Vehicle Description
By 1960, Jaguar's XK-150 sports car was beginning to show its age,
and Jaguar was gearing up to make a big splash with its
replacement. The XK series traced its roots back to 1948 with the
XK-120, and the time had come for a radical new car that would
recapture the magic that Jaguar's reputation was founded upon.
Company boss Sir William Lyons relied again on his proven strategy
of affordability combined with exotic looks and race-proven
technology. Lyons and his chief aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer drew
their inspiration from the Le Mans-winning D-Type, following a
similar formula by utilizing a semi-monocoque tub and ingenious
bolt-on front subframes to support the engine and independent front
suspension. The new "E-Type" was Jaguar's first road-going sports
car to be fitted with the modular independent rear suspension with
inboard brakes, pioneered on the Mk10 saloon. The E-type also
boasted such exotic tech as four-wheel disc brakes, torsion bar
front suspension, and a 3.8-liter version of the XK's twin-cam
inline six pumping out an impressive 265 horsepower; numbers one
would expect from a car costing twice as much. The all-new E-Type
first appeared to a stunned audience at the 1961 Geneva Auto Salon,
earning praise from the press, public and fellow automakers alike.
Beautiful and curvaceous yet with sporty aggression, the E-Type was
a smashing success from day one. Co-designer Sayer was fascinated
with aerodynamics and applied his experience with the D-Type toward
the new project. While not particularly aerodynamic, the E-Type was
stunningly beautiful would soon become one of the most celebrated
aesthetic designs of the 20th century. Thankfully, Jaguar gave it
the performance to back up the looks and a well-driven E-type could
easily hang with a contemporary Ferrari or Aston Martin, yet it
cost a fraction of the price of those exotic machines. Well over 50
years since its introduction, the Jaguar remains a motoring icon,
and no collection is complete without an example of one of the most
beautiful sports cars ever produced. This 1965 E-Type is a
desirable Series 1 4.2 liter OTS roadster, recently treated to a
comprehensive, nut-and-bolt, rotisserie restoration and refinished
in a handsome combination of cream over red leather. According to
the Heritage Certificate, this E-Type was completed on April 13,
1965, and dispatched to Jaguar of Eastern Canada ten days later.
The first owner is not recorded, but it is known that second owner
purchased this car in 1968, and lovingly cared for the car for the
next 42 years. He sold the car to the most recent owner in 2010,
who commissioned a high-quality restoration with Abacus Racing of
Virginia Beach, Virginia. Photos reveal the car was very sound,
complete and original and an excellent basis for restoration.
Following disassembly and media blasting down to bare metal, the
body was prepped and resprayed in a lovely shade of cream, which
was a factory offered color in 1965. Finish quality is excellent,
and the paintwork is well maintained. Body fit is very good, with
precise fitment of the doors and boot lid. Chrome bumpers and body
fittings are excellent, and the car rides on attractive chrome wire
wheels and new Vredestein black wall radial tires for a fresh and
crisp appearance. Following the body restoration, a new interior
was fitted in the factory original red color. In the process, the
seats were stripped, frames repainted, and restored with new
webbing and foam. New Wilton wool carpets and underlayment was
fitted, and the dash stripped and recovered in authentic German
vinyl, with correct-type Rexine used on the instrument panel face.
Proper textured materials are used on the sills and kickpanels,
while the door cards and center console retrimmed in red leather to
match the seats. Concurrently, the top frame was repainted and
fitted with a new top in tan Everflex. Since the work was completed
in 2013, the cockpit remains in excellent condition, with taut yet
supple leather and virtually no signs of creasing in the seats.
Along with the extensive cosmetic work, the restoration included a
comprehensive rebuild of all the mechanical systems. Receipts show
the original 4.2-liter engine was completely stripped down and
rebuilt beginning in 2011. Records also indicate the crank was
crack-tested and reground, and new forged Venolia 8:1 compression
pistons fitted along with stronger Series III connecting rod
hardware. The matching-numbers head was rebuilt, and the engine
cosmetics restored with new chrome hardware and beautifully
polished cam covers, intake, and carburetors. The gearbox and rear
differential were stripped, overhauled and resealed as needed, and
the suspension completely rebuilt with new bushings, dampers, and
hardware. The underside of the body is fully painted, and presents
in clean and tidy condition, with a new, high-quality Bell exhaust
system in stainless steel. The sale includes an original owner's
manual, jack and a large binder of receipts and photographs.
Beautifully maintained, and prime for events and touring, this is
an excellent opportunity to acquire a highly desirable 4.2-liter
Series 1 E-Type. With its outstanding restoration and performance,
this iconic Jaguar is sure to reward its next owner with many miles
of pleasurable motoring.