To Be OFFERED AT AUCTIONEstimate:
$285,000 - $325,000
- Restoration completed in 2015; covered 400 miles since
- Retains numbers matching engine, gearbox, chassis, and
body
- Ultra-collectable early E-Type with external hood latches,
welded louvers, and flat floors
- One of the original 385 left-hand-drive roadsters with these
features
- Accompanied by JDHT certificate, JCNA judging sheets, and
tools
- Desirable first year of Jaguar's iconic E-Type
The Jaguar E-Type was a descendant of the Le Mans-winning D-Type as
channeled through developmental cars called the E1 and the E2A Le
Mans prototype. Following its hugely successful introduction at the
Geneva Salon, at which Enzo Ferrari described the new model as "the
most beautiful car ever made," Jaguar began taking customer orders
with export-only deliveries starting in April 1961. The first 385
left-hand-drive roadster bore unique external hood latches, welded
louvers, and flat floors without footwells. These cars are
increasingly prized by collectors today for their aesthetic detail
and rarity, comprising the purest expression of the original E-Type
design.
As the 195th left-hand-drive example built, this beautifully
presented roadster is one of the early cars equipped with external
hood latches, welded louvers, and flat floors. It was completed at
the factory on 10 July 1961 and dispatched 23 July 1961 to Jaguar
Cars of New York. Its first owner, R. F. Thompson of Dallas, Texas,
took delivery of the car on 28 August 1961. According to the
included Heritage Certificate, the car was originally finished in a
Bronze exterior with Biscuit-colored interior and Black top. As the
car sits today, it is finished in a stunning Opalescent Blue with a
Red interior and Blue top, the same color combination of the 1961
Geneva Motor Show stand car, as intentionally restored to
match.
The current owner purchased the car in 1977. Over the next 35
years, the car sat while the owner hunted down and purchased any
missing correct and date-coded components for the car. During this
time immense research was completed, studying the interesting and
obscure attributes that set the very early cars apart from later
E-types in order to ensure the restoration of the car was completed
to the highest standards. In 2012 the restoration began, with the
owner undertaking most of the work, including initial disassembly
of the mechanicals as well as the engine. All paint and bodywork
was completed by marque specialist Lindley Motors of Sanatoga,
Pennsylvania, at which time the owner began reassembly of the
Jaguar to ensure it was finished to the absolute highest standards.
The restoration of the car was completed in 2015, at which time it
was shown and judged at a national JCNA event scoring an
outstanding 99.970. Since its painstaking restoration, this E-type
has only covered 400 carefully driven miles, and it shows in the
Jaguar's top-notch presentation years later. The attention to
detail on this car provides a very unique opportunity to acquire a
rare piece of Jaguar history that gives an outstanding look into
the early production of the now iconic Jaguar E-type.
Included with the sale of this Jaguar E-Type are its JDHT
Certificate, JCNA judging sheets, tools, and spare.To view this car
and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM
website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/fl20.