Vehicle Description
We all know that Enzo Ferrari called the Series I Roadster "the
most beautiful car in world", that it came in three or four
incarnations and that the engine is a work of genius. So much so
that these have been campaigned the world over. A �fast-road'
specification offers spirited performance and, with good brakes,
better cooling and maybe a bespoke stainless steel exhaust manifold
is certainly a front runner in most classic events. Furthermore,
modern digital radios with blue tooth, fully re-upholstered seating
and electronic ignition makes for very useable motorcar indeed. And
this is all fine. But let's not forget the purists, the collector
who is looking for an early car; a car that would have rolled out
and onto a waiting transporter, its engine ticking over in the
Browns Lane loading area. A car envisaged, designed and finally
built by the man himself, Sir William Lyons. This is not just a
Series I E-Type but one of the now highly-prized 3.8 litre, �flat
floor' examples and with only 631 righthand drive �flat floor' cars
ever built out of some 72,515 E-Types, it is quite special.
Originally distributed through Jaguar Leeds in 1961 to H. Crossley
& Son Ltd. in Halifax, it appears to have been well used until,
sometime later, a comprehensive restoration took place involving
six full pages of parts used alone. 1993 saw a full engine rebuild
whilst in 1997, a brake master cylinder and servo rebuild took
place. Fast forward to 2014 and further works are detailed
including the renewal of seals, rubbers and hoses, clutch/brake
reservoirs, brake pads front and rear and a distributer kit, coil
and leads. As recently as April last year, both doors have been
stripped back and the door handles and catches have been re-set.
This includes striker catches and new brackets for the boot. Also
undertaken was a MoT test certificate and service including tuning
the carburettors. Sitting on chrome wire wheels, the overall
condition is very good, made all the more striking by the addition
of a period hard-top. The soft-top has recently been replaced and a
new service and MoT test certificate has been issued. Old English
White with a contrasting blue leather interior is a great
combination and sets off its lines beautifully. Is it the most
beautiful car in the world? As a flat-floor roadster with this
colour scheme, yes I think it is. For sale by auction on Saturday
23 September 2017 with Historics at Brooklands, Brooklands Motor
Racing Circuit, Weybridge, Surrey, Call 01753 639170
