Description

1962 Jaguar E-Type S1 Roadster

Original UK model; various upgrades including 5-speed gearbox and Coopercraft brakes; factory hard top; Heritage Certificate; matching numbers

An overnight sensation, the E-Type completely stole the show when unveiled at the Geneva Salon in 1961 and its Malcolm Sayer-designed bodywork remains a show-stopper more than 50 years on.

Priced at a very reasonable £2,250 (around £38,000 in today’s money), it substantially undercut the likes of Aston Martin and Ferrari, cars against which it competed on more than even terms. Not just a pretty face, it was technically advanced – all round disc brakes (inboard at the rear), sophisticated independent rear suspension and the lusty twin-cam 3.8-litre 6-cylinder engine putting out 265bhp were all on the spec sheet.

Initial test cars hinted at 150mph performance, making it the fastest production car in the world, and it sold like hot cakes, over 70,000 finding customers before it was replaced 14 years after launch by the altogether softer XJS coupe. The vast majority of E-Types were made in left-hand drive form for the booming US market and of the 7,760 Series One 3.8 Coupes made, only 860 were factory right-hand drive.

A Heritage Certificate states the original date of manufacture was 22 November 1963 and this car was supplied via Henlys of London on 3rd December 1963.

Originally painted cream and fitted with black trim and soft top, it was first registered 110 PE. The engine number RA 4354-9 is on both the Heritage Certificate and the block in the car - while the head is numbered AD571.

Being a 1963 model, 3819 RW benefits from the revised deeper footwells introduced from June 1962 as well as the ability to slide the seats further back. It also has the attractive aluminium central console of the earlier cars before it was changed to a leather covering to save costs.

Little is known of the early history of the car and must have either been off the road for sometime or spent time overseas.

The history picks up with a series of invoices for a rebuild that took place between 1982 and 1984 by MetalCraft Developments for £12,515.50. The V5C shows it being first UK registered 11^th November 1985 following this rebuild.

In April 1994 it was repainted at a cost of £3,736.50 and sometime after this, Morris Minor Garages did considerable mechanical work including work to the engine and gearbox, clutch, suspension. It had a new bonnet fitted and repairs to doors, rear wings, windscreen and scuttle. In addition the interior was re-leathered, a new hood fitted and the car resprayed Carmen red.

The vendor purchased the car in 1999 and added invoices to support work carried out since, including;  a new steering rack, restored radiator with added Kenlowe fan, uprated Coopercraft disc brakes, uprated servo to a Series 2 spec, uprated starter motor and alternator added. It also benefits from being rewired and sporting reupholstered seats. VSE subsequently reconditioned the engine in 2000 at a cost of £2,283.61 and the car had a new front frame and 5 speed gearbox installed by E-Type Fabs.

This Series 1 Roadster has been well maintained by the current vendor and is ready for new adventures.

For more information - contact nigel.mainard@brightwells.com