new parts in the photographs and the clean underside pay testament to the effort and expensive that must have been involved. Even the vehicle identification badges appear to have been refurbished. The complicated rear suspension as well as the front suspension and the braking system have all been rebuilt, visible in the photographs showing the car’s correct, even ride height.
Unfortunately the service books and history were misplaced by the previous owner due to ill health.
Summary
The E Type’s reign as one of the most desirable classic cars of the last 60 years doesn’t look like being challenged any time soon. Its beauty and driveability secure its place.
When buying a restored E Type the quality of the work is key. This car has had a comprehensive nut and bolt rebuild stretching from the fared-in front to the delicate rear bumpers. The work was done by Jaguar specialists and its quality is evident in the fit and finish of the exterior panels and interior parts.
One of the last 3.8 coupes built, it combines the smooth power of these cars with the driveability of the all-synchro manual models. It looks ready to simply admire or drive and enjoy.
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.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
